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The 2017 Gold Cup soccer tournament of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) kicks off in New Jersey this Friday starting a series of matches which leads up to a knock-out semi-final round in the Rose Bowl on July 23.

This years Gold Cup tournament the 14th edition will be played at 14 different stadiums across the United States from July 7 to 26.

Established on September, 18, 1961, the Gold Cup organized by CONCACAF was held once after every two years. Last time it was staged in 2015, the tournament was hosted by the United States. In 2015, a total of 26 matches including the final match were played in 14 different venues in the United States.

This year, nine stadiums will be used in the group stage with each stadium hosting two games from the same group on the same day.

Two stadiums will host the quarterfinals with each stadium hosting two quarterfinal games on the same day. The semi-final games will be played on July 22-23 with the winners advancing to the final match on July 26.

Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey will be the venue of the first two games on July 7 with French Guiana going against Canada in the first game of the tournament.

The second games for Group A will be played at Houstons BBVA Compass Stadium. Group A concludes at the Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The three stadiums to be used in the Group A games are the only soccer-specific stadiums to be used in the tournament. The 2017 Gold Cup will feature four first-time hosts: Alamodome (San Antonio, Texas); FirstEnergy Stadium (Cleveland, Ohio); Levis Stadium (Santa Clara, California); and Nissan Stadium (Nashville, Tennessee).

Returning in 2017 are ten previous Gold Cup host venues: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (2009, 2011, 2013); BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas (2013, 2015); Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2009, 2015); Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California (1996, 2000); Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida (2011); Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey (2011, 2013); the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California (1991, 2002, 2011, 2013); Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado (2013); Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas (2015); and University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (2009, 2015).

The winner of the 2017 Gold Cup will be assured a spot in the next CONCACAF Cup, a single knockout game to qualify for the 2021 FIFA Confederations Cup, unless that same team claims the 2019 edition of the Gold Cup.

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Pasadena Now Gold Cup Soccer Tournament Kicks Off Friday ... - Pasadena Now