MIAMI, Florida – Matchday 11 in the Third Round of Concacaf World Cup Qualifying for Qatar 2022 saw several players deliver top performances on the final date of the January-February window.
Here is the Best XI from Matchday 11.
GK Keylor Navas (CRC) – The legendary Costa Rican shot-stopper completed a perfect winter window in which he kept three clean sheets, highlighted by Wednesday’s performance in the 1-0 win at Jamaica. Navas made several jaw-dropping saves, finishing the game with four stops.
DF Samuel Adekugbe (CAN) – Adekugbe was once again a strong presence on Canada’s left flank with a shot and steal, while completing 28 of 36 passes in Canada’s 2-0 win at El Salvador.
DF Walker Zimmerman (USA) – It is no coincidence that when Zimmerman is on the field for the U.S., a victory usually comes their way. Zimmerman scored the second goal in the 3-0 U.S. win versus Honduras. The center back also had an assist and completed 97 percent of his passes.
DF Kendall Waston (CRC) – Waston has been immense throughout the January-February window, including a brilliant display in Kingston in the Ticos’ 1-0 triumph. The veteran DF had two steals and always seemed to be in the middle of a clearance or winning an aerial duel.
DF Nestor Araujo (MEX) – Mexico emerged with a 7-point window thanks in large part to the play of Araujo, namely in the 1-0 win over Panama. The Canaleros’ attack was largely stifled in the second half, with Araujo playing a big role. He also finished the night completing 94% of his passes.
MF Kellyn Acosta (USA) – Acosta had a hand in all three goals in the U.S. win against Honduras. His inch-perfect free kick set up Weston McKennie’s opener, followed by another free kick that led to Zimmerman’s goal and capped by a corner kick that was scored by Christian Pulisic.
MF Weston McKennie (USA) – McKennie got the U.S. off to a dream start with his early goal in the 3-0 victory against Honduras. It was the exclamation point on a performance that included three steals, two shots and 55 of 64 passes completed.
MF Diego Lainez (MEX) – Lainez was the epitome of a super-sub for Mexico, as he came off the bench and sparked El Tricolor to a crucial 1-0 win versus Panama. Lainez won the second half penalty that was converted by Raul Jimenez and completed 100 percent of his passes in his 29 minutes on the field.
MF Joel Campbell (CRC) – Just moments after Costa Rica failed to convert a penalty kick, Campbell soared to the rescue with a fantastic goal by receiving a ball, avoiding two defenders and firing in an inch-perfect shot that beat Jamaica GK Andre Blake.
FW Raul Jimenez (MEX) – Cool as a cucumber, Jimenez slotted home a late penalty to deliver the three points for Mexico against Panama. Jimenez was a workhorse throughout with four shots total and 13 completed passes.
FW Jonathan David (CAN) – After scoring in Canada’s 2-0 win at Honduras in the opening match of the window, David was back at it, tallying his second goal in three games in the 2-0 win at El Salvador. It was a second half stoppage time strike that capped a performance in which he completed 78 percent of his passes and had three shots.
