MIAMI – The Mexico men’s national team retained first place in the latest Concacaf Men's National Team Rankings with United States now in second place, reducing the points difference from 124 in October to 37 in November, following both teams qualification to the Concacaf Nations League Finals.
Among the headlines from the latest rankings are Panama’s successful defense of its rank as first in Central America and Jamaica remaining in the lead in the Caribbean.
The Concacaf Ranking Index grades all national teams across the confederation. Nations gain points for results in the on-going Nations League, the Concacaf Gold Cup, and other international matches.
Further details explaining the rankings and how nations earn points can be found here: CONCACAF Launches New Ranking Index.
Here are the top stories from the recent moves.
USA pass Canada and put pressure on Mexico after CNL Quarterfinals
Mexico (1,865) leads the overall rankings, with the USA (1,828) and Canada (1,823) following close behind.
The United States jumped over Canada to take second place after the results of the recent November matches. The U.S. defeated #6 Jamaica (1,574) 5-2 on aggregate in the quarterfinals of League A while Canada won 4-nil against Suriname (1,128), who dropped to 16th overall.
Panama stays in the top position of Central America after advancing to CNL Finals
Panama (1,756) retained its place as the highest-ranked nation from Central America, and fourth overall, after its 3-2 defeat on aggregate of fifth-ranked Costa Rica (1,658) in the League A quarterfinals.
Honduras (1,513) stayed in seventh overall. Guatemala (1,423) at ninth overall rounds out the Central American nations in the top ten. El Salvador (1,239) at twelfth, completes the regional top five.
Jamaica remains on top in the Caribbean, Guadeloupe and Curaçao move up
Jamaica (1,574) kept its place as the highest-ranked Caribbean nation at sixth overall. Haiti (1,477) stayed in eighth overall, and Trinidad and Tobago (1,313) at tenth, completing the top three in the Caribbean.
Martinique (1,296) stayed at 11th overall, while Guadeloupe (1,139) rose to 14th overall to complete the top five from the Caribbean region.
Curaçao (1,134) also had a noteworthy month, rising to 15th overall thanks to its first-place finish in Group B of League B to earn promotion. Suriname dropped two spots to 16th following its defeat to Canada in the League A quarterfinals.
Saint Martin and Sint Marteen had the biggest moves thanks to away victories
Sint Maarten (603) and Saint Martin (584), at 30th and 32nd overall, respectively, were the most improved nations from the November window. Both rose three spots from their previous ranking after winning away in their final match of the recently concluded League B campaign.
Saint Martin won 3-nil against Grenada to earn its second victory in Group B of League B. Sint Maarten earned a dramatic 1-nil triumph, thanks to a T-Shawn Illidge goal in the 90'+1 against Aruba.
Honduras victory over Mexico in CNL Quarterfinals was the biggest upset
The biggest upset of the month came as Honduras, 7th overall, won 2-nil against #1 Mexico in the first leg of their quarterfinal series in League A. Luis Palma delivered a brace to end the deadlock in the second half and lead Los Catrachos to victory in San Pedro Sula.
