Role reversal in Concacaf: Canada and Panama in the quarterfinals, Mexico and the United States home

The group stage of the Copa America ended with a decision that few in Concacaf could have imagined: Panama and Canada, who began their groups far from being favorites to advance, are in the quarterfinals, while the two “big teams” of North America, Mexico and the United States, have already said goodbye.

Canada pulled off a surprise on Saturday by qualifying second in Group A, behind Argentina, but ahead of seemingly more competitive teams such as Chile and Peru; Panama beat host United States and sealed a brilliant qualification against Bolivia as second in Group C, behind Uruguay.

The United States had a very gloomy farewell to its Copa America, after earning just three points (against Bolivia) in three games; Mexico died on the shore in a very demanding group with Venezuela, Ecuador and Jamaica.

With two years to go until the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Concacaf is experiencing a moment of revolution in its balance.

Palpable progress

“I think that both teams have made a lot of progress. In previous years we have been doing things well, both us and them, and I think that is reflected today,” said Panamanian Eduardo Guerrero in the mixed zone after Panama’s victory over Bolivia, referring to his team and that of Canada.

An opinion shared by his teammate César Yanis after Panama’s great achievement.

“I’m happy, I’m glad (that we qualified) because this is for everyone. I’m happy for the group, we’ve achieved something historic and now it’s time to rest and think about what’s coming next,” he said.

“(Canada and Panama’s qualification) speaks very well of us, of the work we’ve been doing. We came to this tournament to compete, we said so at the beginning, and it’s showing,” he added.

Meanwhile, in the United States, criticism is mounting against Gregg Berhalter’s team, which said goodbye to its Copa América through the back door.

Berhalter, despite acknowledging that the result was negative, said that, in his opinion, his management has significantly increased the national team’s football movement.

Technician focused on improving

Asked if he still believes he is the most suitable person to lead the project, Berhalter replied with a resounding “yes.”

The United States’ play and the character shown in this Copa America in an accessible group with Bolivia and Panama, as well as Uruguay, did not convince the American environment.

The verdict was much more bitter for Mexico, who said goodbye after a 0-0 draw against Ecuador in a highly intense match in which they were awarded, and subsequently denied after a VAR (video refereeing) review, the penalty that could have given them a ticket to the next round.

But beyond the controversial finals, Mexico is at the beginning of a generational change that requires time to compete again at the highest level.

Two key years are coming for Mexico and the United States to relaunch their sports projects in view of ‘their’ World Cup, in a North America where they are beginning to be joined by more and more rivals with hunger and competitive power.

New York / EFE