Gold Cup - Matchday 2 Review
Just some good Concacaf fun!
It was another exciting matchday at the Concacaf Gold Cup! A hat-trick, thrilling stoppage time goals, and a goal that channeled Zidane and Maradona. We’ve made a few adjustments to our matchday review format to make it more easily digestible and include more content you have asked for. Let’s get into it!
Group A
Jamaica 4 - Trinidad & Tobago 1
Goals: Jamaica (Gray 14’, 29’, Bailey ‘17, Richards 90+2’), Trinidad & Tobago (Rampersad 49’)
Watch Highlights Here
This was a matchup of historic Caribbean powers that was over before the half-hour mark. If Demarai Gray’s assist against the US wasn’t enough to announce his arrival to Concacaf, a birthday brace will certainly do the trick. The combination of Gray, Bailey, and Antonio was too much for the Soca Warriors to handle and Jamaica could have had a few more goals before the half. After a consolation goal early in the second half, Jamaica were able to add a late goal to finish off the game handily.
What’s Next?
Trinidad & Tobago: after not being able to build on their matchday 1 win, they will look to play spoiler (again) against the US in order to advance - they will almost certainly need all 3 points.
Jamaica: They will look to add another big win against St. Kitts & Nevis and might need 4 or 5 goals in order to top the group.
USA 6 - St. Kitts & Nevis 0
Goals: USA (Mihailovic 12’, 79’, Reynolds 14’, Ferreira 16’, 25’, 50’)
Watch Highlights Here
The US came into this game very confident against a St. Kitts & Nevis team that was shutout in their first game. They started fast and after Mihailovic’s opening goal, they added 3 more goals in just 13 minutes (including an absolute rocket from Bryan Reynolds - his first goal for the US). Jesus Ferreira ended the game with a hat-trick and became the fastest USMNT player to get to double digit goals - he has done it in just 20 caps. Gianluca Busio, a player we haven’t seen in meaningful USMNT games for quite some time, got the start and added two assists. Keep an eye on if he gets another chance this tournament.
What’s Next?
USA: all they need is a point against Trinidad & Tobago to advance to the knockout round…easy enough, right? Although it was almost 6 years ago, the loss to Trinidad & Tobago in 2018 World Cup qualification lives fresh in the memory of fans. Nothing is guaranteed in Concacaf!
St. Kitts & Nevis: although they have been eliminated, after winning back-to-back penalty shootouts in the prelims to get to this point, this Gold Cup can already be counted as a success. If they could get a goal or a result against Jamaica, that would be the icing on the cake.
Group B
Honduras 1 - Qatar 1
Goals: Honduras (Elis 90+6’), Qatar (Al-Abdullah 7’)
Watch Highlights Here
Los Catrachos fielded a lineup in this game with 5 changes from their game against Mexico. After some poor defending on a Qatari attack, Honduras found themselves trailing just 7 minutes into the game. For the next 89 minutes of play, it was back and forth. Honduras dominated possession and had multiple chances, but couldn’t put the full product together. With just seconds remaining (literally) La H mounted one final push. Pinto lobbed a ball into the box, Castillo headed it down, and Alberth “La Panterita” Elis scored the equalizer to keep Honduras’ chances alive. Unfortunately, Elis fractured his arm in the process and will be out for the remainder of the competition but with this goal he has added to his legacy.
What’s Next?
Honduras: they were seconds away from elimination and have been handed a lifeline with Elis’ late goal. They face Haiti next, a game that will likely decide the runner-up in Group B. Honduras need a win but will be without both Elis and Castillo (who received a red card during an altercation postgame). They will have the benefit of a home crowd atmosphere in Charlotte.
Qatar: 3 points will be needed against Mexico in order to advance. If Mexico rest their starters for this game, Qatar will have a shot. But if they face a close to full-strength El Tri, it will likely be a disappointed early exit after their semi-final appearance in the 2021 Gold Cup.
Mexico 3 - Haiti 1
Goals: Mexico (Martin 46’, Ade (OG) 56’, Gimenez 83’), Haiti (Jacques 78’)
Watch Highlights Here
After their dominate win against Honduras, the atmosphere within the team and fanbase was more positive but some pundits were questioning if this team was really as good as they looked. After a first half with many chances, El Tri entered the break tied 0-0 with Haiti. You could feel the tension begin to rise, even on TV. How would Mexico respond? Well…just 45 seconds into the second half, Antuna played a wonderful ball into the box that was headed in by Henry Martin. Mexico were gifted an own goal shortly after and things seemed to be under control until Jacques of Haiti scored off a corner to tighten the game back up. A few minutes later, it was Antuna again playing a perfect cross in that was buried by Santiago Gimenez (my pick for Golden Boot…not panning out yet). This was his first goal in a competitive game for El Tri.
What’s Next?
Mexico: they have officially secured their place in the knockout round and will almost certainly have the top spot in Group B regardless of outcome vs Qatar. It will be very interesting to see if Jaime Lozano rests some of the starters (who also played in Nations League prior to this) or if he will use the same group for continuity.
Haiti: despite the loss, the Haitian team should feel confident. A tie against Honduras might be enough to advance, but they will want to get three points to control their own destiny. They will enter this game against La H as favorites, especially given Honduras’ injury/suspension woes.
Group C
Panama 2 - Martinique 1
Goals: Panama (Fajardo 57’, Murillo 69’), Martinique (Fabien 90+4’)
Watch Highlights Here
Both teams were coming off of big wins in their first game, especially Martinique who took down El Salvador. Panama had a number of very good chances in the box in the first 45 and were disappointed to head into the break all square. It didn’t take long for the Panamanians to get their goal in the second half with a great headed finish from Fajardo. They followed it up with a beautiful chip over the backline that was finished by Michael Murillo. Martinique were able to get a stoppage time goal that could prove important if a tie-breaker comes down to goal differential.
What’s Next?
Panama: they have proven to be the best team in this group and have already secured a spot in the knockout rounds. Barring a Martinique win over Costa Rica by 2+ goals, they should top Group C even with a loss.
Martinique: although they are in second heading into their final game with Costa Rica, they may need to get a win to ensure their advancement to the knockout round. A draw could leave them in a position of relying on tiebreakers.
El Salvador 0 - Costa Rica 0
Goals: N/A
Watch Highlights Here
As we expected, this was a tough and gritty battle between two Central American rivals. After losses in their first games, both teams desperately needed all 3 points. The game started fast and both teams were looking for an early advantage and both had good chances at goals, but they entered the break deadlocked at 0-0. The second half didn’t really pick up until the final 20 minutes. Los Ticos had a goal called back and Mario Gonzalez had too make several huge saves just to keep El Salvador level. In an odd turn of events, El Salvador was about to take a corner kick when Cesar Arturo Ramos blew the final whistle. It was one of the weirdest endings to a game you’ll see and Mauricio Cienfuegos (Salvadoran legend and current assistant coach) had to be held back by his own team as he questioned the ref’s decision.
What’s Next?
El Salvador: it’s simple, they will need a win against Panama in order to have a chance at advancing and they will need some help. If they are unable to advance from this group, it will be a disappointment for a team that was building momentum.
Costa Rica: they will need to beat Martinique to advance and hope that El Salvador do not beat Panama. As discussed in our preview, this tournament was going to be difficulty for a Costa Rican team lacking identity. Can they find it in their final group game?
Group D
Guadeloupe 4 - Cuba 1
Goals: Guadeloupe (Phaeton 13’, 43’, Plumain 41’, Baron 50’), Cuba (A. Hernandez 62’)
Watch Highlights Here
Cuba came into this game with major question marks after their matchday 1 loss and defections within the team. Guadeloupe built on the momentum their draw against Canada with 3 first-half goals from outside the box, including this rocket from Phaeton! Les Gwada Boys kept their foot on the gas in the second half as defender Anthony Baron put on a show with the cheeky spinning goal we referenced at the top of the review. Cuba were able to bag a consolation goal at the end of the game to bring the final score to 4-1. Guadeloupe has been one of the most exciting teams to watch this Gold Cup and they have a lot of confidence right now.
What’s Next?
Guadeloupe: In their final game against Guatemala, they can advance to the next round with just a draw regardless of the Canada result. Given this team’s confidence and momentum, they will want to win their final game to surprise everyone and top Group D!
Cuba: the team has officially been eliminated from advancing to the knockout round. They will still be motivated against Canada (one of the regional powers and favorites heading into this tournament). If they can pull off the upset they can send Canada out of this tournament as well.
Guatemala 0 - Canada 0
Goals: N/A
Watch Highlights Here
While there may not have been much to celebrate in terms of goals, the atmosphere at this game in Houston was electric! The Guatemalan fans packed the stadium and cheered their team on for the full 90 minutes - this is a great reminder of how important this sport is in the Concacaf region and why I believe some of the most amazing fans in the world reside in our region. Canada came out looking flat again with just a few good chances during the game. Guatemala battled hard and almost scored a few goals towards the end of the game. While they would’ve loved to deliver a win to the fans in Houston, this hard-fought draw was impressive.
What’s Next?
Canada: this team just can’t seem to get anything going and the frustration is clear on the faces of the players, coaches, and fans. Their final game against an already eliminated Cuba will be a chance to get things right and advance to the knockout round. If the other game ends in a draw, Canada will need to win by multiple goals to guarantee a knockout spot.
Guatemala: the task is simple, win and advance or draw and hope for a favorable result in the other game. Guatemala will need to get more in and around the box as they have only been able to score once this tournament. Guadeloupe will be tough to hold to a shutout or just one goal.
Games to watch in Matchday 3
Honduras vs Haiti (Sunday, 7/2 at 9pm) - this game will likely decide the runner-up for Group B.
Canada vs Cuba (Tuesday, 7/4 at 6:30pm) - Canada face a must-win situation and a loss would continue the run of bad news and poor results for the team.
Guadeloupe vs Guatemala (Tuesday, 7/4 at 6:30pm) - a game between the top two teams in Group D with all to play for - expect to see some late-game drama!
Martinique vs Costa Rica (Tuesday, 7/4 at 8:30pm) - Costa Rica will look for a big win and need some help to advance, while Martinique will attempt to advance to the knockout round for the first time since 2002!
Enjoy Matchday 3 (starting today) and check out our review of those games plus the quarterfinal preview later this week!