NEW YORK, CMC
THE Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) has entered into a partnership with Soccer United Mar-keting (SUM) for the organisation, marketing and promotion of the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
CONCACAF and SUM will join forces and work closely together to design and execute operations, marketing and promotional plans for the 2005 edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, one of the world's premier soccer tournaments which crowns the Confederation's top national team.
Currently held on a biannual basis in July of odd-numbered years, the eighth edition of the Gold Cup in 2005 is scheduled for in the USA from July 6-24, with host venues to be announced soon.
Mexico have been crowned CONCACAF Gold Cup champions four times, the United States have won on two occasions and Canada captured the 2000 edition.
"Since 1991, the CONCACAF Gold Cup has grown considerably in both the level of competition and prestige," said CONCACAF general secretary Chuck Blazer.
"This partnership with Soccer United Marketing brings together the expertise of both organisations to further elevate the Gold Cup to even greater heights on a par with other top continental competitions around the globe," Blazer said.
The 12-team field of the 2005 Gold Cup will be comprised of 10 CONCACAF nations and two invitees.
The 10 CONCACAF countries will include three teams to emerge from the Caribbean qualifying, four from Central American qualifying and three automatic qualifiers from the North Zone - Canada, Mexico and USA.
