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Mexico aims to clinch, Canada looks for repeat showing in CONCACAF qualifiers

Mexico (Reuters Pictures)

On a night when the U.S. men's national team is in a fight to stave off a worst-case scenario in the semifinal round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, the Mexican national team can wrap up a place in the hexagonal.

Mexico faces Costa Rica at Estadio Azteca and can clinch a spot in the final qualifying round with a win or a draw. The fight for second place in Group B is more intriguing, with El Salvador, Costa Rica and Guyana all jockeying for position.

Canada, meanwhile, continues to sit atop Group C after a win over Panama on Friday, and Dwayne De Rosario & Co. will look to make it a sweep of Los Canaleros in a hostile environment in Panama City. 

In addition to the USA-Jamaica game at Crew Stadium, the other match of great importance for U.S. men's national team fans Tuesday takes place in Antigua, where Antigua and Barbuda and Guatemala meet with other Group A implications at stake.

Here is a closer look at Tuesday's other CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers:

GROUP A

Antigua and Barbuda vs. Guatemala, 7 p.m.

Guatemala poses the biggest threat to the U.S. in terms of the Americans potentially missing out on the hexagonal altogether, and after coming from behind to take a 3-1 result off Antigua and Barbuda at home on Friday in horrid conditions, Los Chapines head to the road, where gaining points is never an easy proposition. Antigua and Barbuda already held Jamaica to a scoreless draw at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium and can do the U.S. a big favor by coming up with a similar result tonight.

GROUP B

Mexico vs. Costa Rica, 8 p.m.

El Tri has rolled through Group B to the tune of nine points in three matches and can wrap up first place in the group with a victory over a Costa Rica side that has work to do with a pair of teams hot on its tail. Mexico rarely loses at Azteca, and for it to happen twice within a month's time seems like a longshot, making Los Ticos' challenge all the more difficult.

Guyana vs. El Salvador, 8 p.m.

Guyana turned in one of the surprise performances of the qualifying round by going to San Salvador and poaching a point in Friday's 2-2 draw, a result that makes things interesting in the quest for second place in the group. Guyana has conceded nine goals in three matches, and more attacking is in the offing at Providence Stadium.

GROUP C

Honduras vs. Cuba, 7:30 p.m.

After a sluggish opening in Havana on Friday, Honduras received goals from its MLS contingent, with Jerry Bengtson, Victor Bernardez and Marvin Chavez guiding Los Catrachos to a 3-0 road win. Now the teams head to San Pedro Sula, where Honduras, still in third place in the group and trailing Panama by two points, needs to take all three points off the group underdog again ahead of tougher matches against Panama and Canada to close group play.

Panama vs. Canada, 8 p.m.

Canada made a statement at home against Panama on Friday, with Dwayne De Rosario's free-kick goal carrying the hosts to a win and the top of the group. A repeat performance at Estadio Rommel Fernandez combined with a Honduras loss or draw would actually clinch a place for Canada in the hex. 

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How do you see Tuesday's action unfolding? Do you think Antigua and Barbuda can hold Guatemala to a loss or draw? Who do you see joining Mexico out of Group B? Surprised at Canada's success so far in qualifying?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I think we’re in the driver’s seat for first. We just have to win by more than one goal tonight and we’re back atop the group. Actually I think we’re top on goal differential w’ just a win.

    Reply
  2. Guys, let’s not panic just yet. We have 2 games left at home and 1 at the group minnow. Our 2 main competitors still play each other once, and they both have 2 road games left. I think we’re in the driver’s seat for 2nd place in the group with a very good chance of 1st.

    Reply
  3. I thought that was exactly what that meant…

    Haha. And just imagine, they could bring back Chief Knockahoma! Might need to call him something else though, I don’t know. Chief Kickagoal just sounds kinda lame…

    Reply
  4. Yeah, I saw it. Panamanians don’t F around, evidently.

    “You want a good night’s sleep? Go to Costa Rica!” *angrily slaps a bongo drum*

    Reply
  5. Sidenote: The fireworks sound like a warzone…included in this chaos is about 10 car alarms going off and some person on their crotch rocket revving their engine.

    Rivalry brewing?

    Reply
  6. Anyone else see the video that’s trending on youtube of the “Street Party” in Panama, directly outside of Canada’s hotel?

    It’s a loud block party that includes fireworks.

    Home field advantage!…..amirite? *shoots firework*

    Reply
  7. Am I dreaming? Mexico and Canada making statements by siting on top of their respective groups, which are way tougher than ours and we are worried about a qualifying match in group A? With:

    Antigua and Barbuda
    Guatemala
    Jamaica

    Someone wake me up from this nightmare…..

    Reply

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