The CONCACAF Gold Cup is off to an exciting start with a surprising performance by the National Team of Haiti against Panama in a match that ended up in a 1 – 1 tie. Until recently, Haiti was considered a CONCACAF minnow, but yesterday’s match proved that the team from Hispaniola is determined to go the distance in the Gold Cup.

The second match between the United States and Honduras almost ended with a draw, but the North American team was able to hold off the Honduran attacks to win the match 2 – 1 with both goals by veteran striker Clint Dempsey.

Tonight’s match between Costa Rica and Jamaica will be the debut for both national teams in the Gold Cup. The match will take place in Carson, California, where the national teams of Canada and El Salvador will also hold their opening match.

Costa Rica is under great pressure to win the Gold Cup by virtue of La Sele’s amazing run at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil; however, the recent and vertiginous drop in FIFA rankings have some fans worried about the team’s ability to be crowned CONCACAF champion.

Here is the remaining Gold Cup schedule, which is being hosted by the United States and Canada:

Wednesday, July 8

• Costa Rica vs. Jamaica in Carson, Calif. (Group B), 8 p.m.
• El Salvador vs. Canada in Carson, Calif. (Group B), 10:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 9

• Trinidad and Tobago vs. Guatemala in Chicago (Group C), 7 p.m.
• Mexico vs. Cuba in Chicago (Group C), 9:30 p.m.

Friday, July 10

• Honduras vs. Panama in Foxborough, Mass. (Group A), 6 p.m.
• United States vs. Haiti in Foxborough, Mass. (Group A), 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 11

• Jamaica vs. Canada in Houston (Group B), 6:30 p.m.
• Costa Rica vs. El Salvador in Houston (Group B), 9 p.m

Sunday, July 12

• Trinidad and Tobago vs. Cuba in Glendale, Ariz. (Group C), 6:30 p.m.
• Guatemala vs. Mexico in Glendale, Ariz. (Group C), 9 p.m.

Monday, July 13

• Haiti vs. Honduras in Kansas City, Mo. (Group A), 7 p.m.,ç
• United States vs. Panama in Kansas City, Mo. (Group A), 9:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 14

• Jamaica vs. El Salvador in Toronto (Group B), 6 p.m.
• Canada vs. Costa Rica in Toronto (Group B), 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 15

• Cuba vs. Guatemala in Charlotte, N.C. (Group C), 6 p.m.
• Mexico vs. Trinidad and Tobago in Charlotte, N.C. (Group C), 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 18

• Group A winner vs. Group B or C third-place in Baltimore (Quarterfinal 1), 5 or 8 p.m.
• Group B winner vs. Group A runner-up in Baltimore (Quarterfinal 2), 5 or 8 p.m.

Sunday, July 19

• Group C winner vs. Group A or B third-place in East Rutherford, N.J. (Quarterfinal 3), 4:30
• Group B runner-up vs. Group C runner-up in East Rutherford, N.J. (Quarterfinal 4), 4:30

Wednesday, July 22

• Quarterfinal 1 winner vs. Quarterfinal 2 winner in Atlanta (Semifinal 1), 6 p.m.
• Quarterfinal 3 winner vs. Quarterfinal 4 winner in Atlanta (Semifinal 2), 6 p.m.

Saturday, July 25

• Semifinal losers in Chester, Pa., 4 p.m.,

Sunday, July 26

• Semifinal winners in Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.,