Who is the best CONCACAF NAT side right now?

[ty webb]

I just want to get everyone's thoughts on which teams you think are the top CONCACAF squads right now. Obviously, T&T, Mexico, USA, and Costa Rica have stronger cases since they will represent our region this summer in Germany.

I think the US has a slight lead over Mexico at this stage. They have a lot of depth in their program and have dominated some decent teams lately. Norway 5-0, Japan 3-2, and GUAT 4-0. They also won the HEX as the top seed from CONCACAF. Mexico is a top seed in the WC, but that takes into account results from 1998. I think right now the US are better on a neutral field. Of course, in Mexico city, Mexico would be the top team in the region. I think Costa Rica is next. They played very well in the HEX. I would rate T&T next since they qualified for the WC and have a very good coach leading them right now. They also have a team with a lot of pro experience. My rankings are below:

1. USA
2. Mexico
3. Costa Rica
4. T&T
5. Jamaica
6. Guatemala
7. Honduras
8. Panama
9. Canada

I also started a poll where you can vote for the team you think is your number one.

[pura_vida362]

1. USA
2. Mexico
3. Costa Rica
4. T&T
5. Jamaica
6. Guatemala
7. Honduras
8. Panama
9. Canada


Honduras 7th? I dont think so. I would put them 4th. Guatemala and Panama are pretty even for 5th. Then T&T followed by Canada.

[DCatracho17]

I just want to get everyone's thoughts on which teams you think are the top CONCACAF squads right now. Obviously, T&T, Mexico, USA, and Costa Rica have stronger cases since they will represent our region this summer in Germany.

I think the US has a slight lead over Mexico at this stage. They have a lot of depth in their program and have dominated some decent teams lately. Norway 5-0, Japan 3-2, and GUAT 4-0. They also won the HEX as the top seed from CONCACAF. Mexico is a top seed in the WC, but that takes into account results from 1998. I think right now the US are better on a neutral field. Of course, in Mexico city, Mexico would be the top team in the region. I think Costa Rica is next. They played very well in the HEX. I would rate T&T next since they qualified for the WC and have a very good coach leading them right now. They also have a team with a lot of pro experience. My rankings are below:

1. USA
2. Mexico
3. Costa Rica
4. T&T
5. Jamaica
6. Guatemala
7. Honduras
8. Panama
9. Canada

I also started a poll where you can vote for the team you think is your number one.


LOL Honduras 7th??? To me is like putting Brazil 25th in the FIFA rankings.... The best place for Honduras is fourth, after all we did get 3rd place in the Gold Cup.

[MoRado]

My top 10

MEX
US
CR
HON
GUA
T&T
CAN
PAN
JAM
ES

[ChaChaFut]

1. USA (Not by much)
2. MEX
2. CR
4. T&T
5. HON
6. GUA
7. JAM
8. PAN
9. CAN
10. ES

[Popol Vuh]

This poll should of had only 2 options. MEX/USA.

[benni...]

Yeah, its between the USA and Mexico. Its a close one as well.

[Cabiño]

It is Mexico-USA, they are pretty much tied, people can't really say that USA has the advantage on nuetral field, because the last time they played on neutral field was 4 years ago, just about every friendly that they have is in the US, even though the US has a better head to head record i put Mexico ahead by a small margin because of results with better teams

[galaxyfan03]

1) USA
2) Mexico
3) Costa Rica
4) Honduras
5) Canada
6) Trinidad & Tobago
7) Jamaica
8) Guatemala
9) El Salvador
10) Panama

The top 3 are pretty easy to name & Honduras and Canada are close but #s 6 through 10 are pretty even. I only put T&T at # 6, ahead of Jamaica, because they're going to Germany!!

[jared9999]

1) Mexico
2) U.S.
3) Costa Rica
4) Trinidad &Tobago
5) Honduras
6) Canada
7) Jamaica
8) Guatemala
9) Panama
10) El Salvador

[Sagy]

Right now, I see it as
USA (by a hair)
Mexico
---------------------------
Costa Rica
---------------------------
Honduras
---------------------------
Jamaica
Guatemala
Trinidad & Tobago
Canada
Panama
Cuba

[FlashEP]

yeah i agree w/ most of ty webb's rankings except i would put Panama in the sixth spot for reaching the finals at the Gold Cup and making it to the final round at the 2006 WCQ, Honduras is getting a lot better but still failed to get to the final round in the qualifiers. Guatemalans are also a big force but both teams have been blown out by both Mexico and USA away from home, the other teams lose but not as soundly. T&T are the qualifying team but the Jamaicans still run the CFU and haven't lossed to T&T since 2001 and haven't lossed to the Guatemalans in their last 9 matches including their victory against them in last years Gold Cup .

1. USA
2. Mexico
3. Costa Rica
4. Jamaica
5. Trinidad & Tobago
6. Panama
7. Guatemala
8. Honduras
9. Canada

[Shaydee]

1. USA (we get the tiebreaker for being on top of the group)
2. Mexico
3. Costa Rica
4. Honduras
5. Guatemala
6. Trinidad & Tobago
7. Jamaica
8. Panama
9. Canada
10. El Salvador

[Onionsack]

I love how you all struggle sooo much trying to give the US the edge. It must kill some of you to even admit its close.

US v. Mexico since 2000:

United States 7 wins- 1 Draw- 2 Losses Goal Diff (+11) and only 3 goals conceaded.

United States also won CONCACAF WCQ this cycle.

How anyone in their right mind could say the US is not the undisputed top team RIGHT NOW is a mystery. It's obvious those saying that Mexico is tops just dont want to admit the truth.


You guys are right about one thing, its the US and Mexico then everyone else.

1. USA
2. Mexico
3. Costa Rica
4. Honduras
5. Guatemala
6. Jamaica
7. Trinidad & Tobago
8. Panama
9. Canada
10. El Salvador

[Onionsack]

It is Mexico-USA, they are pretty much tied, people can't really say that USA has the advantage on nuetral field, because the last time they played on neutral field was 4 years ago, just about every friendly that they have is in the US, even though the US has a better head to head record i put Mexico ahead by a small margin because of results with better teams


Every time we play Mexico outside Azteca (with the exception of Columbus Crew Stadium) we play at a netrual site. DOnt think for a second those games in NY, Denver, Dallas, LA, etc. were "home" games for the US.

[Latin Pride]

1) Mexico
2) U.S.
3) Costa Rica
4) Honduras
5) Jamaica
6) Canada
7) Guatemala
8) T&T
9) Panama
10) Cuba

USA does better in the region but Mexico does better internationaly and against bigger teams

Cuba has improved alot and are certantly better then El Salvador at the moment.

[ty webb]

I love how you all struggle sooo much trying to give the US the edge. It must kill some of you to even admit its close.

US v. Mexico since 2000:

United States 7 wins- 1 Draw- 2 Losses Goal Diff (+11) and only 3 goals conceaded.

United States also won CONCACAF WCQ this cycle.

How anyone in their right mind could say the US is not the undisputed top team RIGHT NOW is a mystery. It's obvious those saying that Mexico is tops just dont want to admit the truth.


I agree Onionsack. I am surprised that people are saying it is very close right now. I think the current US program is quite a bit stronger than the Mexican program. I know the US has greatly improved since 1998. I have not seen considerable improvement in the Mexican team during this same time. In the late 90's, I thought Mexico were clearly ahead of the US.

I have heard some say the current coach is a big problem with the program. I know a lot of fans would rather have a Mexican coach.

Clearly, Honduras has the widest range (from 4 - 8). I did not rate them as high since they did not qualify for the final HEX.

I expected to see wide variations of rankings after the US, Mexico, CR.

I hope all the CONCACAF teams advance. But, I think T&T will struggle.

[Onionsack]

USA does better in the region but Mexico does better internationaly and against bigger teams.


Well, last time all the "top" bigger international teams got together the US advanced farther..so i dont quite understand what you mean.

Are you refering to Copa America? Thats the only major competition Mexico has played in that the US hasnt since 2002.

They both won a Gold Cup since then. Mexico 2003 - USA 2005.

Mexico finished 4th in the Confederations Cup 2005, The USA finished 6th in 2003.

Seriously where has Mexico done so much better outside the region...Copa America is all i can think of.

[Sagy]

Mexico finished 4th in the Confederations Cup 2005, The USA finished 6th in 2003.USA actually finished 7th out of 8 team, winless and last in the group. Mexico won the group, their semi-final loss was on PK, the 3rd place game loss was AET. IMO, this is a huge difference.

Seriously where has Mexico done so much better outside the region...Copa America is all i can think of.Beating Brazil and playing to a stalemate with Argentina and Germany (for 90 min at home) in an official FIFA competition (these teams were using A or A- teams, not B or C teams) is fairly impressive (and this is from someone that would love the USA to beat Mexico everyday and twice on Sunday).

However, I do count head to head results as being more valuable so I have the USA just ahead of Mexico.

[dfb547490]

1. USA
2. Mexico
3. Costa Rica
4. Jamaica
5. Honduras
6. Guatemala
7. Trinidad
8. Canada
9. Panama
10. Haiti
11. Cuba
12. El Salvador
13. Grenada
14. St. Vincent & Grenadines
15. Barbados