The hex review

Well the 2010 CONCACAF HEX is in the books. The usual suspects in the Yanks and Mexico again qualified. That makes 6 in a row for the Yanks. Now if Mexico did not cheat that would be 7 World Cups in a row for the mighty Tri Color.(Mexico was disqualified from the 1990 World Cup because it had fielded ineligible, overage players in the 1988 Olympic qualifying tournament.)
Honduras has to be the biggest surprise in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying. The received the automatic berth by gaining 16 points thus tying Costa Rica but beating them on goal differential. This will be the first World Cup for Los Catrachos since the 1982 World Cup in Spain. Hondurans need something to cheer about since their country is in disarray right now. There was a military-backed coup June 28 led by Roberto Micheletti, the former Congress speaker. Zelaya, the ousted President is believed to be in the Brazilian embassy and all surrounding countries are working for a peaceful solution. I, myself am ecstatic that another CONCACAF team besides the big 3 has made it to the big dance. This is Honduras best national team ever with the likes of MF captain Amado Guevara(Toronto FC) and Wilson Palacios(Totterham Hotspur) feeding the lightning quick Davis Suazo (Internazionale) and the giant Carlos Pavon up front. Hopefully they represent CONCACAF and more importantly Honduras well in South Africa.
Costa Rica is one of the 3 giants in CONCACAF. They have made the HEX in the last 4 cycles. Even more impressive is that they have made the World Cup the last 2 times and now find themselves is a playoff against a South American power Uruguay. Costa Rica has a huge challenge but Saprissa stadium will be an advantage and the pressure will mount on Uruguay. This will be a great 2 games.

Looking at the last 4 Hex’s it is hard to prove statistically that CONCACAF has improved. The US and Mexico have been 1-2 or 2-1. 3 of the 4 cycles. Costa Rica came up with a great performance in the 2002 cycle coming in first place with 23 points clearly beating the yanks and Mexico who ties with 17 points.