I'm tempted to flip Panama and Costa Rica this time around, but other than that this looks about right. Of course we have our own issues going into the Hex and anything can happen. I've had my doubts over Honduras, but they really made one heck of a statement today, didn't they?
I'll wait until February to make predictions. Many things can change between now and February. Only things I am confident about are that Mexico will win most if not all of their home matches. They also probably will get 6 points against Costa Rica. They just own them for some reason mentally.
I haven't watched either much, but I'm just not that impressed with Panama's results - coming from behind to tie Cuba today and losing to Canada on the road. Beating Cuba 1-0 at home. Drawing Honduras 0-0 at home. I know they beat Honduras on the road, but those other results are pretty bleh to me. Can these guys score goals? They scored a total of 6 in this round. We know Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras and the US can. Panama will be a tough out for all of the teams, but ultimately I think they and Jamaica will be duking it out for 5th place.
I'd still back us to get 2nd despite looking pretty shaky in the last round of qualifying. Realistically, we just need to finish ahead of three teams out of Panama, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Honduras. My prediction is... 1. Mexico 2. USA 3. Honduras 4. Costa Rica 5. Jamaica 6. Panama I gave Costa Rica the edge in the 4th spot because they have a couple very dangerous attacking players in Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell. I feel like Jamaica is kind of a Jekkyl and Hyde team that could beat almost anyone in the group on their day, but could also get walloped 4-0 by any team in the group. I'm not really seeing any hope for Panama. Should be fun, and hopefully stress-free for us Yanks. If we slip up and somehow get 4th, I'd still back us to go through. Obviously we'll want to avoid that scenario though.
1. Mexico 2. USA 3. Honduras 4. Costa Rica 5. Jamaica 6. Panama Mexico is playing the best hands down out of the group. USA struggled but I have a feeling they get it together but lose at Azteca and at best get a draw in the US. After that its a free for all I put them in order based on gut feeling and play in the semi final round.
1. Mexico 2. USA 3. Honduras 4. Costa Rica 5. Panama 6. Jamaica 24 hours ago I probably would have put Panama 4th, maybe 3rd. But not after a Cuba tie and Honduras' and Costa Rica's respective thrashings...
I'll take a shot. 1) Mexico 2) USA 3) Panama 4) Honduras (with a win over New Zealand that follows) 5) Costa Rica 6) Jamaica It will be the best (most tightly contested) Hex ever. Mexico will distance themselves, but beyond that, it will be a dogfight. I think everyone has a legit shot to be top 3, and certainly everyone has a legit shot to be top 4.
Here's another topic I'm interested in: Before the semifinal tournament, I would have guessed Antigua and Barbuda, based on their tiny size, would be the worst team of the participants in this round. In the end, all three of the last place teams in this round finished with the same 0W-1D-5L record. How would you rank the three bottom feeders based on how they did in the round? Antigua & Barbuda played far better then I expected and were close in all of their matches. Cuba didn't get blown out in any games but were completely toothless in probably the easiest of the three groups. Guyana had an away tie at El Salvador, and managed to not get blown out at Azteca. In their second match against Mexico, they were at nil-nil with about 15 minutes to go before getting blown out. Guyana, A&B, Cuba is how I would order them.