On the other side, Cuba is likely offering their share of prayers just to make it to the next round.
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As such, the first half was a closely-fought affair, each looking to score, but also keeping tight at the back so as not to concede.
The Cubans, outscored 8-0 in their first two Gold Cup matches this year, advanced after upsetting Guatemala 1-0 on Wednesday, despite missing some players who had defected earlier in the tournament.
Reyes crashed his way between two defenders to drive home a ideal cross from team-mate Alberto Gomez in the 73rd minute at Bank of America Stadium.
It was a stunning turn of events, the short-handed Cubans, who had lost three players and an assistant coach to defection, were set to meet the US, their old-ideological foes, in the quarterfinals should the result hold. Regardless, the light at the end of the tunnel for this squad is that they’re at full force facing Cuba, including Seattle Sounders midfielder Marco Pappa. The last meeting came in the 2013 edition of the tournament, the US collecting a 4-1 triumph on a brace from Chris Wondolowski and goals from Joe Corona and Landon Donovan.
It should come as no surprise that CONCACAF can be mad.
The evening’s second match, the final of the opening phase, was a spectacle to behold; CONCACAF saving the best for last, moving on to the knockout stage with some style.
On Sunday the attention switches to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford for two tasty clashes with Trinidad and Tobago taking on Panama and the game of the tournament so far, Costa Rica vs. Mexico.
Mexico, which has won six Gold Cup titles, took a 1-0 halftime lead on Paul Aguilar’s goal in the 32nd minute, and pulled ahead 2-0 on Carlos Vega’s shot off the left post in the 51st minute.
Mexico made it 3-3 on Andres Guardado’s 25-yarder in the 88th minute.
With less than a minute left in stoppage time, Marshall heads in a corner kick by Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoato to tie the match.
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The lively Martinez got free in the box but was unable to direct his header on target, before Motta had to parry a powerful shot from Andy Vaquero. Make sure to give him a follow on Twitter for all the latest updates and click the links below for live commentary on each game.
