The CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage is set for this summer with some interesting match-ups in store.

The United States were thrown into a group with Panama, Haiti and one of either Honduras or French Guiana. The latter two sides will contest a playoff prior to the tournament to determine which side competes in the group. Based on recent history as well as its 2014 World Cup appearance, one would guess that Honduras winds up the team fighting in what should be a rather contentious group.

The U.S. is the favorite, but Honduras gave the team some trouble in the World Cup Qualifiers last summer and could trouble the Americans. Honduras is likely looking to get some revenge for its 3-1 loss in the semifinals during the 2013 Gold Cup.

Panama will undoubtedly have last year in mind and will seek revenge against the Americans for two reasons. Not only did the U.S. defeat Panama in the Gold Cup final back in 2013, but the Panamanians were minutes away from sealing a playoff berth for World Cup qualification. However, two late U.S. strikes eliminated Panama and handed Mexico the final qualifying spot in the CONCACAF.

Haiti is likely along for the ride. In 2013, the team failed to get out of the group stage and only managed one win in three games.

Costa Rica leads Group B which also includes co-host Canada, Jamaica and El Salvador. Costa Rica, which had a tremendous World Cup (the best in the entire CONCACAF) is the runaway favorite in this group. Jamaica could give it some trouble, while Canada and El Salvador will likely be fighting for third place in the group. Canada might be a co-host, but the nation has not had a strong track record in recent years. In 2013, the team managed one draw in the group stage and finished fourth out of four in Group A behind Panama, Mexico and Martinique, a team that is not even in this tournament. Meanwhile El Salvador finished third in its group in 2013 and was destroyed 5-1 by the U.S. in the quarterfinals. Count on El Salvador finishing third in this round and managing a deeper run that Canada.

Mexico gets arguably the least competitive group of all with Guatemala, Trinidad and Tobago and Cuba as its competition. Cuba managed three points in the competition in 2013 but was blown out 6-1 by Panama in the quarterfinals. Trinidad and Tobago got out of its group in 2013 but fell against Mexico 1-0 in the quarterfinals. Finally Guatemala did not even qualify for the tournament in 2013 and is seen as the team likely to be the punching bag of the group.

Of the three groups, there is no denying that Group A is the "Group of Death." The defending champion USA is likely up against a World Cup side and the team that it narrowly beat in the final last season.

The U.S., unlike Mexico and Jamaica, will not be in the Copa America, something that could prove an advantage to the Americans. Jamaica is unlikely to send its top squad to Chile as it will likely use its top recruits to win this tournament (which it undoubtedly has a better chance at claiming). Mexico, however, might feel that it benefits its "Golden Generation" to play against tougher competition in Chile so that the team can grow and develop. Moreover, the team has enough young talent to help it make a deep run in the Gold Cup; this alone might make Mexico confident in sending its top players to Chile. This scenario played out in this manner in 2013 when Mexico sent its top players to Brazil for the Confederations Cup while essentially using a B-team for the Gold Cup.

However, as was the case in 2013, that move left Mexico with either trophy. If Jurgen Klinsmann uses his top players in this tournament, he should have no difficulty in winning it all.

The Gold Cup, which will take place across 13 U.S. cities and Toronto, starts on July 7 and runs through the 26. That means the tournament ends after the hotly anticipated Copa America in Chile. Soccer fans are sure in for an active summer, though it will certainly be hard to top 2014 when the World Cup was on full display.