Honduras, Mexico, United States, and Panama.  Four teams remain in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup.  The quarter-finals took place this last weekend, and many things happened that weren’t expected.  Two games went down to penalties, and the other two had many factors that couldn’t be predicted.  The United States had the most comfortable win, defeating a 10 man Jamaican team, 2-0.  Clint Dempsey scored the second goal for the United States which secured their victory and advancment to the semi-finals.  Mexico just did enough to defeat Guatemala, and both Honduras and Panama got by on penalties.  I have a feeling this is only the beginning of the excitement this tournament has to offer.

Saturday, 18 June, 2011 was the opening day of the quarter-finals.  Both games of the day were played in the same stadium, one immediately after the other.  It opened with Costa Rica and Honduras.  After the first half, no goals had been scored, but Costa Rica looked to have the upper hand.

Honduras struck first only four minutes after the half time break.  Not long after that, Costa Rica would tie it up.  After that goal, five yellow cards would be given out, four to Honduras.  This forced the team into a conservative style of play.  This gave Costa Rica even more room to work, even though Honduras seemed to be putting up more shots.  After both 90 minutes and extra-time, the scores were still level.  Costa Rica got off on the wrong foot in the penalties, missing two of their first three.  The final penalty was scored by Honduras’ earlier goalscorer, Jerry Bengston.  So even though Costa Rica had more possession, Honduras were able to keep the pressure on, and kept cool in the penalties to advance to the semi-finals.

Mexico, the tournament favorites, had a bit of a scare in their game against Guatemala.  After only five minutes, Guatemala took the lead thanks to captain Carlos Ruiz.  After the whole first half, Mexico could not find the equaliser.  The second half was a completely different story.  A half-time substitution saw Israel Castro come off and Aldo de Nigris come in.  Two minutes after his arrival, he scores to tie up the score.  Less than 20 minutes later, Javier Hernandez strikes again to give Mexico the lead, and bring his goal tally to six.  Hernandez scored a sly flick that gave the unsuspecting keeper no chance.  At the end of the game, Mexico’s dominance was seen due to their massive time of possesion, holding the ball for more than two thirds of the game.  Mexico still continue to be the team to beat in this tournament.

The next day, Fathers Day, started off with the United States and Jamaica.  United States went in struggling, and Jamaica went in strong.  Their roles seemed to flip-flop out on the pitch.  The first half had no real action, which seems to be common among these quarter-final games.  Early in the second half, Jermaine Jones scores for the United States from a deflection off of Jamaican defender, Jermaine Taylor.  20 minutes later, Jones is brought down by Taylor, who receives a red card.  With only ten men and down by one goal, it seems a long way back for Jamaica.  With only 10 minutes left in the game, Clint Dempsey, who seemed to not be playing to his potential for the United States, scores the goal that solidifies their victory.  The United States advanced to the semi-finals, where they eagerly awaited to see who their opponent would be.

The final game of the quarter-finals proved the most exciting.  However, once again, the first half seemed uneventful.  Not until the 78th minute, was the stalemate broken.  Rodolfo Zelaya of El Salvador slotted home a penalty after he was brought down in the box.  In the 89th minute, when the game seemed over, Luis Tejada gets a final touch on the ball which crosses the line to tie up the game.  After the final whistle is blown, Blas Perez of Panama and Luis Anaya of El Salvador get in an argument, and both are red carded.  No goals are scored in extra-time, and the game goes to penalties.  After El Salvador misses their first kick, Panama wasn’t going to let them catch back up.  Panama wins 5-3 on penalties, with the final penalty coming from their scoring hero, Tejada.

So after some great quarter-final football, the semi-finals are just around the corner.  On Wednesday, 22 June, 2011, the United States will play Panama.  After that, Mexico will take on Honduras.  The United States will want revenge on the team that defeated them, while Panama will hope their luck can continue.  Honduras look to rout the team to beat, while Mexico can’t wait to extend their good form.  Quality and exciting football are the only things for sure in these upcoming matches.