Team USA will soon know its final group member in CONCACAF’s Group A. Four teams will play home-and-home matches to try to advance to the final six teams in the region’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying stage. The United States are in Group A and await one more team to move into the group.
Guatemala already won Group E in Round 2 to earn a place with the United States and Jaimaca. The winner of Group F for Round 2 joins them. Guatemala has won all four of its matches so far with wins over Belize and St. Vincent/Grenadines. The Central Americans have scored 12 goals and given up only two.
In Group F, the qualifying team will come down to the final two matches to be played Nov. 11 and Nov. 15. Antigua and Barbuda have 12 points on four wins. They will play Haiti which have 10 points on three wins and a draw. The winner of the group is rewarded by being placed with Team USA.
Antigua and Barbuda along with Haiti have dominated the two other group teams. Both the U.S. Virgin Islands and Curacao have but one draw between them. Despite a 19-4 goal differential in favor of Haiti, a 2-2 draw against Curacao leave them in second place in Group F. Antigua and Barbuda have a 24-3 goal differential.
A victory by Antigua and Barbuda in either of their two remaining games means they move on. Had Haiti beaten Curacao, both teams would be tied with 12 points atop the standings. Haiti need a win and at least a draw over two matches to qualify for the next round.
Either way, the United States have an easier time than other teams in CONCACAF qualifying. Group B consists of Mexico, Costa Rica and probably El Salvador. Joining them with either be Trinidad and Tobago or Guyana. Group C already has Honduras, Cuba and Panama. A much improved Canadian side is the fourth likely participant.
The top two teams in these groups form a large six-team group to determine who goes to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Currently, Mexico is the top-ranked team in the region at 22nd in the world. The United States are next at 34 followed by Jamaica at 50.
At the 2010 World Cup, the United States, Mexico and Honduras qualified from CONCACAF. They lead the qualifications for 2014.
William Browning played soccer for ten years growing up in the St. Louis area. He has been a fan of Sporting Kansas City ever since Major League Soccer starting playing in 1996.
