The biggest 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 now preview Group C.

GROUP C TEAMS & HOW THEY QUALIFIED:
Guadeloupe - 3rd place in 2008 Caribbean Championship
Mexico - Automatic qualifier from North American zone
Nicaragua - 5th place in 2009 UNCAF Nations Cup
Panama - Champions of the 2009 UNCAF Nations Cup

NICKNAMES:
Guadeloupe = Gwada Boyz
Mexico = El Tri
Nicaragua = Los Pinoleros or Albiazules
Panama = La Marea Roja or Los Canaleros

MATCH LOCATIONS:
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum - Oakland, California
Reliant Stadium - Houston, Texas
University of Phoenix Stadium - Glendale, Arizona

PLAYER TO WATCH:
Carlos Vela (MEX)

The Arsenal forward will be wearing the #9 for El Tri and could use this tournament to establish himself as Mexico's best player. With no Cuauhtemoc Blanco and no Rafael Marquez, Carlos Vela is set up to become the new face of Mexican football. He's has been quiet in World Cup qualifiers and the Gold Cup could be the stage for him to breakout.

OVERVIEW:
Mexico is the clear class of the group but their form in qualifying is worrying and they could be pushed for a quarterfinal spot. The other quarterfinal spot will come down to Panama & Guadeloupe. The Gwada Boyz will be without 2 main players from their surprise semifinal run in 2007. Jocelyn Angloma & David Sommeil are out so it will be much harder for Guadeloupe. Panama is an emerging power in Central America as they captured the 2009 UNCAF Nations Cup. The strike force of Blas Perez & Luis Tejada will present problems to defenses.

PREDICTION:
Mexico will win the group with Panama qualifying in 2nd place. Guadeloupe's experience will help them to one of the quarterfinal spots as a 3rd place finisher.

There it is the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup groups. Keep logging on to Mad About Futbol to get the info on the Gold Cup and tell us what you think.