Gold Cup - Matchday 3 Review

There's nothing quite like decision day...especially in Concacaf!

Jul 06, 2023

The final matchday of this Gold Cup group stage is further proof that some of the most excitement this sport has to offer is found in the Concacaf region. If you need an example, watch the Guatemala vs Guadeloupe highlights! Every group had teams something to play for, whether it was the the order of the top two advancing or the two spots completely up for grabs. I had the privilege of being at a few of the games (see photo gallery at the bottom of the post) and you could feel the excitement in the air. The quarterfinal matchups are now set - let’s get into it!

Group A

USA 6 - Trinidad & Tobago 0

Goals: USA (Ferreira 14’, 38’, 45+3’, Cowell 65’, Busio 79’, Vazquez 90+4’)

Watch Highlights Here

The US came into this game tied with Jamaica atop group B and holding the goal-differential advantage by 3. With Jamaica facing off against St. Kitts & Nevis, the Stars & Stripes wanted to win this game and win it big. They started quickly with Jesus Ferreira picking up where he left off and bagging another hat-trick. In the second half, Cade Cowell scored his first USMNT senior goal (great piece of skill) and the Carolina product Gianluca Busio opened his account as well. Despite losing 6-0, the Soca Warriors had a few bright spots in Kevin Molino and Levi Garcia who gave the defense some trouble throughout the game. Side note, can somebody tell me why Jesus Ferreira gets hate from USMNT fans???

Jamaica 5 - St. Kitts & Nevis 0

Goals: Jamaica (Archibald [OG] 30’, Russell 45+2’, Bernard 49’, Johnson 72’, Burke 74’)

Watch Highlights Here

To top Group A, the Reggae Boyz needed a big enough win to overcome being behind 3 on goal-differential. They did not field their strongest XI but it was certainly a group that could put up multiple goals. After a slow start, they finally got on the board after a mishandled ball by Archibald. After multiple goals called back for offsides, Jonathan Russell wrapped up the first half with a goal off of a beautiful assist from Leon Bailey. The Jamaicans were able to add three more goals in the second half to finish their group stage with a 5-0 win. After a a great run through the prelims to make their first Gold Cup appearance, St. Kitts & Nevis will have this tournament as a solid foundation to build on for the future.

Group B

Honduras 2 - Haiti 1

Goals: Honduras (Bengtson 42’, Pinto 59’), Haiti (Pierrot 20’)

Watch Highlights Here

I had the privilege of being at this game in Charlotte, NC and the atmosphere was incredible! In Honduras, they have a saying for when the team plays: “La H no es muda” or “The H is not silent”. This was on full display as Los Catrachos were able to play in a San Pedro Sula type atmosphere (including the heat)! Going into the game, it was thought that the winner would ultimately end up finishing second in Group B and you could feel the sense of urgency for both squads. After absorbing a lot of pressure, Haiti’s Pierrot scored unmarked after a save from Honduras. Los Catrachos were not giving up without a fight as 36 year-old veteran Jerry Bengtson scored a headed goal just before the break. In the second half, La H grabbed the lead after a chip over the back line from Alvarez that was gathered and finished by Jose Mario Pinto. Haiti kept the pressure up through the full 90 but were not able to secure an equalizer. Honduras were going to advance if Mexico were able to just get a draw or a win against Qatar….should’ve been a given, right? Right?

Qatar 1 - Mexico 0

Goals: Qatar (Shehata 27’)

Watch Highlights Here

Mexico were almost certain to finish atop this group regardless of the game’s result. Jaime Lozano fielded a mix of his previous lineups and some of his role players and the chemistry was clearly lacking. Hazem Shehata’s header opened the scoring in the 27th minute after a defensive breakdown and an uncharacteristic poor attempt at a save from Memo Ochoa. If you missed this game, and didn’t check the stats, it would be easy to assume that Mexico didn’t put much effort into equalizing or winning this game. Given that 60,000+ showed up to support the team and how low morale has been, El Tri wanted a win here. They were throwing everything forward in this game and brought on several attacking subs in the second half (Lainez, Alvarado, Martin, and Antuna). This resulted in multiple great chances late in the game but they just weren’t clinical enough in and around the box. In the end, Mexico had 77% possession and 25 total shots (6 on target) compared to Qatar’s 1 shot and 1 goal. Fútbol is funny that way, sometimes it just doesn’t go your way…this is true for both Mexico and Honduras who just needed one goal from Mexico.

Group C

Panama 2 - El Salvador 2

Goals: Panama (Escobar 26’, Diaz 71’), El Salvador (B. Gil 4’, M. Gil 90+1’)

Watch Highlights Here

Coming into this game with their spot in the knockout round secured, Panama did not field their strongest XI. That combined with a complete home-game atmosphere in Houston set the stage for El Salvador to go for a win they needed to keep their hopes alive. La ES struck early - the keeper played a ball over the top and Brayan Gil won the footrace to the ball and buried it in the back of the net. Unfortunately, Gonzalez (the keeper) made an error that led the Panama’s equalizing goal and it was the beginning of the end for El Salvador. They gave up a second goal and were not able to equalize until stoppage time and would have needed several more goals given what was happening in the Costa Rica game. A last place finish in the group after high expectations will leave Hugo Perez with more questions than answers.

Costa Rica 6 - Martinique 4

Goals: Costa Rica (Waston 9’, Calvo 40’, Vargas 53’, Campbell 58’, Contreras 68’, Campos 89’), Martinique (Burner 18’, 78’, Labeau 74’, Mexique 90+2’)

Watch Highlights Here

Los Ticos came into this game needing a win, and even then they didn’t control their own destiny. They opened the scoring with an unbelievable goal from center-back Kendall Waston (who has a knack for scoring important goals) after the ball bounced around the box and he headed it in from a seated position. Martinique responded with a curling goal from just outside the box from Patrick Burner. After that, it was all Costa Rica as they pulled away to a 5-1 lead that proved insurmountable despite 3 late goals from Les Matinino. Martinique will have to continue to wait to end their knockout stage drought but they proved their ability to compete with some of the best teams in this region. Costa Rica is through to the knockout round with El Salvador failing to get the win they needed, and this improved attack may be the boost they need for the knockout round.

Group D

Canada 4 - Cuba 2

Goals: Canada (Hoilett 21’, Osorio 26’, Nelson 47’, Millar 61’), Cuba (Paradela 45+4’, Reyes 89’)

Watch Highlights Here

Failing to get a point at the World Cup, losing to the USMNT in the Nations League Final, and continuous bad news from Canadian Soccer…the last thing Canada needed was a group stage exit in the Gold Cup. This game was a must-win, especially against an already eliminated team, and they needed to get several goals with the possibility of a three-way tie looming. They won a penalty early that was buried by Hoilett and followed it up shortly after with a beautiful team goal finished by Jonathan Osorio. Cuba converted a penalty right before the half to cut into the lead but it was all for not. Canada scored early in the second half off a mishandled ball in the box and they didn’t look back and won 4-2. Canada did all they could - would it be enough to advance?

Guatemala 3 - Guadeloupe 2

Goals: Guatemala (Rubin 39’, 70’, Mejia 76’), Guadeloupe (Gravillon 27’, Plumain 63’)

Watch Highlights Here

In the last matchday review, I expected there to be late game drama here…but there was drama from the jump. Guatemala needed a win, and Guadeloupe just needed a draw in order to advance. Guatemala continued the trend of Central American teams essentially playing home games and it was the type of atmosphere you wanted in a game with this much on the line. Guadeloupe opened the scoring with a headed goal off a corner from Gravillon. Former USMNT player, Rubio Rubin, responded by finding the back of the net with a header of his own. The tension was high heading into the break with the teams all square.

Les Gwada Boys converted a penalty early in the second half to take the lead and you could see the nerves of the Guatemalan team and their fans rising. It was Rubio Rubin up for the challenge again as he equalized from a ball played in from Mendez-Laing - game on! Just 6 minutes later, Carlos Mejia sent the crowd into a frenzy as he fired a left-footed shot from outside the box and scored (see both goals here). At this point, it was hard to see a way back for Guadeloupe…but sure enough, they won a penalty in the 86th minute. A converted penalty would mean that Les Gwada Boys would advance and Guatemala would be out…Phaeton stepped up and it was STOPPED by Nicholas Hagen. It was a defining win for Guatemala as they seek to take their program to the next level and it was a devastating loss for Guadeloupe who I felt played well enough in this competition to be a quarterfinalist.