USA vs. Barbados
USA embark on the road to South Africa 2010 wondering who will score their goals. Their three-match swing against England, Spain, and Argentina ended goalless, and of the seven goals scored in 2008 only two came from a striker (Altidore and Donovan). The team is also very much in transition -- eight players of the 21-man squad have never played in a World Cup qualifier, including four in midfield. Fortunately the USA will be able to count on Donovan and Beasley after the two returned from short- and long-term injuries, respectively. Barbados slipped past Dominica by the previous round, and will arrive in Los Angeles with nine overseas players and most likely a packed defensive scheme. Richard Pacquette, the Havant and Waterlooville striker who scored the key away goal in Roseau, is not among those players, and that makes Barbados' task more difficult. Two consecutive losses to Bermuda don't inspire much confidence, either. For all of the difficulty that the USA has had in scoring goals, they shouldn't have a problem against an overmatched Bajan side. I expect the USA to advance with a strong possiblity of the series essentially being decided in the first leg.
Guatemala vs. St. Lucia
Saint Lucia appear to have reached the limit of their capabilities in the World Cup. And it seems that the federation knows this as well -- only 17 players made the trip to Guatemala City (most of them having little international experience) and no foreign-based players were called up. Even the preparations have been improvised; a chat about tactics, a hastily arranged practice at a backup stadium, and watch some match tapes of previous Guatemala friendlies. Guatemala do have one injury to worry about, a groin injury to Marvin Avila, but they shouldn't have to worry about much else. Carlos Ruíz should make an impact as Guatemala progresses comfortably.
Trinidad & Tobago vs. Bermuda
A matchup between two countries from different ends of the Caribbean (okay, Bermuda isn't quite in the Caribbean). Once again, Trinidad & Tobago have gone from one row to another. First, the dispute between the 2006 World Cup players and the T&TFF. And now, the national team is forced to play their home leg at the Havelange Centre of Excellence in Macoya because the federation refused to pay the elevated fees at Hasely Crawford Stadium. And to make matters worse, the stadium in Macoya is an artificial turf surface! Needless to say, the national team captain isn't very happy about it. Bermuda knows that this could be their moment. They arrive in Trinidad & Tobago with a full compliment of players, and they're motivated to make the push to the semifinal group stage. I was favoring T&T in this series, but off-the-field events and the fact that they're a team in transition is making me give an edge to Bermuda. If the first leg finishes in a draw, Bermuda have a real chance to advance. Would Dwight Yorke be called back in that situation?
Antigua and Barbuda vs. Cuba
A true Caribbean derby this time. Antigua progressed to the second round with a 4-0 aggregate victory over Aruba, but Cuba -- even with their recent wave of defections -- will be a much stronger test. Not only is this a match between Caribbean countries, this is also a match between countries made up almost entirely of domestic players (true in Cuba for obvious reasons, and there are four overseas-based players in the Antigua squad). Antigua come into the match very short-handed as three players were sent off in the return leg against Aruba. It was a reckless performance that will put them at big disadvantage against Cuba. As for the Cubans, Reyner Alcántara is the most prolific striking threat and defender Yenier Márquez the most experienced. Cuba has been improving in the most recent qualifying cycles, losing to Costa Rica only on away goals. I expect the Cubans to advance to the next round, but the first leg result will be crucial.
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