U.S., Mexico, Costa Rica drawn into different CONCACAF groups

NEW YORK — Two-time defending champion United States will face Honduras, Haiti and Grenada in Group B of this year's Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football Gold Cup.

The Americans will open against Grenada on July 4 in Seattle, CONCACAF said Thursday in a statement. They will face Honduras on July 8 near Washington and Haiti on July 11 outside Boston.

Mexico was put into Group C along with Nicaragua, Panama and Guadeloupe, and will play its opening match on July 5 against the Nicaraguans in San Francisco. Group A opens the tournament on July 3 with Costa Rica facing El Salvador and Canada taking on Jamaica in Los Angeles.

"We're excited at having created these groups. They are well balanced and will provide very interesting matches," CONCACAF general secretary Chuck Blazer said. "Given the variety of teams and the cities we're going to, it offers something for everyone."

The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals along with the two best third-place teams.

The Gold Cup final is scheduled for July 26 at Giants Stadium outside New York. Matches will also be played in cities such as Chicago, Miami, Philadelphia and Dallas.