Gold Cup schedule announced; Canada will face Panama or Jamaica on Nov. 22nd

New York, USA – CONCACAF has announced the schedule of matches in the 2006 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup™ following a draw held on Monday at the offices of the CONCACAF General Secretariat in New York City, USA.



The third edition of the Women’s Gold Cup will have Canada, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago and USA competing for the CONCACAF title along with two guaranteed spots in the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup in China.



In first round action, Mexico will play against Trinidad & Tobago with Panama having been drawn to face Jamaica. Both these first round encounters will take place at the Tropical Park Stadium in Miami, Florida on Sunday November 19th, 2006.



Canada will play Panama or Jamaica for World Cup birth on November 22nd



The victors in these two first round games will then advance to the semifinals of the event with the winner of Panama vs. Jamaica drawn to play against Canada while the team advancing from Mexico vs. Trinidad & Tobago will meet reigning Women’s Gold Cup Champions, USA. The semifinals take place on Wednesday November 22nd at The Home Depot Center on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills (Carson, California).



Tournament play concludes with the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup™ Final and a third-place play-off game on Sunday, November 26th, also to be held at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California.



The Champion team and the runner-up will automatically qualify to the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup in China. The third-place finisher in the CONCACAF event will face Japan (from the Asian Football Confederation) in a home-and-away playoff for the final berth in the FIFA tournament.



“I watched the results of the draw with excitement – as this represented a first time open draw for Gold cup and World cup qualifications on the Women’s side. By drawn into a semifinal against either Panama or Jamaica, we are cleary going to face an opponent that has proved much improvement since last time around. Both teams won their first stage groups, with Panama eliminating normal 4th ranked team Costa Rica,” said Head coach Even Pellerud.

“Our team has an extensive fall schedule leading up to the crucial tournament in November, and we will be well prepared for these encounters – knowing that another participation in World cup will further develop soccer in our country.”



For additional informationon the 2006 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup, visit: www.concacaf.com



2006 CONCACAF WOMEN’S GOLD CUP™ SCHEDULE:



First Round – Tropical Park Stadium; Miami, Florida

19 November 2006

PANAMA – JAMAICA (17:00)

MEXICO – TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (19:30)



Semifinals – The Home Depot Center; Carson, California

22 November 2006

CANADA – PAN/JAM (16:30)

USA – MEX/TRI (19:00)



Finals – The Home Depot Center; Carson, California

26 November 2006

Third Place (Semifinal Losers) (15:00)

Championship (Semifinal Winners) (17:30)



CONCACAF WOMEN’S GOLD CUP™ HISTORY

YEAR – CHAMPION – RUNNER-UP – VENUES

2000 – USA – Brazil – Foxboro, Hershey, Louisville (USA)

2002 – USA – Canada – Fullerton, Pasadena, Seattle (USA); Victoria (CAN)