One Down, One to Go
The United States Under-23s and Quakes midfielder Fatai Alashe departed Colombia on Friday with a 1-1 draw, after conceding a late game-tying penalty kick. Despite failing to win the road leg, the result was good for the Americans, as they now head into Tuesday’s contest with an away goal. The stakes are simple: a win or scoreless draw puts the U.S. through to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. A loss or draw in which Colombia scores two-or-more goals ends the Olympic dream.
Time:
Tuesday, March 29 (6:30 p.m. PT)
Location:
Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas
Television:
ESPN2
Rebound Needed
The United States Men’s National Team isn’t tasked with a do-or-die scenario yet, but it’s getting close. After half of the Round 4 matches have been played, the U.S. sits in third place, behind Trinidad and Tobago and Guatemala, with only two teams advancing to Round 5. Anything short of a victory will put a lot of stress on the U.S. heading into their final two Group C matches in September. Quakes forward Chris Wondolowski and goalkeeper David Bingham did not feature for the U.S. in their last match, but that could change on Tuesday.
1. Trinidad and Tobago (2-0-1, +2)
2. Guatemala (2-1-0, +5)
3. United States (1-1-1, +3)
4. St. Vincent and the Grenadines (0-3-0, -10)
Time:
Tuesday, March 29 (4 p.m. PT)
Location:
MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio
Television:
ESPN2, UniMas
Opportunity on the Horizon
After earning a point at home against Group B’s top team, Costa Rica, on Friday, Jamaica has an opportunity to earn another, or all three, on Tuesday. Earthquakes midfielder Simon Dawkins and Jamaica hit on the road, attempting to hand Costa Rica their first loss of Round 4. Jamaica is currently in third place in Group B, trailing Panama on goal differential.
1. Costa Rica (2-0-1, +2)
2. Panama (1-1-1, +1)
3.
Jamaica (1-1-1, -1)
4. Haiti (0-2-1, -2)
Time:
Tuesday, March 29 (7 p.m. PT)
Location:
Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica in San Jose, Costa Rica
Three Points or Bust
San Jose midfielders Anibal Godoy and Alberto Quintero lead Panama against Haiti on Tuesday. After a scoreless draw against the Haitians on Friday, Panama will be looking to right the ship and defeat their winless opponent. The result won’t immediately decide their fate, but anything other than three points here could loom large for the Panamanians once September rolls around.
1. Costa Rica (2-0-1, +2)
2.
Panama (1-1-1, +1)
3. Jamaica (1-1-1, -1)
4. Haiti (0-2-1, -2)
Time:
Tuesday, March 29 (6:30 p.m. PT)
Location:
Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City, Panama
For a full schedule of North America, Central America and Caribbean qualifying, click here.
