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CONCACAF World Cup qualifying: A Look Ahead

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photo by Tony Quinn/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

The U.S. men's national team will be looking to get a few steps closer to the 2014 World Cup when they take on Jamaica in their third match in the third round of CONCACAF qualifying on Friday, but they won't be the only ones in action.

All 12 remaining CONCACAF teams vying for the four coveted spots for the upcoming World Cup in Brazil will be in action on Friday night, and the games should prove to be intense as they can seriously help or hinder teams' chances of getting into the Hexagonal round of qualifying.

Mexico will be one of the teams trying to build on their strong starts to the round, but they will have a difficult test to pass as they visit Costa Rica in one of the biggest matches of Group B. Honduras, meanwhile, is in desperate need of a win when they travel to Cuba after having picked up only one point in their first two matches.

Here is FOX Soccer's breakdown of the CONCACAF qualifiers, with Ives pointing out that the teams current trailing in the qualifying groups having a great chance to catch up this week.

Here is a full rundown of Friday's CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers:

GROUP A

Jamaica vs. United States

Guatemala vs. Antigua and Barbuda

GROUP B

El Salvador vs. Guyana

Costa Rica vs. Mexico

GROUP C

Cuba vs. Honduras

Canada vs. Panama

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Which matches are you most looking forward to? Do you see any upsets in the works? Think Honduras will be on the brink of elimination after this round of games? 

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Simeon Jackson–Norwich
    Atiba Hutchison–PSV Eindhoven

    Oh, and some guy who just scored his 100th goal in MLS…but I’m sure the rest of the team are bums…

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  2. I wish this idea of an England call up would finally go away. The realistic options for Hoillet are Canada and Jamaica. Having said that, I suspect your comment about him picking the team that makes the hex is on the money.

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  3. The top 2 teams in each group are all facing each other home & away this weekend. Huge qualifying weekend. Gonna see some shaking out.

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  4. I wish they’d put the standings in when they write these things.

    Group A
    USA 4
    Jamaica 4
    Guatemala 1
    A & B 1

    Group B
    Mexico 6
    Costa Rica 4
    El Sal 1
    Guyana 0

    Group C
    Panama 6
    Canada 4
    Honduras 1
    Cuba 0

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  5. If you’re interested in the scenarios, the USA (or Jamaica) can clinch at least 2nd in the group with 2 wins and Guat. / A&B drawing either Fri. or Tues.

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  6. Still wondering if Miguel Ponce never gets called up to the mexican senior team “if” he would consider playing for the US ???

    Please dont tell me was cap=tied in copa america because he wasnt

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  7. Jamaica and Panama need to qualify. Jamaica has alot of talent in the EPL and championship they cant cap cause they havent made a World Cup in awhile.

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  8. I really hope the US can pull off a win in Jamaica and get all six points. I’m sure Guatemala will handle Antigua at home, and probably get a point on the road. I can see Costa Rica winning their home game and really make that group interesting. I really hope Honduras and Canada get wins too.

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  9. But Hoillet could just as easily opt for Jamaica. I get the feeling he is waiting to see which country makes it to the next round, but he is also still waiting for that England call-up as well.

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  10. On paper, the Mexico v Costa Rica matches should be good, but El Tri really has really seemed to have their number in recent years. I even remember them trouncing Los Ticos in Saprissa in 2010 WCQ.
    Canada v Panama are interesting fixtures. The Panamanians have finally taken their Gold Cup form into WCQ, but Canada seems to be playing with some confidence themselves – they have a good blend of experience and youth (and if Hoillet and De Guzman ever come around they will be very dangerous).

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  11. I would love for the next WC that in addition to USA/Mexico qualifing that Canada makes it. Also some small nation like Belize or Guatemala/Panama. Costa Rice was so close last time.

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  12. No, TV reports said there was minimal damage to the stadium and the game is going ahead as planned. The players got a fright, though. Costa Rica has a brand new stadium financed by China in return for some sort of business deal.

    Reply

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