With the second round of CONCACAF qualifying wrapping up in the next week, let's take a look at each group and which teams are still fighting for advancement.
The six groups can be broken down into three different categories depending on the standings, so let's take a look at them.
Already Wrapped Up
Group C
1. Panama 9 pts, +10 GD
2. Nicaragua 3 pts, -3 GD
3. Dominica 0 pts, -7 GD
Panama clinched the top spot by winning 5-1 over Nicaragua last month in a group that they were by far the overwhelming favorite. They join Honduras and Cuba in group C in the third round. The Central American side wraps up round two on Tuesday against Dominica.
Nicaragua finishes its qualifying campaign Friday at home to Dominica while the traveling side has two more games left to attempt to grab its first points of qualifying, but may be searching more for its first goal instead.
Group E
1. Guatemala 12 pts, +10 GD
2. Grenada 4 pts, -1 GD
3. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4 pts, -6 GD
4. Belize 3 pts, -3 GD
Guatemala avoided any scares in its four games, scoring 12 goals and only conceding two. They clinched progression to group A in round three where they will join the USA and Jamaica as of now. The Guatemalans now have the luxury of using its final two games against Grenada in this round to try out new players.
Grenada's difficult and tumultuous qualifying journey concludes with two matches versus the group winners. Vincy Heat and Belize finish their campaigns with two games against each other, and if one nation can take six points they can finish second.
All But Locked Up
Group A
1. El Salvador 12 pts, +10 GD
2. Suriname 7 pts, 0 GD
3. Dominican Republic 4 pts, 0 GD
4. Cayman Islands 0 pts, -9 GD
El Salvador won its first four matches but still has a little work to do in order to ensure the top spot. The Salvadorans only need one point from their two matches with Suriname to clinch first.
Suriname is still ruing missed opportunities in its first four games. They blew a lead in the Dominican Republic that would have them on nine points at this moment. Now they must defeat El Salvador twice in order to shock the world and move onward.
The Dominican Republic will look wrap an improved qualifying performance by defeating the Cayman Islands twice. The Dominicans already have a victory to their credit, a 3-1 win in Suriname. The Cayman's are still searching for their first point and are unlikely to get it.
Group D
1. Canada 10 pts, +13 GD
2. Saint Kitts and Nevis 6 pts, +2 GD
3. Puerto Rico 3 pts, -3 GD
4. Saint Lucia 1 pt, -12 GD
Canada could have clinched first place last matchday, but they stumbled to a 0-0 draw at home to Puerto Rico. However, they are still in excellent shape and only need one draw from their two games with Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Saint Kitts and Nevis will be hugely disappointed that they could not grab some more wins in their first four games. While they are unbeaten, SKN has three draws including one against lowly Saint Lucia. Now they need two wins to upset the Canadians.
Puerto Rico also has three draws, but have not tallied a win thus far. They expect six points in the next two matches with Saint Lucia, which may see them end up second in the group.
A Tight Battle
Group B
1. Guyana 10 pts, +5 GD
2. Trinidad and Tobago 9 pts, +6 GD
3. Bermuda 4 pts, -1 GD
4. Barbados 0 pts, -10 GD
Guyana is clinging to the summit of group B with a narrow one point lead over Trinidad and Tobago. The two sides meet in Guyana Friday, followed by another meeting in T&T Tuesday. Guyana only needs one win to clinch and can also do so by two draws. Trinidad and Tobago is still the favorite, but needs to win both matches.
Bermuda has had a highly successful campaign for such a lowly nation and can finish out with two victories against Barbados. Barbados may have had the most disappointing round two of any nation, not scoring a goal and losing all of its matches to this point.
Group F
1. Antigua and Barbuda 12 pts, +21 GD
2. Haiti 10 pts, +15 GD
3. Curaçao 1 pt, -6 GD
4. U.S. Virgin Islands 0 pts, -30 GD
As expected, this group will come down to the final two games between Antigua and Barbuda and Haiti. Antigua and Barbuda holds a slight advantage at the top of the group thanks to Haiti's draw with Curaçao. If Antigua and Barbuda is able to win on Friday at home, they will clinch winning the group. Two draws will also get the job done for Antigua and Barbuda while Haiti must win both matches.
Curaçao will conclude its campaign with high hopes of winning their first competitive matches when they face the amateurs of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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