The 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the fourth edition of the Gold Cup, the soccer championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF). The tournament was once again held in the United States, in Los Angeles, Miami, and Oakland. The format of the tournament changed from 1996: it was expanded to ten teams, with four in Group A and three each in Groups B and C. The top team in each group, plus the second place in Group A would advance to the semifinals. Brazil was invited again, and brought their senior team this time. Jamaica, getting ready for the 1998 World Cup, pulled the stunner of the first round. They did not originally qualify for the tournament, but Canada withdrew, granting them a spot. Jamaica then topped Group A over Brazil (they tied the South Americans 0–0). In the semi-finals, the United States beat Brazil, as Preki scored the lone goal and Kasey Keller preserved the clean sheet. The United States could not repeat that performance in front of a pro-Mexican final crowd in Los Angeles. Mexico won their third straight Gold Cup, 1–0, on a Luis Hernández goal. Qualified teams Notes: Qualification play-off A playoff between Cuba, the runner-up from the 1996 Caribbean Cup and Saint Kitts and Nevis, the runner-up from the 1997 Caribbean Cup, was held to determine which nation would qualify for the 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Venues Squads The 10 national teams involved in the tournament were required to register a squad of 20 players; only players in these squads were eligible to take part in the tournament. Group stage Group A Group B Group C Knockout stage Bracket Semi-finals Third place match Final Statistics Goalscorers 4 goals Paulo Wanchope Luis Hernández 3 goals Romário 2 goals Giovane Élber Juan Carlos Plata Paul Hall Cuauhtémoc Blanco Stern John Jerren Nixon Preki 1 goal Edmundo Austin Berry (footballer) Wilmer López Roy Myers Allan Oviedo Luis Martén Eduardo Sebrango Edwin Westphal Carlos Pavón Marcus Gayle Fitzroy Simpson Andy Williams Ramón Ramírez Francisco Palencia Clint Marcelle Joe-Max Moore Eddie Pope Roy Wegerle Eric Wynalda Awards Winners Individual awards References External links Official tournament results 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup at RSSSF Gold Cup CONCACAF Gold Cup 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments