Mexico secure final slot on a pulsating San Jose evening

Mexico 1 Honduras 0

July 2 – The question on the lips of pundits and fans at Levi Stadium, Santa Clara, was “would tonight be business as usual or unusual business?” as Mexico and Honduras met for the right to face the United States in the Concacaf Gold Cup Final on Sunday in Houston.

Read more …

USA clinch last four slot with penalty win over Costa Rica

USA 2 Costa Rica 2 (USA win 4-3 on pens)

June 29 – You’d hate to use the word ‘sterile’ to describe a Concacaf Gold Cup quarter-final, but following the drama and passion of Guatemala versus Canada, it all felt a little flat as the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Costa Rica kicked off for the right to face Guatemala in St. Louis. After 90 minutes and the drama of penalty kicks,

Read more …

Guatemala dump man-down Canada in penalty shoot-out

Canada 1 – Guatemala 1 (5-6 after pens)

June 29 – The Canadian fans were taking their boycott of Donald Trump’s immigration policies to heart at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, as the lack of red flags was in stark contrast to the blue and white festival that Guatemala brought to the Concacaf quarter-final tie in an epic contest that would be settled by Guatemala with the drama of penalty kicks.

Read more …

El Salvador self destruct in Houston as Canada Marsch on

Canada 2-0 El Salvador

June 24 – Fresh from emerging from a Concacaf-imposed timeout, Canadian head coach Jesse Marsch returned to the technical area at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, knowing any more misbehaviour would send him back to the naughty room. He needn’t have worried as their opponents El Salvador simply imploded in a red mist.

Read more …

Los Chapines hold their nerve

Guatemala 3-2 Guadeloupe

June 24 – Other than defending Gold Cup champions Mexico, the biggest draw to the tournament to date has been Guatemala, and once again their fans came out in their thousands, creating a brilliant atmosphere at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston as they beat Guadeloupe 3-2 in an enthralling contest.

Read more …

Saudi hold on for Trinidad draw to secure quarter final spot

Saudi Arabia 1 Trinidad and Tobago 1

June 22 – Saudi Arabia lived dangerously at the end of their final group encounter against Trinidad and Tobago at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to secure a spot in the quarter finals. Having dominated possession for most of the game, Trinidad came to life in the final 15 minutes but failed to put away a succession of chances.

Read more …

Player down Dominican Republic hold Suriname

Dominican Republic 0 Suriname 0

June 22 – Playing a dead rubber is dispiriting in the best circumstances. Playing a dead rubber in a 100,000-capacity stadium in front of 2,000 supporters is the definition of torture. Yet somehow, the Dominican Republic and Suriname managed to breathe life into their Group A Concacaf Gold Cup farewell.

Read more …