TQL Stadium will play host to half of the quarterfinal matches in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup on Sunday.
Guatemala vs Jamaica (5:00 pm ET)
Guatemala
Guatemala finished on top of Group D, ahead of Cuba, Guadeloupe, and Canada. Guatemala had a historically good stretch in the Gold Cup in the late 60s, where they were the runner-up twice (1965, 1969) and won the tournament in 1967 – the same year they went on to win the CONCACAF Nations League. With the match being in Cincinnati, it seems important to note the absence of Arquimides Ordóñez from the roster. Ordóñez declined his call-up, hoping to see an important role with MLS side FC Cincinnati. Cincinnati were without Brandon Vazquez (USMNT), Brenner (transfer), and Sergio Santos (injury) for the start of this international window, which led to Ordóñez starting in D.C. for the Orange and Blue. Ordóñez also played in the U20 World Cup this past May, where Guatemala failed to make it out of the group stages.
Jamaica
Jamaica finished second in Group A behind the USA, but only on goal differential. This Jamaican side is full of European talent in the attack, with the likes of Demarai Gray (Everton), Michail Antonio (West Ham), Kaheem Harris (Dynamo Kyiv), and, of course, Leon Bailey (Aston Villa). The Jamaicans cruised past Trinidad and Tobago (4-1) and St. Kitts and Nevis (5-0) in the groups after drawing 1-1 to heavy favorites USA.
USA vs Canada (7:30 pm ET)
USMNT
Matt Miazga and Brandon Vazquez are back in Cincinnati! Well, for the USMNT. The USMNT plays at TQL Stadium for the third time and has won both previous matches (2-0 W vs Mexico, 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualification CONCACAF Third Round; 3-0 W vs Morocco, Friendly). Add on top of that, FC Cincinnati has not lost a single match across all their competitions this season at TQL Stadium… and both Brandon Vazquez and Matt Miazga remain perfect at TQL Stadium in 2023.
Brandon Vazquez, when asked about playing in Cincinnati:
“It’s gonna be an incredible experience. Fans at FCC and Cincinnati at TQL Stadium are second to none, so I’m super excited to be able to represent the United States at TQL Stadium, in my home… So, it’s a super exciting moment. Obviously, I’ve wanted to represent this country for my whole career, so to be able to do it at home, it takes emotions to the next level.”
Matt Miazga, when asked about playing in Cincinnati:
“It’s awesome to go back to Cincinnati wearing the US crest… we all know the atmosphere and the support that Cincinnati brings for soccer, so it’s exciting to be there with the US at a high level… so it’s gonna be a good moment for me and I’m sure Brandon (Vazquez)… I’ve been getting a lot of support already from a lot of teammates and coaching staff. A lot of our (FC Cincinnati) coaches have already represented the US in some capacity, even coached at that level. I won the 2017 Gold Cup with Kenny Arena as an assistant and Pat Noonan as an assistant, so there’s a little bit of history there. Obviously, Dom Kinnear has played for the US in the past, so there are a lot of connections in that aspect… so it’s gonna be nice. I think it’s gonna be a nice moment.”
“Every time the US has come to Cincinnati, it’s always been a good atmosphere and a good crowd… as we all know, we always do that so, yeah – it’ll be exciting.”
Canada
Canada will face off against the USA for the second time in a month, as the two sides faced off in the CONCACAF Nations League Final in June. The USMNT won that match 2-0, and Canada have been nothing but convincing since. Canada drew their first two matches to Guadeloupe and Guatemala, and their win over Cuba secured them a second-place finish in Group D.
Tickets can be purchased using the link below. One ticket grants access to both matches, but there is no re-entry allowed.
Featured Photo Credits: CONCACAF.com
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