2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Lore & Background

The United States' Landon Donovan put four past Cuba in the quarterfinals in a 5–0 win, but the defending champions went out to Brazil in the semi-finals. The South Americans scored a goal in the 89th minute and added a penalty in extra time to win 2–1. Mexico won their first championship since 1998, beating Brazil 1–0 in extra time.

In Their Own Story

The air in Foxboro was thick with summer heat and the roar of a crowd that had chanted for ninety minutes, then extra, then the final whistle. The scoreboard read 3–2, and the green-and-white shirts were already a blur of celebration. Cuauhtémoc Blanco, still in his boots, was hoisted onto shoulders by teammates who had sprinted the full length of the pitch. Omar Bravo, his face streaked with grass and sweat, pointed toward the stands where a sea of green flags waved in unison. Hugo Sánchez stood at the edge of the technical area, arms crossed, jaw set, letting the moment wash over him before the trophy was lifted high above the Foxboro lights. Somewhere in the crowd, a father held his daughter above his head, both of them screaming the same two words: *México, México.* The night belonged to them.

Reader's Guide

The 12 national teams involved in the tournament were required to register a squad of 18 players; only players in these squads were eligible to take part in the tournament. There were 50 goals scored in 20 matches, for an average of 2.5 goals per match. The following Gold Cup awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament: the Golden Boot (top scorer), Golden Ball (best overall player) and Golden Glove (best goalkeeper).

Did You Know?

• The tournament was held in both the United States and Mexico for the first time since 1993.
• Brazil sent an Under-23 team as an invited nation.
• Landon Donovan scored four goals in a single match against Cuba in the quarterfinals.
• Mexico won their first Gold Cup championship since 1998.