It was held in Los Angeles, Miami, and San Diego in the United States.

The format of the tournament changed from 1998; it was expanded to twelve teams, split into four groups of three.

In the quarter-finals, Canada upset defending champions Mexico in golden goal extra time 2–1.

They defeated Trinidad and Tobago in the semi-finals 1–0 after Craig Forrest saved a first-half penalty.

[1][2] The tournament marks the only time a CONCACAF Gold Cup has been won by a country other than the United States or Mexico, and the only time in the tournament's history that neither the United States nor Mexico made to the semifinal.