While the U.S. Men’s National Team was getting pummeled by Costa Rica on Tuesday night, four other CONCACAF teams were also in action, hoping to keep pace with the Ticos atop the Hexagonal standings.
Mexico and Panama, both of whom picked up victories in their Hex openers last Friday, squared off in Panama City to a scoreless draw. Honduras, on the other hand, managed to pick up its first win with a convincing performance over Trinidad and Tobago at home.
Here is a look back at Tuesday’s action in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying and the updated standings:
EL TRI STIFLED BY PANAMA ON THE ROAD
Despite picking up a dramatic and emotional 2-1 victory last Friday over the U.S., Mexico wasn’t able to carry that momentum on the road against Panama, settling for a 0-0 draw.
After a physical first half that saw three yellow cards get handed out, neither side was able to generate threatening chances in the second half to break the deadlock. Juan Carlos Osorio’s men were especially frustrated in the final third as they held 72 percent of the possession, but were only able to get off six shots, with only one on target.
Panama made the most of its times on the ball and took 15 shots against goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, forcing him to make saves on three of them.
After a four-month break, Mexico will get to host its first game in the Hex stage with a fixture against Costa Rica. Panama, meanwhile, will head to Trinidad and Tobago.
HONDURAS DOMINATES T&T FOR FIRST WIN IN THE HEX
Two goals within the opening 20 minutes set the tone for Honduras at home against Trinidad and Tobago before the hosts went on to claim a 3-1 victory to bounce back from its loss against Panama last Friday.
Romell Quioto broke through in the 16th minute when he unleashed a right-footed shot from outside the box to beat goalkeeper Marvin Phillip, who had entered six minutes prior to replace Jan-Michael Williams due to an injury. Houston Dynamo’s Boniek Garcia provided the assist.
Three minutes later, Emilio Izaguirre doubled the hosts’ lead with a left-footed finish following a solo effort to get inside the box.
In the 51st, Trinidad and Tobago got one back courtesy of Carlyle Mitchell’s aerial finish off a corner, but Honduras restored the two-goal advantage half an hour later when Garcia set up Eddie Hernandez for a close-range finish.
Honduras’ next WCQ match will be against the U.S. on March 24, 2017.
STANDINGS (ROUND 2)
1. Costa Rica (6 points | 2-0-0 | 6 Goals For | 0 Goals Against)
2. Mexico (4 points | 1-1-0 | 2 Goals For | 1 Goals Against)
3. Panama (4 points | 1-1-0 | 1 Goals For | 0 Goals Against)
4. Honduras (3 points | 1-0-1 | 3 Goals For | 2 Goals Against)
5. Trinidad & Tobago (0 points | 0-0-2 | 1 Goals For | 5 Goals Against)
6. United States (0 points | 0-0-2 | 1 Goals For | 6 Goals Against)