Interesting article on the rise of CONCACAF conference in soccer
Long gone is the time when the nets of the best teams of CONCACAF were simply used for target practice by European and South American teams. Watching the goalkeepers picking up the ball from the back of the nets was a common scene. Fortunately, CONCACAF has risen to become a force that no other confederations can look down upon.
In 1974 at Munich, Poland mercilessly pulverized Haiti 7-0. In 1978, Mexico was lucky to escape the wrath of the like of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Heinz Flohe of West Germany with a 6-0 defeat; in 1982, Hungary massacred El Salvador 10-1 in Spain; in 1990, Czechoslovakia severely punished USA 5-1. Scores like those were considered normal for the minnows we were. Despite some spotty good showings of teams like Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, and Honduras, CONCACAF was generally considered the Cinderella of the world cups, a status they shared with Oceania and sometimes Asia. However, gone is that time when a representative from the CONCACAF region was considered a weak team. CONCACAF football is now at a level where the top 10 teams of the region can hold their own against the traditional powerhouses.
In 1998, their only World Cup appearance thus far, Jamaica became both the smallest nation to score in and the smallest nation to win a World Cup match. Their appearance wasn't spectacular, with a 3-1 loss to Croatia and a 5-0 thumping from Argentina, but they did beat Japan 2-1 in their final game. Jamaica's success with such a small population and such limited resources is impressive. They made it to the final stage of CONCACAF qualifying in this past campaign (one stage further than Canada got), but finished last in the hexagonal round.
Trinidad and Tobago qualified for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, its first-ever qualification for the tournament. They became the smallest country to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 2006, succeeding Haiti for the title. In Germany, Trinidad and Tobago was grouped with England, Sweden and Paraguay in Group B. The team earned some international respect after a draw with Sweden in their opening game and managing to hold England scoreless for 83 minutes. Trinidad and Tobago finished with their first-ever point from World Cup play after finishing 0–1–2 for the tournament.
In 2013, Haiti took Spain and Italy to deep waters in two high profiles friendlies in Brazil. Spain was pushed to the limit to hold on to its meager 2-1 lead while Italy was lucky to escape with a 2-2 draw. Those results were a prelude to what happened at the World Cup of 2014 where Costa Rica won its group undefeated and in style beating former world champions Italy and Uruguay. USA and Mexico also posted high profile victories over respectable gatekeeper teams like Cameroun, Ghana, and Croatia. CONCACAF was the third most successful confederation behind UEFA and CONMEBOL.
Interestingly, CONCACAF teams keep rising to surpass themselves. In recent international friendlies, CONCACAF teams dominate their opponents from various confederations. On March 27, Haiti traveled to China where it forced the host to work hard for a 2-2 draw while Jamaica overpowered Venezuela with a 2-1 victory. Paraguay, a respectable contender from CONMEBOL, was lucky to escape the Ticos with a 0-0. The following day, El Salvador traveled to the lion den in Argentina where the Cuscatlecos delivered a great fight against the several times world cup titlist and runner-up at the last world cup before losing 2-0 but Mexico quickly brushed that aside with a 1-0 win over Ecuador. Therefore, in two days CONCACAF teams registered 2 victories, 2 draws, and just 1 defeat versus CONMEBOL teams.
The rise of super teams capable of taking on the world traditional powers in all three regions of the confederation will certainly lead to more entertaining and competitive Gold Cup and World Cup qualifying tournaments. In the Caribbean, teams like Jamaica, Haiti, and Trinidad are no-pushovers whereas Central America is home to giant killers like Costa Rica, Honduras, and El Salvador. North America features Mexico and USA, two teams highly respected outside the confederation. The level of play and player skills at the latest U-20 tournament in Jamaica were very remarkable. We have had a glimpse at the stars of tomorrow and we saw them in every team of the tournament. In fact, each country features a number of brilliant youth players who would be on the short lists of any European or South American teams. It is safe to say that CONCACAF football will continue to rise.
