MIAMI, Florida – Group A of the 2020 Concacaf Men’s Olympics Qualifying championship features Mexico, United States, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, which should make for a memorable slate of matches beginning on Thursday, March 18.
It all starts with four-time CMOQ winner Mexico, who will be seeking a repeat of the titles that they won in 2012 and 2015.
When it comes to El Tricolor, there is never any rebuilding, only reloading. Once again Mexico boast a talent-rich squad that has all the makings to not only reach the knockout round, but also lift the trophy. And with an all-time CMOQ record of 35W-8D-5L, including 2W-2D-2L and 3W-1D-0L against group rivals U.S. and Costa Rica, respectively, Mexico will like their chances in any match-up.
Mexico will be able to count on a wealth of Concacaf experience, starting with attacking players Uriel Antuna of Chivas and Cruz Azul’s Roberto Alvarado. Both players were crucial in Mexico’s run to the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup title, with Antuna scoring four goals, including a hat trick in his Gold Cup debut, while Alvarado appeared in all six of Mexico’s Gold Cup matches, scoring one goal.
The U.S. have not reached a CMOQ Final since 2008, but the quality of players assembled by Head Coach Jason Kreis should give the U.S. a great chance to advance to Tokyo.
From back to front, the U.S. possess a very deep squad, with right back Julian Araujo of the Los Angeles Galaxy, midfielder Andres Perea and forward Jesus Ferreira among the players who already have senior national team experience.
Interestingly enough, the group stage finale between the U.S. and Mexico on March 24 in Guadalajara will mark the first CMOQ meeting between the two nations since their 2004 semifinal, which also took place in Guadalajara and ended with a 4-0 Mexico victory. Meanwhile, a 1W-1D-0L CMOQ record against Costa Rica should provide a confident boost for the U.S. ahead of next Thursday’s opener.
Costa Rica will be out for their first Olympics berth since Athens 2004 and by the looks of the results in the 2020 Scotiabank Concacaf League, the Ticos will fancy their chances.
Many of the young players that were part of 2020 SCL finalists Liga Deportiva Alajuelense and Deportivo Saprissa will join forces in the CMOQ, including Alajuelense DF Fernan Faerron, Saprissa MF Jimmy Marin and Alajuelense FW Juerguens Montenegro. Faerron earned the Best Young Player Award in the tournament, while Marin and Montenegro each scored for their respective sides.
Rounding out Group A is a Dominican Republic team that could prove to be a headache. While the tournament will mark the CMOQ debut for the Caribbean side, the islanders have a very versatile and blue-collar squad that will be hungry to show the rest of the region that Dominican Republic football is on the rise.
Attacking player Dorny Romero is no stranger to Concacaf competitions after previously featuring for the Dominican Republic in the Concacaf Nations League, while 18-year-old MF Fabien Messina is a key member of German club Hoffenheim’s Under-19 team.
