I’m Kevin Baxter, the Times’ soccer writer, and we begin today with the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The Gold Cup is held in odd-number years and in 2017 it began about eight months after the final round of World Cup qualifiers had started. With that competition scheduled to start 32 days after the Gold Cup final this year the region’s two giants, the U.S. and Mexico, have given their biggest stars the summer off and will send ‘B’ teams to the Gold Cup. Most of the other 20 players on the Gold Cup team need a big tournament to improve their chances. AdvertisementThe signing of Álvarez’s extension reportedly has been delayed by his departure last week to join Mexico’s Gold Cup team.

Source: Los Angeles Times July 06, 2021 12:56 UTC