The second edition of the Concacaf Nations League is set to kick off this summer and the U.S. Men’s National Team earned a favorable draw in hopes of repeating as champions.
Gregg Berhalter’s side was paired with El Salvador and Grenada in Group D of Monday’s Nations League draw. It will be the latest meeting between the USMNT and El Salvador after the two national teams squared off twice in the Concacaf World Cup Qualifying octagonal round.
El Salvador and Grenada both earned promotion into League A after topping their respective groups in the first-ever Concacaf Nations League tournament. Grenada went unbeaten in Group A with a 4-0-2 record while El Salvador claimed five wins out its six group stage matches in Group B.
The USMNT has only met Grenada in three previous matches, defeating the Carribbean island twice in 2004 World Cup Qualifying and once in the 2009 Concacaf Gold Cup.
Also in League A is Concacaf heavyweights Mexico, Costa Rica, and Canada who have been placed in Groups A, B, and C respectively. El Tri will deal with the likes of Jamaica and Suriname while Panama and Martinique awaits Costa Rica. Canada, which finished atop of the World Cup Qualifying octagonal round in March, was paired with Honduras and Curacao.
Group stage results will also serve as qualification into the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, as it did for the 2021 edition.
The USMNT will begin group stage action in June and will conclude group stage play in March 2023. The Americans won the first-ever Nations League Finals, defeating rivals Mexico in extra time by a 3-2 scoreline in Las Vegas.
Here’s a closer look at the entire Concacaf Nations League draw:
League A
Group A: Mexico, Jamaica, Suriname.
Group B: Costa Rica, Panama, Martinique.
Group C: Canada, Honduras, Curacao.
Group D: United States, El Salvador, Grenada.
League B
Group A: Cuba, Guadaloupe, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados.
Group B: Haiti, Bermuda, Guyana, Montserrat.
Group C: Trinidad & Tobago, Nicaragua, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Bahamas.
Group D: Guatemala, French Guiana, Dominican Republic, Belize.
League C
Group A: Bonaire, Turks and Caicos Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, Sint Maarten.
Group B: Saint Kitts and Nevis, Aruba, St. Maarten.
Group C: St. Lucia, Dominica, Anguilla.
Group D: Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands.
Not the best draw to help prep for the US for the WC but hopefully yet he ES game is away. Yes heard Uruguay is very likely one of the two friendlies before the NL games. Only one other window in Sept. to have two friendlies. Would assume those are both in Europe. Hope the weekend after MLS cup the US will have the MLS portion of squad play a send off game with some young back ups who are stand by type players. Won’t see Euros as that would be before the Nov 14 release for WC.
Groups came out about right. Canada facing 8th finishing Honduras. 2nd place Mexico gets 6th place Jamaica but they are unlikely to have English Dual Nats, US 3rd place gets 7th place ES. 4 CR vs 5 Panama. Grenada maybe the weakest 3rd team but we’ll see how many dual nats return for Suriname and Curaçao. Not sure if this prepares the group much for WC. Maybe we can get a Euro or SA friendly scheduled with the camp.
While not the most difficult of opponents it should provide experience in breaking down a team who’s bunkered into a low block….And that should be helpful in preparing for Iran and whoever eventually wins out in the play-off match.
I’d like to see Pulisic & Weah as the wide attackers with a midfield trio of Musah, Reyna, & Adams (expect McKennie to just be getting back from injury). Usual suspects starting in defense with Jedi, Zimmer, Robinson, & Dest.
Subs: Scally, McKennie, Luca DLT, Aaronson, CF
I don’t think ES will bunker, they definitely tried to play throughout qualifying, especially at home. Grenada for sure. Just heard Uruguay for a friendly during that time.
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I read last week they think Wes will be back by end of April.
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Gomez, Mihailovic, Pomykal, Sonora or Ledezma. I need at least one of them.