Allstate named protector of CONCACAF Gold Cup
NORTHBROOK - The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football, or CONCACAF, announced today that Allstate Insurance Company will be the Official Protector of the Gold CupT trophy as it makes its way to some of the biggest soccer matches across the country.
The seven-city Gold Cup Trophy tour scheduled for this month, gives soccer fans across the United States the chance to interact with the Cup awarded to the winner of the region's pre-eminent men's national team soccer tournament.
Allstate, an official sponsor of the Gold Cup, will kick off the trophy tour today in Dallas ahead of the opening match at Toyota Stadium, during which defending 2013 champion United States takes on Honduras as part of a doubleheader, also featuring 2013 runner-up Panama versus Haiti.
"As Protector of the Cup, CONCACAF is confident Allstate can protect one of our most precious symbols - the Gold Cup Trophy," said CONCACAF Acting General Secretary Ted Howard. "The end result has yielded a great opportunity for fans at this summer's Gold Cup - the chance to get up close and personal with the trophy and truly enhance their experience."
The monthlong trophy tour culminates at the final matches in Philadelphia, July 24-26. At each stop along the tour, the Gold Cup Trophy will be displayed at Allstate-organized community events benefiting local youth soccer leagues and at the Allstate Fan Zone - a fun and interactive experience where fans can take part in family-friendly activities and meet soccer legends Adolfo Rios or Brian McBride before heading into the match.
"Soccer has some of the most loyal and passionate fans in sports. There's no better way to celebrate them than to provide exclusive access to the coveted Gold Cup Trophy," said Pam Hollander, vice president of marketing for Allstate Insurance Company. "It's a natural fit for Allstate to protect the Cup, just like we keep our customers in good hands, protecting them from life's uncertainties."
As part of the trophy tour, the Gold Cup will visit Dallas, Chicago, Kansas City, Charlotte, Baltimore, Atlanta and Philadelphia, in that order.
This year marks the first time Allstate has joined CONCACAF as a sponsor of the Gold Cup. The company has a well-established history of supporting soccer events in North America, including Major League Soccer and the Mexican National team, and is committed to aiding grass-roots community initiatives to help the next generation of soccer fans and players.
The 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup will be played from July 7-26, involving 12 teams from the region. Qualifying countries for this year's tournament are in alphabetical order: Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago and the United States.
The Gold Cup will take place in 13 cities across the United States and Canada. Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Toronto will all host group stage doubleheaders. Atlanta, Baltimore, New York/New Jersey and Philadelphia have been slated for knockout round matches, with the final match schedules set to be announced later this summer.
The winning team will qualify for a playoff to determine which CONCACAF team will participate in the Confederations Cup - a competition ahead of the World Cup which features the champion from each region of the world, as well as the host nation and the defending World Cup champion. Since clinching the Gold Cup in 2013, the United States has already qualified for the playoff, so a repeat performance this summer will automatically confirm its place in the Confederations Cup.
Taking place every two years, the Gold Cup has established itself as the region's most popular national team tournament, routinely drawing capacity crowds and millions of viewers across the region. The Gold Cup has been played 12 times since the inaugural edition in 1991.