The CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-finals are upon us, with protecting champions Mexico and fellow co-favorites the United States navigating some tricky checks all through group-stage motion.
joined Jamaica, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Canada and invited Qatar to the knockout rounds, el trai And the USMNT will face extra demanding situations if they’re to achieve the August 1 finals in Las Vegas.
– Gold Cup fixtures, effects, schedules and extra
– Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (US most effective)
– Don’t have ESPN? get quick get right of entry to
ESPN seems on the upcoming matchups and what to anticipate from this weekend’s clashes.
Go to: United States vs Jamaica | Mexico vs. Honduras | Qatar vs El Salvador | Costa Rica vs Canada
United States vs Jamaica
When: Sunday, 9:30 p.m. ET (Arlington, Texas)
Form Guide: USMNT supervisor Greg Berhalter introduced a formative years organization to the Gold Cup, and nonetheless, like lots of his predecessors, scored most issues from his 3 organization degree video games. This does now not imply that the street has develop into simple.
While the United States simply defeated Martinique 6–1 in the second one fit, it labored arduous to overcome Haiti and Canada with a rating of one–0. Veteran defender Walker Zimmermann has been dominated out with a hamstring harm, midfielder Paul Arriola is affected by a an identical ailment and ahead Daryl Dyke is scuffling with a shoulder harm.
– Carlisle: America’s win over Canada presentations the crew remains to be in shape
– Q&A with USMNT’s Mark McKenzie on Racial Abuse, Social Justice
Zimmermann’s loss is problematic in that it makes the already skinny core of the middle even thinner. That stated, the protection has inspired, with Miles Robinson, James Sands and Sam Wines taking part in way past their years. Shaq Moore has reinstated his case for long term involvement with America
Further within the box, the efficiency has been extra blended, particularly in the case of control of the Games. Now that the knockout phases have arrived, it would possibly not be simple.
After 2–0 and a couple of–1 victories over Suriname and Guadeloupe, respectively, a 1–0 loss to Costa Rica within the organization degree ultimate supposed that the “Reggae Boys” completed 2nd in Group C. The finish consequence used to be harsh for Jamaica. Number of maximum spending alternatives with Andre Gray. But it used to be additionally a fit wherein supervisor Theodore Whitmore rested maximum of his first-choice crew, to keep away from a yellow card suspension.
When to be had, Jamaica’s beginning lineup seems dynamic every now and then, with Leon Bailey, Shamar Nicholson and Philadelphia Union’s Corey Burke catching the attention. The protection has been robust, and Union’s Andre Blake regarded spectacular on objective when known as.
How’d it move: The US would find irresistible to do higher in controlling the tempo of the game. This used to be a topic in opposition to Haiti and Canada particularly, and given the uncertainty alongside the again line, the brink in ownership would assist protect a unit that lacks revel in. The large query is whether or not the diminished choices on the again imply that Berhalter will move alongside the four-man backline or proceed with the 3 centre-back alignment.
The home aspect would additionally like to restrict the alternatives for an infection, the place Bailey & Co may impulsively assault america. Bailey’s possible matchup with Vine can be price observing, regardless that each Vine and Moore may also be taking a look to transport ahead and assist pin Jamaica again.
For the Jamaicans, completing has been a topic, even supposing when they’ve transformed, they’ve been implausible. There has additionally been hope that Jamaica can be a greater grasp, but it surely has achieved smartly sufficient to transport on. An athletic, skilled Jamaican aspect will give America the whole thing it could possibly maintain, particularly in transition. — Jeff Carlisle
Mexico vs Honduras
When: Saturday, 10:00 p.m. ET (Glendale, Ariz.)
Form Guide: Ever since Hirving “Chuckie” Lozano went down with a terrifying head harm within the Group A opener in opposition to Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico struggled mightily to create and end probabilities in opposition to each and every opponent they confronted within the Gold Cup Is.
Mexico’s 4 objectives are the fewest of all 8 groups that punched their price tag to the quarter-finals, and after a powerful get started of their pleasant debut in opposition to Nigeria, striker Rogelio Funes Mori has cooled down somewhat a little bit. As anticipated, Mexico have held onto their matchup up to now, however have struggled to damage via in opposition to the stingy defensive setup in each and every game, with one exception. Against Trinidad and Tobago, el trai He held the ball for an excellent 83% of the game, and controlled 30 photographs on objective within the procedure, most effective to depart with a zero–0 draw.
– Gomez: How one spell may sink Mexico’s World Cup fortunes
Fortunately for the protecting champions, they’re going to face Honduras, who’ve scored essentially the most objectives amongst all match survivors. If Mexico can rating early within the quarterfinal fit, the game-going drive can be considerably diminished, permitting speedy wingers Jesus “Tekatito” Corona and Orbellin Pineda to counterattack when forward after necessarily turning down Honduras. pressured to develop.
Unlike their subsequent combatants, Honduras isn’t missing in front-line firepower. in his first two fits los catracos Scored seven objectives in opposition to Grenada and Panama to advance to the following spherical. However, they have been utterly unequalled in opposition to Asian Cup champions Qatar in Group D Coda and noticed a number of celebrity gamers – together with playmaker Albert “La Pantera” Ellis, offensive engine Rommel Quiuto and defensive chief Mayor Figueroa – endure accidents. Had to do
The largest query for Honduras going ahead would possibly not be whether or not Kyoto and Figueroa are just right to move in opposition to Mexico (Ellis is out with a damaged leg), however how efficient will they be and whether or not any individual else can pick out up the slack if they are able to. Two neglected duties.
How’d it move: There are necessarily two situations to determine what every crew can be keen to do. Mexico, in its function because the offensive, will most likely proceed to make use of the 4-3-3 formation which has yielded blended effects with out Lozano as anchor. Honduras would grasp again with 8 or 9 gamers in protection, without reference to their formation, as a way to drive fouls, counterattacking in opposition to a most commonly unused Mexican again line.
As discussed above, it behaves el trai To reach an early objective in order that it would proceed to keep watch over the pace of the game and mount its personal counterattack after Honduras used to be pressured to advance into an removing game. If Honduras can resist Mexico’s assaults and even discover a goal of its personal, it’ll put each and every closing little bit of drive on its combatants over the years.
Like each and every CONCACAF fit, Mexico can not have enough money to lose, particularly after dropping to the USMNT within the Nations League ultimate in June. Having stated that, el trai Lucky to play a blistering Honduras aspect that failed to provoke within the organization degree. — Eric Gomezo
Qatar vs El Salvador
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (Glendale, Ariz.)
Form Guide: As new supervisor Hugo Perez is emerging in El Salvador, l. a. selecta The former American global has misplaced most effective two times within the below 9 fits and certified for the overall phases of World Cup qualifying for the primary time in 3 rounds. Led through former Fiorentina guy Josh Perez (Hugo’s son) and the full of life Jairo Henriquez, El Salvador had a thrilling watch in organization play, developing a number of probabilities in 2–0 victories over Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago.
Backed through an excellent crowd on the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, El Salvador demonstrated in a 1–0 loss in opposition to Mexico that they wouldn’t be disillusioned through any opponent within the match.
The invitees arrived on the Qatar Gold Cup as thriller outfits, however briefly confirmed that the protecting Asian Cup champions don’t seem to be the one ones right here to make the numbers. Felix Sanchez’s males stunned Honduras in a 2-0 win on Tuesday night time to most sensible Group D and are the highest scorer in all of the match up to now with 9 objectives.
Xavi’s Al Saad disciple Akram Afif leads the match in created alternatives with 16, and is one in every of 3 Qatari gamers with two objectives, in conjunction with Almoez Ali and Abdelaziz Hatem.
How’d it move: While El Salvador’s frenetic taste gained over neutrals all through organization play, taking part in this manner in opposition to high-scoring Qatar can be a bad game. La Selecta rode his success and good Mario González within the objective (5 saves) in opposition to Mexico, so it served smartly to look Hugo Pérez attempt to push his crew again a little bit to keep away from being penalized within the quarter-finals. Will move
For Qatar, sports control can be the most important, as long term World Cup hosts will have to keep away from sloppy objectives and surrenders, as they did on 3 events of their first fit in opposition to Panama. Qatar may also be attacked, and in a knockout game, they are able to’t have enough money to modify from in the back of, particularly at the set piece.
While the quarterfinals don’t seem to be essentially the most high-profile of the matchups, this conflict guarantees to be essentially the most entertaining, as each groups are drilled into attacking objectives, which means that it must be a full of life affair. A pulsating, back-and-forth fit would give Qatar a slight edge because of its wealth of attacking ability and medical sophistication in entrance of the objective. — Gus Alvin
Costa Rica vs Canada
When: Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ET (Arlington, Texas)
Form Guide: Canada entered an eight-game profitable streak of their ultimate organization degree fit in opposition to the United States, and when it resulted in a 1–0 defeat, Canada lengthy outplayed the Americans and changed into a deadly aspect within the knockout rounds. Is. Even with out two headliners – Alfonso Davis and Jonathan David – Canada cruised to a 4-1 win through Haiti and Martinique and possession of the tiebreaker used to be drawn with the USMNT.
Coming into the match in deficient shape, Costa Rica re-established themselves as a risk to advance deeper into the match with 3 group-stage victories. Brian Ruiz’s objective secured a the most important 1–0 win in opposition to Jamaica to most sensible the gang, whilst Joel Campbell contributed. Los Ticos’ Victory in opposition to Guadeloupe.
How’d it move: This used to be now not an issue within the first two video games in opposition to unmatched opposition, however Canada used to be not able to create many bad probabilities in opposition to the United States. Costa Rica hasn’t been as defensive because the United States, however must supply a an identical problem to damage via – particularly making an allowance for that each Ayo Akinola and Cyl Larin can be unavailable because of accidents. Without any in their easiest assault choices to be had, Canada could also be pressured to take a seat deeper than they’d differently and hope to counter assault.
Costa Rica’s skilled squad used to be fairly unaware in their arrival within the match because the appointment of Luis Fernando Suárez happened a couple of weeks sooner than the beginning. This additionally makes it tricky to are expecting what possible wrinkles could also be unveiled at this degree of the contest. Because it’s such an skilled organization, alternatively, it’s affordable to suppose that Costa Rica can be comfy in a high-stakes fit in opposition to an upstart opponent. — Kyle Bonagura
.
