The first window of CONCACAF Nations League is in the books. The different leagues are looking to be shuffled and the Gold Cup picture is shaping up. This post is an overview of the action that took place in the three levels of the CONCACAF Nations League so far. We’ll start in League C, where I figured that most of the league is on equal footing and the competition is a level playing field. Two teams have been granted promotion already; with 2023 shaping up to be a showdown for the remaining groups to see who goes up.
Group A
Bonaire have been the class of Group A and arguably of all of League C. Already in double-digit point totals through 4 games, they seem to be almost unbeatable. All 3 of their wins have have a 2+ goal gap, with their only competition being Sint Maarten, where they drew 2-2. Their next game in March should decide the promotion battle.
Bonaire’s Ayrton Cicilia, a 21 year old forward, leads the goal-tally with 5 on the Nations League season to go with 3 assists. He opened up the tournament with a hattrick against Turks and Caicos Islands. He’s been very impressive to say the least. A good eye for goal, good technique and makes smart decisions with the ball.
Sint Maarten have been somewhat inconsistent in their performances. Look at their last two games against Turks and Caicos. They beat them 8-2 only to lose the next game 2-0. Gerwin Lake scored half of the team’s goals in that match, only to go goalless in the reverse fixture. They represent Bonaire’s biggest threat for the promotion spot, but even if they win in the return leg, I don’t see Bonaire losing to Turks and Caicos. I firmly believe Bonaire gains promotion, and we’ll see how far they get in Gold Cup Prelims.
Not much to talk about with the U.S. Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos, the latter of which have already been eliminated. Junior Paul and Billy Forbes combined for 5 goals so far, but it’s not enough to balance out their porous backline who have allowed a league-worse 15 goals. The USVI, other than a 3-2 win over T&C, couldn’t get positive results over Bonaire and Sint Maarten.
Group B
This group has been surprisingly close, at least to me, given what St. Kitts and Nevis managed to do in the World Cup Qualifying group stages last year. They share the group with Aruba and Saint Martin. Minus a 3-0 rout of Saint Martin in favor of Aruba, the games have been pretty tight. SKN and Aruba are tied with a win-loss-draw each, and Saint Martin are still in the hunt once they could get a win.
The Sugar Boyz won their WCQ group qualifiers with the likes of Trinidad and Tobago, Puerto Rico and Guyana present, which set precedent for them to be the favorites to leave League C. However, Aruba have made it a little difficult. St. Kitts won the first matchup 3-2 on Aruba’s home turf which could be the difference as they head back to Basseterre next March. Saint Martin could play spoiler but goal difference could ultimately do them in.
Group C
Group C was up in the air in terms of who was going to win. St. Lucia, Dominica and Anguilla to me were all on the same level but it will be St. Lucia that will be heading back to League B (although I don’t believe they’re going to stay there). Kurt Frederick, their most capped player, scoring the free-kick that would earn them promotion, was a feel good moment.
Essentially, St. Lucia was the team that simply won. Two wins in these 3 team groups is all it takes. But because there’s so much parity in Group C, its hard to get those wins unless you have the talent and coaching that is superior to the competition. Anguilla and Dominica had two draws in both their games and St. Lucia just won both their games against each team. Now we’ll see if St. Lucia can make the Gold Cup.
Group D
Puerto Rico doesn’t belong in League C, that much was certain. Especially when they share the group with the Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands. They’re ranked 206th and 209th in the World (35th and 41st in CONCACAF), respectively. Puerto Rico are 172nd in the world and 28th in CONCACAF, just to compare and get that out the way.
After Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands split their games in two 1-1affairs, Puerto Rico just upped and routed both teams without conceding. They earned promotion with two games still to play. It’s clear that Puerto Rico is miles ahead of both CONCACAF members in their football development. The question for Puerto Rico now is can they stay in Group B? They’ll get a taste of the competition level in the Gold Cup Prelims next year.
Ricardo Rivera was one of PR’s standout players with a 4 goal haul against BVI, at times making it look effortless. Issac Angking had a brace against the Cayman Islands and, at 22, he’s a player that looks to be pivotal to Puerto Rico football’s future. Give credit to Puerto Rico’s defenders and goalkeepers. They started 19 different players over their two games. That’s what you do for training games.
Tomorrow we’ll look at Group B to see who’s in danger of the drop and who will be making their way to the Gold Cup and into CONCACAF’s elite.