CHICAGO, Illinois — Even those seasoned football executives who have seen it all have given the ongoing CONCACAF Gold Cup

a passing grade.

They all agree that the 2013 edition of CONCACAF’s flagship tournament was an organisational, attendance, corporate and

footballing success.

Reflecting on the Gold Cup prior to today’s final which will see the USA taking on Panama at Soldier Field at 3:00 pm, members of the CONCACAF family, and even those outside of it, are beaming with pride of a tournament that is poised to exceed all expectation in the final analysis.

FIFA Director and President Joseph ‘Sepp’ Blatter’s point man here, Walter Gagg, deemed it a “tremendous organisational success”.

“What was also wonderful was the high level of spectators for soccer matches in the USA. We (at FIFA) can be very proud of what CONCACAF has done. I have seen many World Cups starting in 1982 and I can confirm that CONCACAF has done a wonderful job with the local organising committees from the different cities,” the Swiss told the Sunday Observer.

President of the Cuban Football Federation, Luis Hernandez, took particular pride in the high quality of play among the 12 teams.

“What was good is that we had the best 12 teams and the best players from CONCACAF. Some big-name players didn’t come, but still we had 96 players who play outside of our region, and that’s why the quality of play was so good.

“Also, we had a high-level event and it was great to see the participation of fans which was very good compared to the past,” he said through an interpreter.

Puerto Rico football boss, Eric Labrador, said the championship “exceeded all expectations”.

“We demonstrated that we can do a high-level tournament, and with our president (Jeffrey Webb) and general secretary (Enrique Sanz), we showed that we have the people to lead, the organisation, the professionalism, the marketing, the money and corporate support to stage a big competition.

“Now I think South America and Europe are watching what CONCACAF is doing. But all of this is a result of the new vision of the new CONCACAF and the new leadership we have,” he said.

Grenada Football Association President Cheney Joseph said the Gold Cup experience has been “mind-boggling”.

“As one who has worked as a match commissioner at the quarter-finals and semi-finals, I must say that the general co-ordination has been spotless.

I must say the president and the general secretary have done a great job finding the individuals who have been working with them. The thing is, most of these people are not new to football, so it must be the leadership that has inspired them to work the way they have,” noted Joseph.

Meanwhile, CONCACAF President Webb told this newspaper that the success was intrinsic in a widerange of fundamental elements.

“We are very blessed and fortunate to have a very successful tournament so far… we believe the success has come because we were able to keep the fans engaged, plus we had intriguing football…a lot of the teams rose to the occasion with great football.

“Looking back at the atmosphere in Dallas, that was like a final. But on Sunday (today) it has come down to two teams — USA and Panama — setting the stage for a thrilling final,” said the Cayman national.

He said from an organisational standpoint, those charged with carrying out the mandate of the tournament have been on from the first kick-off.

“All 13 cities have been great from the bid process all the way through… The various mayors’ offices, the volunteers, the staff, the level of play and organisation have been tremendous,” Webb said.

For today’s final, a sold-out crowd is forecast at the 61,000-capacity Soldier Field, home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears.

The Gold Cup has seen record numbers at the quarter-finals at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta (54,229) and M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore (70,540).

In the semi-finals at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, 81,410 filled out the massive venue.

During the preliminary stage, ticket sales were encouraging as well. In Pasadena 56,822 were in attendance; 25,460 in New Jersey; 18,752 in Portland; 28,354 in Seattle; 28,713 in Miami; 17,590 in Salt Lake City; Denver, 25,985; Houston, 21,783; and 25,435 in Hartford.

Based on those figures, the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup total ticket sales look certain to exceed the 500,000 mark when the final tally is done.

The Gold Cup and US$1 million will go to the champions.