MIAMI, Florida – Big moves were made by teams on Matchday 13 of the Third Round of Concacaf World Cup Qualifying for Qatar 2022, and it would not have happened without the efforts of these 11 players who ranked as Sunday’s top performers.
GK Keylor Navas (CRC) – Costa Rica’s legendary shot-stopper played a vital role in his nation’s 2-1 win over El Salvador with a pair of saves and keeping cool under pressure in the final 15 minutes when El Salvador were at their most threatening.
DF Antonee Robinson (USA) – The United States left back delivered another top performance for his country, this time in the 5-1 victory against Panama. Robinson had two assists and two ball recoveries in what was a crucial win for his side.
DF Keysher Fuller (CRC) – Locked in a 1-1 draw with El Salvador in the waning minutes of the first half, Costa Rica needed someone to come up with a big play and Fuller answered the call. His timely cross for Joel Campbell’s goal proved decisive, and he contributed on the defensive end as well with two steals.
DF Johan Vasquez (MEX) – Mexico have now gone four games without conceding a goal, including Sunday’s 1-0 win at Honduras, and Vasquez has played a big part in that. The Genoa man was active on both ends against the Catrachos with a shot and a steal, while also completing 93 percent of his passes.
MF Edson Alvarez (MEX) – It was Alvarez’s strong move toward goal that resulted in the Honduran own goal, giving Mexico the crucial 1-0 win in San Pedro Sula. Alvarez was a workhorse throughout, making a ball recovery and completing 31 of 39 passes.
MF Tajon Buchanan (USA) – The 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup Best Young Player Award winner continued his excellent form in WCQ with a goal and an assist to help Canada claim a 4-0 win over Jamaica and earn the country their first World Cup berth since 1986.
MF Joel Campbell (CRC) – Campbell was at the right place at the right time to turn in the cross from Keysher Fuller that gave Costa Rica a 2-1 triumph in San Salvador. The Ticos’ dangerman also registered three shots and had two steals.
MF Christian Pulisic (USA) – The U.S. needed a big-time performance from its star player and it got one, as Pulisic notched a hat trick in the commanding 5-1 win versus Panama. Pulisic also had a ball recovery and completed 100 percent of his passes.
FW Paul Arriola (USA) – Arriola provided a big spark in attack for the U.S., with a perfectly-placed header for a goal, followed by an assist on Jesus Ferreira’s score in the 5-1 win versus Panama. Arriola also completed all 12 of his passes.
FW Cyle Larin (CAN) – It was fitting that Larin found the scoresheet in the victory that sent Canada to their first World Cup in 36 years. Larin scored his sixth goal of the Final Round of WCQ and his 13th in this cycle, tops among all players. Overall, he kept the Jamaican defense on their heels by taking five shots and completing 64 percent of his passes.
FW Anthony Contreras (CRC) – Contreras scored the goal of the matchday with his overhead kick for Costa Rica’s opener in the 2-1 win at El Salvador. Contreras also played a big role on the defensive end as well, with three steals.
