MIAMI, Florida – The first matchday from the final window of the Third Round of Concacaf World Cup Qualifying for Qatar 2022 is done and dusted.
Here are the players who most stood out in Thursday night’s contests:
GK Guillermo Ochoa (MEX) – When his country needed him the most, the legendary Ochoa delivered a top performance for Mexico in their 0-0 draw with the United States. Ochoa made an incredible save from Christian Pulisic’s first half shot from point-blank range, on top of several other key blocks, giving him four saves on the night.
DF Eriq Zavaleta (SLV) – El Salvador’s World Cup dreams came to a close, but not without a fight from Zavaleta, who scored for his side in the 1-1 draw against Jamaica. Zavaleta also had a steal and completed 100 percent of his passes against the Reggae Boyz.
DF Cesar Montes (MEX) – Mexico were also boosted in defense by the strong presence of Montes, who completed 47 of his 52 passes and made two steals, in addition to countless clearances.
DF Kendall Waston (CRC) – The Ticos vaulted into the fourth-place spot thanks to their 1-0 win over previously unbeaten Canada, and it took another big effort from Waston on the Costa Rica back line, with two steals and a number of aerial duels won, to go along with completing 100 percent of his passes.
DF Francisco Calvo (CRC) – If it feels like Calvo has made the WCQ Best XI his permanent home, one would be right. The Costa Rican defender was once again a force for his side at both ends. He completed all 25 of his passes, took two shots and helped put the clamps down on Canada’s dangerous wingers.
MF Celso Borges (CRC) – Borges has been one of the rocks of the Costa Rican team and came through with aplomb against Canada. After nearly opening the scoring with a header, Borges struck right before halftime for the game’s lone goal.
MF Kevin Lopez (HON) – Honduras delivered one of their best performances in this WCQ cycle thanks in large part to Lopez. His goal earned the Catrachos a 1-1 draw at Panama, with the Comunicaciones man taking two total shots and completing 88 percent of his passes.
MF Bryan Acosta (HON) – To be competitive in Concacaf WCQ, a team has to have a ball-winner in midfield and Acosta filled that role to perfection in Panama City for Honduras. Acosta amassed a jaw-dropping 10 ball recoveries to go along with completing 58 of 64 passes.
MF Stephen Eustaquio (CAN) – Canada’s unbeaten run came to an end in San Jose on Thursday night, but just like he was in their 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinal, Eustaquio was a pest for the Ticos’ defense. Eustaquio had one of Canada’s best scoring chances and completed 98 percent of his passes.
FW Andre Gray (JAM) – Jamaica enjoyed a good performance in their 1-1 home draw against El Salvador and Gray was a big reason for that. After a couple near-misses earlier in the game, Gray connected with an excellent right-footed finish for the Reggae Boyz’s lone goal.
FW Rolando Blackburn (PAN) – Blackburn was seemingly in the middle of every single scoring chance for Panama in their 1-1 draw with Honduras. Blackburn gave his side a 1-0 lead in the first half and had a crack at goal on two other occasions.
