The dust has settled on Sunday’s exciting 1-1 draw between the U.S. Men’s National Team and Mexico, but two other matches will be played tonight to round out Matchday 6 in CONCACAF’s Hexagonal.
After the double round-robin is complete, the top three finishers in the Hex will advance automatically to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The fourth-place finisher will face an Asian nation in a two-legged playoff in November with a World Cup berth on the line.
Bidding for an eighth straight World Cup appearance, the U.S. MNT is currently third in the table but could fall to fourth if Panama takes all three points tonight against a longtime rival.
Panama vs. Honduras
2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying - CONCACAF Hexagonal
Tuesday, June 13 | 8:30 p.m. CT | beIN SPORTS
Estadio Rommel Fernandez | Panama City, Panama
The home team Panama has played three of its five qualifiers away, but Los Canaleros could potentially climb back into the qualifying spots with a victory. A gap of only two points separates them from second place.
Panama will use their 1-0 victory against Honduras back in November to motivate the team and create a winning dynamic. Veteran captain Felipe Baloy will seek to lead his teammates to a positive result at home, where upwards of 26,500 fans will be cheering for his team at Estadio Rommel Fernández in Panama City. For Los Canaleros, a win is imperative to meet their ambition of qualification.
Honduras has had a different schedule from their opponent, having already played three games at home and two games away. La Bicolor is ranked fifth in the Hex with just four points, and a win would be crucial for them to stay alive and preserve their hopes of qualifying for a third straight World Cup.
Costa Rica vs. Trinidad and Tobago
2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying - CONCACAF Hexagonal
Tuesday, June 13 | 9 p.m. CT | beIN SPORTS Connect
Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica | San Jose, Costa Rica
Hexagonal dates in November were positive for Costa Rica. Since then, they have earned just two points from three qualifying matches. La Sele will look to succeed again tonight at 9 p.m. CT in Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica in San Jose, Costa Rica. The match will be televised on beIN SPORTS.
Costa Rica will approach the game with confidence thanks to their last win against Trinidad and Tobago, a 2-0 victory in the opponent’s stadium on Nov. 11, 2016. The home team has played three of their four qualifiers away. La Sele could create space between themselves and teams below them if they acquire the win.
Trinidad and Tobago will intend to bounce back from their 2-0 loss against the United States last Thursday. The Soca Warriors will try to break the negative trend they have experienced over the last three games, with one draw at home and two losses away. Head coach Dennis Lawrence will seek to lead his team to a positive result on the road, but captain Carlos Edwards and his men have never won a World Cup qualifier away. A draw would be considered an accomplishment for the Soca Warriors ahead of a Matchday 7 home date with Honduras in September.
