Soccer Tejas
The United States and Panama picked up 1-nil away wins in their first-leg bouts of the 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals.
El Salvador narrowly defeated Bonaire to keep a two-point gap over Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in Group A of League B, leaving the race for first place to be decided on the final matchday.
In the road to the Gold Cup Prelims, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Belize earned wins at home in the first leg of their respective Play-In series. Cuba and French Guiana each sealed an away goal into the second leg.
League A
Jamaica 0, USA 1
The United States picked up a 1-nil first-leg victory at Jamaica in the CNL quarterfinals at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica.
Ricardo Pepi scored in the 5th minute, connecting with an assist from Christian Pulisic.
Matt Turner saved a penalty kick attempt in the 14th after being called for the foul in the box two minutes earlier.
The result marks the first victory in an official competition under head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
On Monday, the U.S. will host Jamaica in the second leg at CITYPARK in St. Louis, Missouri. The winner, on aggregate, will advance to the 2025 Concacaf Nations League Finals and the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup.
Costa Rica 0, Panama 1
Panama won 1-nil at Costa Rica at Estadio Nacional in San Jose, Costa Rica. The win marks a third straight for Los Canaleros on Costa Rican soil.
José Fajardo converted from the penalty spot in the 66th minute. Adalberto Carrasquilla was taken down inside the penalty area to earn the attempt.
Panama has now won five consecutive matches against Costa Rica across all competitions. The return leg will take place on Monday in Panama City.
League B
Montserrat 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines won 2-1 against Montserrat at Estadio Cuscatlán in San Salvador, El Salvador. The encounter was the day’s first match, kicking off around 2 p.m. central time.
Steven Pierre opened the scoring in the 42nd minute. Cornelius Stewart converted a penalty in the 86th to extend the lead and score what would be the match-winning goal.
Donervorn Daniels pulled one back for the Emerald Boys in the 88th.
The win keeps the Vincy Heat in the hunt for first place heading into the final match of the group stage. The winner of the group will gain promotion to League A for the next edition and book its place in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup.
El Salvador 1, Bonaire 0
El Salvador took a narrow victory over Bonaire at Estadio Cuscatlán in San Salvador, El Salvador.
Styven Vásquez scored the lone goal in the 83rd minute. Two second-half substitutes combined for the winner, with Santos Ortíz delivering the assist, to send the home fans into a roar.
The victory keeps La Selecta in first place and maintains a two-point lead heading into its final match.
Play-In
Saint Kitts and Nevis 2, Cuba 1
Saint Kitts and Nevis won 2-1 against Cuba at the SKNFA Technical Center in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Romaine Sawyers scored in the 8th to place the hosts in the lead.
Luis Paradela equalized in the 40th minute with a powerful strike in the box.
Andre Burley regained the lead for The Sugar Boyz in the 48th with the match-winning goal.
The two will switch home-field as Cuba hosts the second leg on Monday at Estadio Antonio Maceo in Santiago de Cuba.
Belize 2, French Guiana 1
Belize won 2-1 against French Guiana at FFB Stadium in Belmopan, Belize.
Carlos Bernárdez broke through in the 67th with the first goal of the night. Eugene Martinez added a second for the hosts in the 75th.
The visitors secured an away goal three minutes into second-half stoppage time through a Thomas Torvic off a corner kick.
The second leg will be played Tuesday at the Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadion in Paramaribo, Suriname.
