First place at stake in U.S.-Cuba, Honduras-Costa Rica

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras – First place finishes in both Group E and Group H will be at stake on Wednesday at the 2022 Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship in Honduras, with the United States facing Cuba and hosts Honduras taking on Costa Rica.

Saint Kitts and Nevis vs Canada

The day will start in Group E at the Estadio Nacional in Tegucigalpa between Saint Kitts and Nevis and Canada in the second ever CMU20 meeting between the two nations. Their first was a 2-1 Saint Kitts and Nevis win in 2018.

Canada sit on one point in third place and can secure a place in the next round with at least a draw, while a victory for Saint Kitts and Nevis would catapult the Caribbean side over the Canadians and into the Round of 16.

Canada got their first point and first goals of the tournament in Monday’s 2-2 draw with the U.S. in which Lowell Wright opened the scoring for his side. The Sugar Boyz are still searching for their first goal of the CMU20, but in GK Xander Parke , who has 11 saves this far in the tournament, they know they have a shot-stopper who can keep them in games.

Cuba vs USA

That will be followed by a pivotal affair between the U.S. and Cuba in what will be the second CMU20 contest these two teams have had, with their first being a 2-0 U.S. win in 2013.

Cuba are atop the group with six points, while the U.S. are second with four, so a draw at a minimum would be enough to win the group for the Cubans.

The islanders will have to be wary of the U.S. firepower, with Paxten Aaronson, Nikolas Tsakiris and Cade Cowell all with two goals in the tournament. Cuba’s Kevin Martin has been just as effective, with his two goals each serving as the game-winning goals for his side.

Jamaica vs. Antigua and Barbuda

Group H will return to the Estadio Morazan in San Pedro Sula, beginning with an all-Caribbean battle between Jamaica and Antigua and Barbuda, a first ever meeting in the CMU20.

Jamaica are in third place with a point and can reach the knockout stage with a draw or win, but Antigua and Barbuda harbor hopes of the Round of 16 as well and a win will be enough to do it. Jahmari Clarke has Jamaica’s lone goal this far, while the Benna Boys are hoping to find the back of the net for the first time in this year’s edition.

Honduras vs. Costa Rica

The day then concludes with host nation Honduras squaring off with fellow Central Americans Costa Rica in the fourth CMU20 meeting between the two sides. A 0-0 draw in 2009 and a 1-1 draw in 2018 sandwich Honduras’ 2-1 win in 2017, so the Ticos will be aiming for their first win against the Catrachos in this tournament.

Three points would send Costa Rica to first place, while the hosts only need a draw. Honduras boast plenty of firepower with Marco Aceituno and Jefryn Macias each on three goals, while Dorian Rodriguez has been the biggest threat for the Ticos with two goals.

Game Notes, Stats Group E and H CAN vs SKN, USA vs CUBA JAM vs ATG HON vs CRC