After a strangely long break in the action (the United States has a whole week to figure out how to win 6-0 again), the Concacaf Gold Cup returns this weekend with the quarterfinals.
It's no surprise to see the USMNT and Mexico at the business stage of the tournament, but Jamaica, Panama, Guatemala and Canada all navigated the group phase without tasting defeat.
Will we see any surprises in the last eight?
2023 Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinal predictions
Panama vs. Qatar
Date: Saturday, July 8 | Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington | TV: FS1
Luis Vidal: Panama 2 - 1 Qatar
Panama don’t play champagne fútbol but they have been pretty solid under Thomas Christiansen. Despite some injuries, I see them in the semifinals.
Connor Fleming: Panama 1 - 0 Qatar
Two strong defenses in a cagey quarterfinal that'll probably be decided off a set piece. I give Los Canaleros a slight advantage in these conditions.
Mexico vs. Costa Rica
Date: Saturday, July 8 | Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington | TV: FS1
Luis Vidal: Mexico 2 - 0 Costa Rica
Despite their shocking defeat against Qatar, Mexico shouldn’t have issues vs. Costa Rica. Sure, it will be rough, but El Tri will find their way through.
Connor Fleming: Mexico 3 - 1 Costa Rica
If you think Mexico's experienced a sharp fall from grace, then just wait until you see Costa Rica. The 2022 World Cup was clearly the end of a famous generation for Los Ticos, and although Celso Borges and Kendall Waston are still running around out there, they probably shouldn't be.
Guatemala vs. Jamaica
Date: Sunday, July 9 | Time: 5 p.m. ET
Location: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati | TV: FS1
Luis Vidal: Guatemala 1 - 0 Jamaica
Guatemalan fans are having the time of their lives. Have you seen the stadiums? I hope the happiness doesn't stop here and I expect Guatemala to advance to semifinals by a fine margin, pushed by the support from the stands.
Connor Fleming: Guatemala 1 - 2 Jamaica
I was really impressed by Jamaica against the U.S., and the Reggae Boyz kept their foot on the pedal when putting four past T&T and five past Saint Kitts and Nevis. They've got a talented squad that's clearly growing together heading into the knockout rounds.
United States vs. Canada
Date: Sunday, July 9 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati | TV: FS1
Luis Vidal: USA 2 - 0 Canada
Jesús Ferreira will keep terrorizing opponents. Besides, Canada players are not clicking like in the past World Cup qualifiers. Are the financial issues tormenting their program affecting the performance? Maybe.
Connor Fleming: USA 3 - 0 Canada
Canada's a shadow of the team that reached the Nations League final and clearly struggling to find balance after conceding two to both Guadeloupe and Cuba. Jesús Ferreira gets another goal and B.J. Callaghan's boys roll into the semis.
