Well halfway through the final round, CR, USA, and Honduras sit in the auto-spots and Mexico would be going into the playoff if it ended today. USA at Mexico will be big. Mexico has looked like utter dog crap on the road, but has won its two home games, though this Trinidad game wasn't all that convincing. The US, if it can get on the ball just a bit more, has a chance to get a result here. Would love to see them get at least a draw at the Azteca. The US has its ills, but hopefully between the Confederations Cup and the Gold Cup the USA will have lots of time together to get their problems sorted out. Mexico could use a good finish in the Gold Cup to boost confidence and show they can win in not-Azteca. It'd be especially interesting if USA and Mexico met in the Gold Cup final again, a little preview to the World Cup qualifier, eh?
I think the USA has done enough that they would have to completely collapse not to qualify, and Costa Rica looks like qualifying just by how well they've been playing. Trinidad can score goals but not enough, sadly I think they're all but done. Perhaps they were done after game one, where they let a 2 goal lead vanish in stoppage time. It's all to play for with Honduras, El Salvador, and Mexico now. Mexico will be looking for revenge on those two at home, while El Sal and Honduras could help put Mexico to bed if either of them could beat El Tri at Azteca, or even if they could both manage a draw. Keep in mind they both won big at their own Estadios, 2-1 for El Sal and 3-1 for Honduras, with both Mexican goals coming on late penalties. Actually this is what concerns me the most is that Mexico had three away matches and scored a whopping two goals, both on penalties. They need to fix that before August 12. Honduras is better than a lot of people think, but El Salvador, we'll see about. Good at times, shaky at others, and they keep preferring Miguel Montes in goal...the guy is just about the worst goalie I have ever seen. I suppose they also had a penalty in the Mexico game, though they did get a normal goal too, for what it's worth. I think if Mexico can't solve it's away woes, that they must settle for the playoff spot, with CR, Honduras, and the USA in some order filling in the top three. I can't see Mexico not placing fourth with El Salvador questionable and Trinidad looking lost throughout the competition. Whoever they meet in the playoff (currently Ecuador) will be tough as South America is stacked. Actually, Argentina could slip into the playoff spot too with another loss... Mexico v Argentina...great match-up! In 2006 this was a knockout round game that went into overtime...can you imagine if they had to play just to get in? Two soccer-mad countries trying to give the other their worst summer ever...man. I kinda hope that happens now.