MIAMI, Florida – The January window of Concacaf World Cup Qualifying matches for Qatar 2022 continued with another round of excellent performances on Matchday 10.
Here is the Best XI from Sunday’s matches.
GK Mario Gonzalez (SLV) – El Salvador earned their first ever Concacaf WCQ victory on Honduran soil, 2-0, thanks in large part to their shot-stopper. Gonzalez was tops among all GKs on Sunday in making five saves and more importantly, kept a clean sheet for his side away from home.
DF Kamal Miller (CAN) – The United Stated attack could not get anything going and much of that was due to the strong play of Miller. Whether it was intercepting passes (3 steals), winning a 50-50 challenge or providing a physical presence, Miller was the man. He also sparked the first Canada goal by winning a header at midfield.
DF Azmahar Ariano Navarro (PAN) – Panama Head Coach Thomas Christiansen’s decision to bring Ariano Navarro off the bench in the 56th minute was an inspired one. Not only did he tally the game-winning goal for the Canaleros in the 3-2 win over Jamaica, but he also completed 92 percent of his passes.
DF Eriq Zavaleta (SLV) – An injury prevented Zavaleta from playing against the U.S. last Thursday, but he came back stronger than ever for El Salvador in the 2-0 win at Honduras. Zavaleta had two steals and completed 27 of 31 passes, while forming part of a defense that kept a clean sheet.
DF Francisco Calvo (CRC) – For the second game in a row Calvo makes it onto the Best XI. The Costa Rican defender was once again top notch in the Ticos’ 0-0 draw at Mexico. Calvo had a ball recovery and completed 91 percent of his passes.
MF Samuel Adekugbe (CAN) – Adekugbe was nothing but superb while manning the left flank for Canada in the 2-0 win against the U.S. Adekugbe had three steals, completed 26 of 29 passes and registered three shots, one of which found the back of the net in the waning seconds.
MF Darwin Ceren (SLV) – While Ceren didn’t start in the 2-0 win at Honduras, he certainly made an impact in his 24 minutes on the field, nailing down the Cuscatlecos’ historic victory with a goal in second half stoppage time.
MF Alberto Quintero (PAN) – Panama rallied from an early deficit against the Reggae Boyz thanks to the tenacity of Quintero in the middle of the park. Quintero completed 43 passes, while also taking two shots on goal.
FW Cyle Larin (CAN) – Canada enjoyed a dream start against the U.S. thanks to the composed finish of Larin, who played a slick one-two combination with Jonathan David before polishing off the play with the goal in the seventh minute. Larin also completed 83 percent of his passes in his 75 minutes on the field.
FW Nelson Bonilla (SLV) – Bonilla’s name will go down in history as the first Salvadoran player to score a WCQ goal on Honduran soil. The moment came in the 35th minute, but there was more from Bonilla, who also completed 90 percent of his passes.
FW Rolando Blackburn (PAN) – Blackburn was a headache for the Jamaican defense throughout the 3-2 Panama victory, including an assist and an 87 percent completion rate.
