Gold Cup: The 10 stars you need to know with CONCACAF's marquee event on the horizon

Clint Dempsey, Hector Herrera, Celso Borges-Gold Cup

CONCACAF's marquee competition kicks off on July 7. For comprehensive 2015 Gold Cup coverage, bookmark this page.
While we don't have time to profile every star set to take the tournament by storm, here are 10 that you will get to know over the next month.



Giles Barnes, Jamaica

Gold Cup: The 10 stars you need to know with CONCACAF's marquee event on the horizon -

This new-look Reggae Boy put on a show in MLS for the Houston Dynamo before leaving for Copa America in June, where he appeared in all three games for Jamaica. The former England youth international scored in his first match for his new country against Venezuela in March.

Celso Borges, Costa Rica


After being a main cog in the Ticos' run to the World Cup quarterfinals last summer, Borges spent the 2014-15 season on loan to Deportivo La Coruna in La Liga. The central midfielder helped the club avoid relegation and will sign on long-term. The 27-year-old has an incredible strike rate with his national team, scoring 19 goals in just 78 appearances.


Michael Bradley, USA

Gold Cup: The 10 stars you need to know with CONCACAF's marquee event on the horizon -

The General will hit the Century Mark for the Stars & Stripes when the US face off with Honduras in the team's opening Gold Cup game. Bradley is having a resurgent season with Toronto FC, finding a new home in a more advanced position. His partnership with fellow US international Jozy Altidore at the club level should prove fruitful for USMNT in this tournament.

Clint Dempsey, USA


It hasn't been the greatest month for the USMNT captain, as an incident in the U.S. Open Cup forced him three Seattle Sounders games due to suspension before joining up with the national team. Dempsey now has a chance to get the PR going the other way with a big Gold Cup. Deuce's last appearance in the tournament in 2011 led to three goals and a run to the final.


Hector Herrera, Mexico


The latest Mexican star midfielder made a name for himself on the world stage in the past year, as he helped lead FC Porto to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League. The Tijuana-born player started all four games for Mexico at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.


Kenwyne Jones, Trinidad & Tobago


Jones is a name familiar to English Premier League fans. While he spent 2014-15 in the Championship with Cardiff City and Bournemouth, the Trinidadian spent the previous seven seasons in the EPL with Sunderland and Stoke City. He scored 40 goals over 193 EPL appearances with the two clubs.

Gold Cup: The 10 stars you need to know with CONCACAF's marquee event on the horizon -

Andy Najar, Honduras


The 2010 MLS Rookie of the Year made a seamless move to Anderlecht back in 2013, flourishing with Belgian giants. The 22-year-old has been a fixture in the starting XI for his new club and scored eight goals last season, including one against Arsenal in the Champions League.


Jonathan Osorio, Canada


The Toronto FC Homegrown player cemented his place in the starting lineup over the first half of 2015, starting 12 of his hometown club's 15 games. Now's the time to show off his exceptional technical ability in the Canadian midfield on CONCACAF's big stage.


Jaime Penedo, Panama


Every two years Penedo looks at the calendar and begins licking his chops. The legendary Panamanian goalkeeper led Panama to the Gold Cup final in 2005 and 2013 and was named the top goalkeeper in each tournament. The LA Galaxy locked him up after his performance in the 2013 Gold Cup.

Gold Cup: The 10 stars you need to know with CONCACAF's marquee event on the horizon -

Carlos Ruiz, Guatemala


This legendary striker just won't go away. El Pescadito returns to the States after scoring 25 goals for Municipal during the 2014-15 Liga Nacional season. The 2002 MLS MVP is well-known in North American circles for his lethal finishing and somewhat unorthodox tactics.