Last weekend was the FIFA international break, which carries into tonight, and will see CONCACAF teams close out Round 4 of World Cup qualifying. The Earthquakes have sent six players to various national teams throughout CONCACAF and will be well represented. Let’s examine how each country featuring a Quakes player, or two, currently fares and what needs to happen for their respective nations tonight.
El Salvador
Darwin Ceren leads El Salvador against Canada tonight, already eliminated from contention. At this point, the Salvadorans are playing spoiler. Canada, already three points behind Honduras, would need to make up serious ground in the goal differential category and get a little help from Mexico.
1. Mexico (15 pts; 5-0-0) – will play Honduras on Tuesday
2. Honduras (7; 2-2-1) – will play Mexico on Tuesday
3. Canada (4; 1-3-1) – will play El Salvador on Tuesday
4. El Salvador (2; 0-3-2) – will play Canada on Tuesday (7 pm PT)
Jamaica
Simon Dawkins and Shaun Francis won’t be advancing past Round 4, as Jamaica were eliminated with last Friday’s 2-0 loss to Panama. A win in tonight’s match against Haiti could give Jamaica a respectable point total, but won’t be enough to help them move on.
1. Costa Rica (13 pts; 4-0-1) – will play Panama on Tuesday
2. Panama (10; 3-1-1) – will play Costa Rica on Tuesday
3. Jamaica (4; 1-3-1) – will play Haiti on Tuesday (6:30 pm PT)
4. Haiti (1; 0-4-1) – will play Jamaica on Tuesday
Panama
Alberto Quintero and Panama did what they needed to last week, defeating Jamaica and advancing to Round 5. Now they face their next obstacle – group leader Costa Rica on the road. If Costa Rica wins, draws or keeps the score within one, they advance as group winners. However, if Panama wins by two or more goals, they advance on goal differential.
1. Costa Rica (13 pts; 4-0-1) – will play Panama on Tuesday
2. Panama (10; 3-1-1) – will play Costa Rica on Tuesday (6:30 pm PT)
3. Jamaica (4; 1-3-1) – will play Haiti on Tuesday
4. Haiti (1; 0-4-1) – will play Jamaica on Tuesday
United States
The U.S.A. handled business on Friday, defeating St. Vincent and the Grenadines 6-0. Now Chris Wondolowski and the red, white and blue turn their attention to Trinidad and Tobago, who currently lead the group by one point. The task is simple: Win and they win the group, draw or lose and finish second. The only way the Americans do not advance is if they lose to T&T and Guatemala is somehow able to erase a 12-point deficit in goal differential.
1. Trinidad and Tobago (11 pts; 3-0-2) – will play the United States on Tuesday
2. United States (10; 3-1-1) – will play Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday (5:15 pm PT)
3. Guatemala (7; 2-2-1) – will play St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Tuesday
4. St. Vincent and the Grenadines (0; 0-5-0) – will play the Guatemala on Tuesday
Trinidad and Tobago
Cordell Cato and Trinidad have clinched a berth into the next round and can now lock up the group with a win or draw against the United States tonight. A loss would drop the team into second.
1. Trinidad and Tobago (11 pts; 3-0-2) – will play the United States on Tuesday (5:15 pm PT)
2. United States (10; 3-1-1) – will play Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday
3. Guatemala (7; 2-2-1) – will play St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Tuesday
4. St. Vincent and the Grenadines (0; 0-5-0) – will play the Guatemala on Tuesday
