2014 WC Brasil - CONCACAF WCQ opponents watch [all R's]

Relevant matches to follow ...

Jamaica 1-0 Guyana [5/18]

El Salvador 2-2 New Zealand [5/24]

Costa Rica 3-2 Guatemala [5/25]

May 26

USA v Scotland

El Salvador v Moldova

Honduras v New Zealand

Mexico v Wales

May 27

Jamaica v Panama

May 30

USA v Brasil

May 31

Mexico v Bosnia-Herzegovina

June 1

Guatemala v Costa Rica

Panama v Jamaica

June 2

El Salvador v Honduras

June 3

Canada v USA

Mexico v Brasil

[FIFA.com does not show any further warm-up matches for Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, or Guyana.]

Looks like someone we all know very well is the main attacking option for Guatemala. Hope we shut down that little fish.

I hope we have someone scouting those two Guatemala games.

New Zealand gets a 2-2 draw with El Salvador and beats Honduras 1-0

Nice confidence boost for their World Cup playoff hopes against a Concacaf team.

They looked pretty terrible on offence in both games if Honduras brings their full squad they win that game. I would favor any 4th place CONCACAF team over New Zealand after having watched those games there just isn't much going forward for them and their defense had more luck then skill.

Mexico just beat Wales 2-0, both goals from De Nigris at 43' and 89'. Wales was lucky that it was only 2-0, but then again, Mexico should have finished more of their opportunities.

Jamaica 0 - 1 Panama FT, didn't catch any of the game.

Based on that Guatemala result, we can't be taking anything for granted. And Gooch needs to shut down the fish like no one's business.

USA 5-1 Scotland

El Salvador 2-0 Moldova

Honduras 0-1 New Zealand

Mexico 2-0 Wales

Jamaica 0-1 Panama

I watched the game. Both sides were absolutely terrible. Costa Rica was missing a few players, but I don't think they're as good as they used to be regardless.

I wouldn't expect Costa Rica and Honduras to dominate the non US/Mex CONCACAF opponents this cycle. Panama and El Salvador, and to a lesser extent Canada and Jamaica should be able to keep pace. In fact, I think there's a pretty decent chance that Honduras and Costa Rica don't make it out of this round.

lol

Is LOL all you can come up with.offer some reasons why your country will still get to the hex against a strong Panama and an improved Canada team.

Hard to say Canada has improved when they haven't actually played in a while and just lost Josh Simpson. Their last match they lost to Armenia and a couple of matches before that they tied Puerto Rico and SK & N. This team at the moment doesn't look better then last cycles. They may be better but based on their last few matches its hard to say that.

This

We've been waiting for them to "improve" for quite some time. But they just lost Josh Simpson for 8 months, qualification just got more difficult for them

There is something wrong with Canadian football at this point. The team lacks tactical awareness and motivation. All in all, from what I see, the Top 5 are abvious to me: MEX, USA, HON, CRC, PAN. The last two are about even. Honduras is stronger than them. Yes, they have surpassed the Ticos IMO.

After that, it's a bit less clear. I'd say El Salvador is stronger than Jamaica, but they got the "group of death," with MEX and CRC, so I don't see them making the Hex.

JAM and CAN are the last two with a shot, but IMO they are weaker. JAM will make the Hex, though, because they got the easiest group (yes, the USA group is the easiest, IMO).

What exactly has Honduras done to impress you recently?

In the Gold Cup, they looked rather awful. They lost to Jamaica, they tied Guatemala. They've had up and down friendly results. Costa Rica, similarly, hasn't had a great 2-3 years. If anything Panama is the #3 team in CONACACAF.

Honduras and Costa Rica may be better than El Salvador and Jamaica, but the gap is shrinking.

I can understand your thinking here, but I have to disagree with that.

The final of the Chocolate Cup last year. They dominated the Ticos, and showed more refined defending and fast, smart countering.

Panama is the up-and-coming power. I think they'll be #3 soon, but aren't there yet. In that same Gold Cup, USA managed to beat Panama 1-0 in semis. It took Mexico (the best team in that competition) extra time to beat the Catrachos.

See yall in the Hex.

I don't doubt it.

You're one of ze select few

Yup. Being honest, they gave Mexico a lot more trouble than the USA, all things considered.

Mexico 2-1 Bosnia.

Chicharito with a stoppage time winner after a Bosnian defender whiffed on a clearance. Twice. though, to be fair, it WAS really wet outside

It would be great if someone here could post a short clip of that final goal, an amazing sequence, which if it happened to us - for or against - would be replayed and discussed endlessly. A spectacular failure!