CONCACAF Chronicles

 Can they do it? A fairly direct question if I must say so. That query is aim at the Caribbean contingent left in World Cup Qualifiers for Brazil 2014. Guyana (South American Nation), Antigua and Barbuda and Jamaica are all that remain from the West Indies. To think Antigua's name is still in the hat for qualification at this the group stage proper while Trinidad sit in Port of Spain still reminiscing about Germany 2006 and have left to pick up their teeth from the haymakers landed by the Guyanese this World Cup campaign. As for Jamaica finally they maybe starting to accept the title as the premier Caribbean team. Too long now the Jamaicans have just  been content to humble the the smaller islands and lose in close encounters to sides on the main land like Panama and the United States. Some may argue that Guyana should even be in CONCACAF with the nation fixed at the apex of South America but everyone familiar with the geo-political runnings of the region knows that Guyana is just as Caribbean of any of the islands in the archipelago. I certainly didn't expect Guyana to get this far and well I don't think much of them as a threat outside the realm of cricket but they are here not at the very end but in touching distance.
 So where are we? Let's start alphabetically and team least likely to progress and that would be, Antigua and Barbuda. The men from St.John's find themselves in Group A this term with the Jamaicans, the enigmatic Guatemala and the United States who need know introduction. The dual island nation will find little joy in this group and to be honest, as much I would  like them to sneak their way through the back door. I can only see pure punishment for the Antiguans. Although some of their players ply their trade in the lower leagues of America and Britain the gulf is too great.
 The "Golden Jaguars," of Guyana sit in Group B with the Central American elite. I find it ironic that Mexico, gave birth to the Aztec civilization one of the richest  cultures in the New World, the Aztecs had an order a of warrior called the Jaguar Knight. This class of warrior got their name because they wore a jaguars skinned pelt into battle. Guyana's first game is against Mexico. That is a pretty bad omen for the South Americans. This could be a real hard lesson for the Guyanese. Luckily that is as bad as it gets for them. The Guyanese them have to take their talents to Mexico's skillful neighbour Costa Rica who are a staple in CONCACAF and can count themselves as being one of the marquee teams in the region. Led by Bryan Ruiz no doubt they will be there at the end of CONCACAF qualifying. Guatemala may not be as stern as the Mexicans and the Costa Ricans but they have had many a battle with the hegemony of the region for years so they know how to carry themselves. I liken them to Peek-A-Boo boxer who doesn't have the a strong inside game or the power of a brawler but waits and wears down opponents with quick jabs. Guyana has something about them this term though but whatever it is they are going to need a flux of it if they are to have any chance.
 Jamaica is the only side out of the trio I have a glimmer of hope for progression. Highlight the word,  "glimmer." Jamaica has been here before. They have made it to the hex before and they have gone further by even making it to a World Cup finals but that was a long time ago. Jamaica were afforded big boy status by starting their campaign like the USA and Mexico at this stage of the qualifiers. They didn't have to go through the long process of wading through teams like Bermuda and St. Lucia to get to this point. Sounds good right? It does in theory but to me, Jamaica is a momentum team who need to steam roll teams from the on set. Simply put, Jamaica has not been playing meaningful games of late, only friendlies so I fear they may have rust or more importantly a blunted edge. Jamaica is a team that has a fair set of runners and they are powerful but are they actually good with the ball? A side can easily pass around them . They have nothing to fear from Antigua they should put them in their place. As for Guatemala that will be close if Jamaica is really energized. The United States is different. They know they have Jamaica's number and Jamaica in recent games against "Uncle Sam's Army," have played really cautious and strained. America know if they can hit Jamaica early it's over for Kinston's finest. Jamaica must and has to play their running, a quick game to progress to the next round. 
 The next stage after this is the hexagonal. The top two from these three groups and if one of these three Caribbean nations could make it to the hex they certainly have a chance to make it to Brazil.