United States vs Grenada
SWANSEA, WALES – NOVEMBER 12: Yunus Musah of United States of America during the international friendly match between Wales and the USA at Liberty Stadium on November 12, 2020 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
The United States begin the defence of their CONCACAF Nations League trophy.
In the inaugural season, the U.S. topped their group above Canada and Cuba before a hard-fought semi-final victory over Honduras.
Then, in last June’s thrilling final, goals from Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic downed rivals Mexico 3-2 after extra time in Denver.
Since then, Gregg Berhalter’s team have also lifted the Gold Cup, beating Mexico in that final too, and qualified for the World Cup.
Right now, the Stars and Stripes have just four games to go before their World Cup opener against Wales in Al-Rayyan on 21 November.
So far this month, USA have played a pair of friendly, first convincingly beating Morocco 3-0 in Cincinnati.
Then, on Sunday, they held much tougher opposition, namely Uruguay, to an encouraging goalless draw over in Kansas.
To round out the month, the U.S. face two Nations League games, travelling to El Salvador to round out the four-game window on Tuesday.
Having won all three previous meetings with Grenada, scoring ten goals, the home crowd in Austin will be expecting a routine victory.
As for the Spice Boys, this is their first season competing in the Nations League’s top-tier, winning promotion with 14 points last time round.
Already this month, Michael Findlay’s side have played their two fixtures against El Salvador, with mixed results.
Grenada looked set to really struggle at this level when they were beaten 3-1 at Estadio Cuscatlán last weekend.
However, on Tuesday, goals from Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong and then Jamal Charles earned them a credible draw in St. George’s.
Nevertheless, to avoid relegation straight back to League B, they’ll now have to beat the U.S. at least once, hosting the holders on 24 March.
Here, anything other than an empathic United States victory at Q2 Stadium would be a serious shock.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines vs Trinidad & Tobago
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – JULY 06: Andre Fortune #14 of Trinidad & Tobago celebrates with his teammates after winning in penalties shootout against French Guiana as part of CONCACAF Gold Cup 2021 preliminaries at DRV PNK Stadium on July 6, 2021 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
Will Trinidad & Tobago stay in the hunt for immediate promotion back to the Nations League’s top-tier?
The Soca Warriors’ promotion hopes suffered an early set back on matchday one as they were beaten 2-1 by Nicaragua in Managua.
However, three days later, T&T got back on track by beating Bahamas 1-0 in Port-of-Spain; Neveal Hackshaw with the night’s only goal.
Traditionally, Trinidad & Tobago are one of CONCACAF’s heavyweights, qualifying for the 2006 World Cup and 13 of the last 18 Gold Cups.
However, in recent years, they’ve suffered Nations League A relegation, before being eliminated from World Cup qualifying by St. Kitts & Nevis.
Thus, Angus Eve is aiming to take his country back to the confederation’s top table, and three points in Arnos Vale are vital if they’re to do that.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines meanwhile are the minnows of this group, just battling to avoid relegation to the bottom-tier.
So far the Vincy Heat have lost 1-0 to relegation rivals Bahamas, before Monday credible draw against group leaders Nicaragua at home.
Azinho Solomon and Oalex Anderson both on target in the latter.
St. Vincent won three of six Nations League games in 2019, narrowly missing out on promotion, but are finding victories harder to come-by this year.
Will Trinidad & Tobago be too strong at Arnos Vale Stadium?
Dominican Republic vs Guatemala
Guatemala’s Luis Martínez (L) celebrates after scoring a goal during the Gold Cup Prelims football match between Guatemala and Guadeloupe at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 6, 2021. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP) (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
Both have made mixed start to their Nations League campaigns, so will either get three more points on the board in Santo Domingo?
Guatemala were favourites for promotion when the draw was made, but began their campaign with a surprise 2-0 defeat in French Guinea.
Then, on Sunday, they got back on track, beating group minnows Belize 2-0 at home with Carlos Mejía on target from the spot.
Los Chapines were forced to compete in the Nations League’s bottom-tier in 2019, winning all four matches, scoring 25 goals and conceding zero.
Now, Luis Fernando Tena’s team are targeting back-to-back promotions, and three points here would really aid their cause.
Dominican Republic meanwhile have enjoyed exactly the same start to their campaign, only in reverse.
Los Quisqueyanos beat Belize 2-0 on matchday one before losing 3-2 to French Guinea at the weekend, conceding a pair of quick-fire goals.
Dorny Romero and Jean Carlos López have been on target in both fixtures to date.
Dominican Republic finished third in their League B group three years ago, meaning they’ve still never qualified for a Gold Cup in 13 attempts.
The winners of this group will qualify for the 2023 edition, while the runners-up go into the preliminary qualifiers for the tournament.
With so much to play for, who will come out on top at Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez?
Bahamas vs Nicaragua
DENVER, CO – JUNE 06: The Trophy of Championship is displayed during the CONCACAF Nations League Championship Final between United States and Mexico at Empower Field At Mile High on June 6, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
Can Nicaragua take control at the top of League C?
So far, la Azul y Blanco have four points on the board, starting with a statement 2-1 victory over group favourites Trinidad & Tobago.
Then, on Monday, they were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Byron Bonilla and Matias Belli Moldskred the scorers in Arnos Vale.
Nevertheless, Marco Antonio Figueroa’s side remain a point clear of T&T at the top of group, looking for another three points here.
Bahamas meanwhile beat St. Vincent back on matchday one, thanks to Lesly St. Fleur’s spot-kick in Nassau.
However, the Baha Boyz could not build on that in their second outing, narrowly losing 1-0 to Trinidad thanks to a fourth minute goal in Port-of-Spain.
Nesley Jean’s side won promotion from the Nations League’s bottom tier in 2019, so are merely attempting to remain at this level.
So, Nicaragua are big favourites to win at Thomas Robinson Stadium.
