The most important national team tournament in the CONCACAF region is here. The 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup will spread across the US with 13 cities hosting matches. It will all culminate with the final on July 26 in Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Let's begin our preview of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup with Group A.

GROUP A TEAMS & HOW THEY QUALIFIED:
Canada - Direct entry from North American zone
Costa Rica - Runner-up in 2009 UNCAF Nations Cup
El Salvador - 4th place in 2009 UNCAF Nations Cup
Jamaica - Champions of 2008 Caribbean Championship

NICKNAMES:
Canada = The Canucks
Costa Rica = Los Ticos
El Salvador = Cuscatlecos
Jamaica = The Reggae Boyz

MATCH LOCATIONS:
Home Depot Center - Carson, California
Columbus Crew Stadium - Columbus, Ohio
FIU Stadium - Miami, Florida

PLAYER TO WATCH:
Luton Shelton (JAM)

The striker for Norwegian club Vålerenga has quickly become the goal scoring beast for The Reggae Boyz. At 23-years old he is tied as Jamaica's all-time leading goal scorer and his two PKs against Grenada in the '08 Caribbean Championship Final sealed Jamaica's place in the Gold Cup. He has an excellent strike rate for Jamaica scoring 27 goals in 43 appearances. The Reggae Boyz will need him to be sharp if they want to advance out of the group.

OVERVIEW:
Costa Rica is the clear favorite to advance out of the group and should do so. Los Ticos are the best candidate to break the US-Mexico stranglehold on the trophy. If Costa Rica can display the same form in the Gold Cup that they have in World Cup qualifying than they will be in the final.

2nd place in the group is where the drama will come from as Jamaica, El Salvador, and Canada will battle for a quarterfinal spot. The Jamaican coaching situation is now settled with Theodore Whitmore at helm. Under Whitmore, Jamaica was stellar going unbeaten in 6 matches and not allowing a goal. El Salvador is the big surprise in CONCACAF and have shown big heart in the hexagonal stage of World Cup qualifying. Canada is hurt by the absence of Dwayne De Rosario & Adrian Serioux of Toronto FC but '07 Gold Cup MVP Julian de Guzman is coming off an encouraging season with Deportivo La Coruna and is the key to The Canucks attempt to win a 2nd Gold Cup title.

PREDICTION:
Costa Rica will win the group with El Salvador taking 2nd place and Jamaica advancing as one of the best 3rd place teams.

Tomorrow we will breakdown Group B of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup.