League A QFs continue with Jamaica-Canada, Honduras-Mexico

MIAMI, Florida – The League A quarterfinals of the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League continue on Friday with Jamaica hosting Canada and Honduras welcoming in Mexico for their respective first leg matches.

All four sides are aiming to advance to the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League Finals in March and qualify for the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024.

Match Officials 

Jamaica vs. Canada

The exciting day of action kicks off with Jamaica hosting Canada at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica.

On the line is Jamaica’s unbeaten streak in CNL play, as they have amassed nine wins and five draws in 14 all-time CNL matches, including a 3W-1D-0L mark in Group B of this year’s edition to reach this phase.

In 22 all-time matches between the two, the Canadians hold an 10W-6D-6L edge, but Jamaica certainly have the talent to improve their record.

Demarai Gray was sensational in the group stage in scoring three goals, while Shamar Nicholson was his usual superb CNL self, scoring two goals while adding to his all-time CNL assists mark of six.

Bobby Reid, another player capable of producing the spectacular, supplied two goals and an assist, while working hard defensively in making eight ball recoveries.

Canada enter the 2023-24 CNL fray after finishing as runners-up in the 2022-23 edition and will be keen to make a return trip to the CNL Finals.

Their previous match-up in Kingston saw the teams play to a 0-0 draw in October 2021 during Concacaf World Cup Qualifying for Qatar 2022.

Many of the players who led Canada to their second ever FIFA World Cup qualification are back in the fold for this two-legged series, including star striker Jonathan David, winger Junior Hoilett and flying left back Alphonso Davies.

David and Davies are tied for the most CNL goals for Canada with five each, while Davies has 14 goals in 42 total appearances with Canada. Hoilett delivered top performances for Canada during the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, scoring a goal and chipping in two assists.

Honduras vs. Mexico

Long-time rivals Honduras and Mexico square off at the Estadio Nacional Chelato Ucles in Tegucigalpa.

This will mark the 44^th encounter between the two nations, with Mexico holding a 26W-10D-7L advantage, while outscoring them 81-29 in the process.

Honduras arrive at this series after claiming a second-place finish in Group B. After opening with a 1-0 loss to Jamaica, Honduras rallied to earn seven points from their final three matches to clinch their quarterfinal spot.

Edwin Rodriguez was a force to be reckoned with in the group stage in scoring two goals and contributing two assists. Luis Palma was an attacking threat as well with a goal and two assists.

Deybi Flores has for years been a workhorse in the Honduras midfield and the four matches in Group B were no exception, as he completed 241 of 273 passes and made four ball recoveries.

Many of the players who helped Mexico win the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup will lead El Tricolor into the opening 90 minutes in Tegucigalpa on Friday night, namely veteran GK Guillermo Ochoa, who won the Gold Cup Golden Glove Award for the four clean sheets he recorded during the tournament.

FW Santiago Gimenez, the hero of the Final for his late goal to defeat Panama 1-0, is also back in the ranks, as is ever-dangerous free-kick specialist Luis Chavez, who scored two goals in the Gold Cup and led the team in shots with 18.

The last time Honduras faced Mexico was in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on June 25th, with a 4-0 victory for Mexico, including two goals from Luis Romo along with goals from Orbelin Pineda and Luis Chávez.