Mexico and Costa Rica top the Las Vegas bill with a fitting Group A finale
Mexico 0 Costa Rica 0
June 22 – Mexico and Costa Rica drew a blank in an enthralling no holds barred encounter at the Allegiant in Las Vegas in front of 35,000 fans.
Concacaf
Stars and stripes edge past resilient Haiti
USA 2-1 Haiti
June 22 – Motivation was never going to be an issue in this Concacaf Gold Cup Group D encounter between Haiti and the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT).
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.
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.
Houston we don’t have a problem. Gold Cup delivers a Central American football feast
Honduras 2 – El Salvador 0
June 21 – A piece of Central America proudly and unashamedly parked itself in Space City tonight. The Shell Energy Stadium in Houston has frequently staged Gold Cup nights of passion and community. This Saturday is was extra special.
Canada stunned by Curaçao comeback in chaotic added time
Canada 1 Curaçao 1
June 21 – Canada came into the Gold Cup as one of the firm favourites and after a 6-0 fiesta against Honduras at home in Montreal, looked to be on the right road to a much-needed title. But on an airless 92˚˙ night in Houston they punctured.
Passion meets pragmatism in Austin as Panama secure QF spot
Guatemala 0-1 Panama:
June 20 – Friday night at Q2 Stadium bore no resemblance to the venue that hosted football just 24 hours earlier. The transformation was complete, and the catalyst was simple: unbridled passion provided by the hordes of Guatemala supporters who descended on Austin. Stark contrast to the lack of interest shown by US fans on Thursday.
Jamaica hold on to beat Guadeloupe but every little thing is not alright
Jamaica 2 Guadeloupe 1
June 20 – Jamaica picked up their first three points and kept their hopes of progression to the knockout rounds alive. But it was not without a chaotic finale where they looked to be throwing everything away against a Guadeloupe team that stuck to their task.
No more Mr Nice Guy: Marsch respects disciplinary process as he embeds culture of ruthlessness in Canada
June 20 – Under fire Canada coach Jesse Marsch who is facing disciplinary action following his behaviour at Canada’s opening game of the Gold Cup, said “there’s a process in place and I respect that”.
Unconvincing but into next round. USA dispatch Saudi Arabia, just
USA 1 Saudi Arabia 0
June 19 – American comedian Rodney Dangerfield used to say, “I don’t get no respect.” The same could be said for the United States Men’s Soccer Team as barely 10,000 fans showed up for a supporter friendly 8.15pm kickoff versus Concacaf Gold Cup, Group D opponents, Saudi Arabia in a 1-0 win that again raised more questions than answers.
Triumph and disaster as 10-man Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago battle to a draw
Haiti 1 Trinidad and Tobago 1
June 19 – Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago delivered 90 minutes of full-blooded football on a steaming hot, late afternoon in Houston at the Shell Energy Stadium battling to a draw that keeps them both in with a chance of making it into the knockout round.
El Tri’s home away from home
Mexico 2-0 Suriname:
June 18 – The Mexican national team is perhaps the only country in world football that plays home matches in two countries. The Azteca Stadium in Mexico City is, of course, their spiritual home; however, in Los Angeles – where they roared to victory over the Dominican Republic – and tonight in the heart of Texas at AT&T Stadium in Arlington versus Suriname, the team is welcomed by partisan support and rapturous anticipation.
Costa Rica squeeze past Dominican Republic into next round
Costa Rica 2 Dominican Republic 1
June 28 – Picture this: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, a gleaming, cavernous, colossus of modern architecture, standing like a metallic monument to American excess. With its 80,000-seat capacity echoing like a vast, empty cathedral, barely 3,000 souls scattered across its bowels at kickoff. It didn’t matter.
Marsch and CSA under investigation for breaking suspension rules and abusing officials
June 18 – Having thumped Honduras 6-0 last night in Vancouver and riding the high of becoming one of the favourites for the Gold Cup, today the Canadians are facing the low further disciplinary sanctions against their coach Jesse Marsch.
Rampaging Canada tear Honduras apart
Canada 5 Honduras 0
June 17 – Canada over the past six years have forced their way into Concacaf’s elite but have so often flattered to deceive. They are the team everyone quite likes but have never delivered the championship title their talent screams for. Re-adjust everyone.