CONCACAF Final Round
Preview
5 teams entered the Final round of the CONCACAF qualifiers for the 1990 World Cup: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States.
All 5 teams had been through a preliminary qualification of two rounds of two-legged knock-out matches. Costa Rica, Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago had fought their way from the First round, while El Salvador and the United States, as seeded teams, only had entered the qualification in the Second round.
Uniquely among the different regions’ qualification formats for Italia’90, the CONCACAF Final round was also the 1989 edition of the CONCACAF Championship – a dual format which had been kept since 1973. Thus, two teams would qualify for the World Cup, but the winner were also to be crowned as regional champions.
Results
Match 1
19 March 1989
Estadio Mateo Flores, Guatemala City
Guatemala
Chacón (39′, pen.)
1–0
Report
Costa Rica
Guatemala got their campaign under way through this fine home win against Costa Rica, although they were probably a tad fortunate not to concede after the visitors had upped the ante somewhat after the break. The decider came a few minutes from half-time, as visiting centre-back Montero had unnecessarily clattered into Westphal to concede the penalty from which Chacón notched the solitary goal of the game.
Guatemala (4-4-2): Jérez – Dávila, Wellman, Monzón (c), Ortíz (Rivera 69) – Funes, Ceballos (McDonald 61), Castañeda, Rodas – Chacón, Westphal
Costa Rica (4-4-2): Conejo – Quesada, Montero, Flores (c), Díaz – Jara, Guimarães (Cayasso h-t), Chavarría, Medford – Solano (J Wanchope 72), Coronado
Match 2
2 April 1989
Estadio Nacional,
San José
Costa Rica
Flores (43′)
Coronado (78′)
2–1
Report
Guatemala
Rodas (51′)
Costa Rica avenged the away loss in Guatemala as they twice took the lead in this home fixture. They had a new management team with Moyano and Rodríguez having taken over as joint chiefs, and they’d made four changes to the team which got beat a fortnight earlier. Captain Flores led the way with a strong, headed goal, but Rodas’ first time finish early in the second half ensured the hosts had to go in search of a winner. Coronado headed home late from substitute Rhoden’s deflected cross to earn them their first win of the group stage.
Costa Rica (4-3-3): Conejo – Quesada (Rhoden 73), Montero, Flores (c), Díaz – C Hidalgo (Rivers 55-60), Chavarría, Ramírez – Cayasso, Coronado, Obando
Guatemala (4-4-2): Jérez – Dávila, Wellman, Monzón (c), Ortíz – McDonald (Rivera 62), Castañeda, Ceballos, Rodas – Paniagua, Chacón
A defensively bolstered Costa Rica through the addition of warrior Marchena in the defensive midfield role hardly conceded a goalscoring opportunity, and so forward Rhoden’s early goal proved decisive. These were two massive points on board for a Costarican side which won at home for the second time in two weeks, while the US team lost their opening qualification group stage fixture.
Costa Rica (4-5-1): Conejo – Quesada, Montero, Flores (c), Díaz – Cayasso (Rivers 61), Chavarría, Marchena, C Hidalgo, Rhoden (Obando 87) – Coronado
USA (4-4-2): Duback – Balboa, Windischmann (c), Trittschuh, Bliss – Harkes, Ramos (Klopas 75), Stollmeyer, Murray – Goulet (Gabarra 80), Vermes
Match 4
30 April 1989
Saint Louis Soccer Park, Fenton,
Missouri
United States
Ramos (72′)
1–0
Costa Rica
There was plenty of action as the US claimed both points against a strong Costa Rica outfit, though they were a tad fortunate as the visitors had two goals chalked off in marginal decisions, for offside and an alledged handball respectively. Ramos’ goal came courtesy of a big deflection off skipper Flores, and then Montero saw a penalty saved by Vanole after handball on the line by Trittschuh, who was fortunate to stay on the pitch.
USA: Vanole – Balboa, Windischmann, Trittschuh, Bliss (Gabarra 81) – Harkes, Stollmeyer, Ramos, Klopas (Vermes 42) – Goulet, Murray
Costa Rica: Conejo – Quesada, Montero, Flores (c), Díaz – Cayasso, Chavarría (Salazar 44), Marchena, C Hidalgo, Rhoden (Obando 66) – Solano
Match 5
13 May 1989
Murdock Stadium, Torrance,
California
United States
Trittschuh (48′)
1–1
Report
Trinidad and Tobago
Charles (88′)
The US side were hoping to emulate the win against Costa Rica, but a late sucker punch saw Trinidad&Tobago return home with a point. The hosts had dominated most of the first half, and a dreadful Murray miss in front of an open goal meant the teams went in goalless at the break. A terrific early second half goal by centre-back Trittschuh gave USA the edge, but they failed to capitalize, and substitute Morris headed Charles through to finish one on one with Vanole for a share of the spoils.
USA (3-5-2): Vanole – Balboa, Windischmann (c), Trittschuh – Klopas, Ramos (Gabarra 62), Stollmeyer, Harkes, Pastor (Vermes h-t) – Goulet, Murray
Trinidad&Tobago (4-5-1): Carter – Williams, C Morris (c), Francis, Faustin – Charles, Elliott-Allen (Jamerson 62), Lawrence, Latapy, Lewis – Alibey (M Morris 69)
Match 6
28 May 1989
National Stadium, Port of Spain
Trinidad and Tobago
Jones (68′)
1–1
Costa Rica
Coronado (46′)
Already featuring for a fifth time in this group stage, Costa Rica went ahead just after the break when Hidalgo crossed for Coronado, whose guided header went in at the back stick. The leveller came midway through the final period when substitute Jones stabbed home from close range after Conejo had saved his original attempt. Successive 1-1 draws against arguably their two strongest rivals for the Trinis, while Costa Rica could well be satisfied with a point from a tricky away fixture.
Trinidad&Tobago: Carter – Williams, C Morris, Francis, Faustin – M Morris (Nelson 55), Charles, Lawrence, Latapy (Jones h-t), Lewis – Alibey
Costa Rica: Conejo (J Hidalgo 43) – Quesada, Montero, Flores (c), Díaz – Medford (Marín 83), Rivers, Marchena, C Hidalgo, Obando – Coronado
Match 7
11 June 1989
Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José
Costa Rica
Cayasso (3′)
1–0
Report
Trinidad and Tobago
Both teams had made four changes from their previous clash, and in a sometimes uneven first half as far as quality of play is concerned, Costa Rica were undeniably the better side. They got an early goal through fine midfielder Cayasso, and could have added to it later in the half. The Trinis struggled to keep possession, and were unable to threaten Conejo. It is a different matter after the break, with 17 year old Yorke proving to be a menace from his attacking midfield position, twice hitting the post. Costa Rica regain their composure the longer the half evolves, and ultimately they’re closest to adding to the scoreline from a Marchena effort. They secure two vital points against one of their rivals, and confirm their position atop the group stage table.
Costa Rica (4-3-3): Conejo – Quesada, Montero, R Flores (c), Díaz – Cayasso, Marchena, Ramírez (C Hidalgo 59) – Jara, Coronado (Marín 86), L Flores
Trinidad&Tobago (4-5-1): Carter – Williams, C Morris (c), Francis, Faustin – Skeene (Lewis 59), Yorke, Jamerson, Chinapoo (Latapy 71), Charles – Alibey
Match 8
17 June 1989
Veterans Stadium, New Britain,
Connecticut
United States
Murray (3′)
Eichmann (68′)
2–1
Report
Guatemala
Chacón (22′)
USA wish to keep up with Costa Rica, and so two points at home to Guatemala is expected. They start well and move into an early lead with a stunning Murray volley, but the visitors come more into the game and draw level with a fine Chacón goal midway through the half. In a game of relatively few opportunities, the hosts secure both points thanks to Eichmann’s poked goal from close range halfway through the final 45. All in all, USA did just about enough to warrant their win, although they made hard work of it. Guatemala had Funes sent off for throwing a punch at Harkes on 86 minutes. This was the first match back in charge for returning manager Rubén Amorín.
USA (3-5-2): Vanole – Banks, Windischmann (c), Trittschuh – Bliss (Doyle 85), Ramos, Stollmeyer, Harkes, Gyau (Caligiuri h-t) – Murray, Eichmann
Guatemala (4-4-2): Jérez – Dávila, Mazariegos, Monzón (c), Ortíz – Funes, McDonald (Paniagua 78), Ceballos, Rodas (Westphal 78) – Chacón, Pérez
Match 9
25 June 1989
Estadio Cuscatlán, San Salvador
El Salvador
Rodríguez (24′)
Rivas (65′)
2–4
Report
Costa Rica
Cayasso (15′)
Hidalgo (47′)
L Flores (52′, 78′)
El Salvador’s first appearance in the qualification group stage ended in crowd trouble, which was triggered by a disallowed goal that would have meant 3-3, and in the aftermath El Salvador were told that they would need to play their remaining three home qualifiers on foreign soil. Costa Rica’s first away win in this group stage, and a hugely vital one at that in a highly entertaining spectacle.
El Salvador (4-3-1-2): Mora – Ábrego, Rodríguez, Trigueros (Cárcamo 53), Rivera – Cienfuegos, Vásquez Flores (Lazo around 35), García – Coreas (c) – Rivas, Ramírez Zapata
Costa Rica (4-3-3): Conejo – Quesada, Montero, R Flores (c), Díaz – Cayasso, Marchena, Chavarría – Jara (C Hidalgo h-t), Coronado (Solano 70), L Flores
Match 10
16 July 1989
Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José
Costa Rica
Fernández (56′)
1–0
Report
El Salvador
The game is settled on 56 minutes through debutant striker Pastor Fernández’ headed goal, and Costa Rica all but secure their passage through to a World Cup for the very first time in their history. The carnival like atmosphere inside the stadium erupts when the referee blows the whistle for full time. It had been competitive for the majority of the first half, although El Salvador had offered little going forward. Once Fernández’ goal went in, Costa Rica were in reality never threatened. The visitors finished with ten men after left-back Nelson Rivera was sent off.
Costa Rica (4-3-3): Conejo – Quesada, R Flores (c), Montero, Díaz – Cayasso, Marchena, Chavarría – Jara (C Hidalgo 62), Fernández, L Flores
El Salvador (4-1-3-2): C Rivera – Ábrego (Murillo h-t), Rodríguez, Cárcamo, N Rivera – Huezo – Cienfuegos, Gonzáles, G Rivera (García 82) – Coreas (c), Ulloa
Match 11
30 Jul 1989
National Stadium,
Port of Spain,
Trinidad&Tobago
Trinidad&Tobago 2 – 0 El Salvador
Lewis (50′, 61′)
With two points from their opening three qualifiers, the Trinis were in search of their first win of the campaign, which would propel them right into contention for a spot at Italia ’90. It was also last chance saloon for the El Salvadorians after their two losses against the Ticos. The game was settled with two second half goals from Leonson Lewis, both following Hutson Charles corner kicks.
Trinidad&Tobago were with a familiar line-up, although they had replaced goalkeeper Earl Carter with Michael Maurice. El Salvador had made a further five changes from the 1-0 loss in Costa Rica, with three players in Ragazzone, Rugamas and Canales making their first appearances of the qualification. With three defeats in three, their campaign is as good as over.
Trinidad&Tobago: Maurice – Williams, C Morris, Francis, Faustin – Yorke (Lee 84), Jamerson, Latapy – Charles, Jones, Lewis
El Salvador: Rivera – Ragazzone, Rodríguez, Cárcamo, García, Coreas, Rugamas, Cienfuegos (Palacios Lozano 63), Canales (Ulloa h-t), Rivas, Ramírez Zapata
Match 12
13 Aug 1989
Estadio Nacional,
Tegucigalpa,
Honduras
El Salvador 0 – 0 Trinidad&Tobago
The return fixture between these two ended in a stalemate, El Salvador’s first point, but it was of little use to them. For the Trinis, a point away from home, although the game was played on neutral soil in Honduras, would have been welcome. They lined up exactly like they had done in the home leg, while there were a further four changes for the El Salvador team, for whom Palacios Lozano and his eventual replacement Vásquez Flores both made their first appearances of the ongoing qualification/CONCACAF championship.
In the group standings, Trinidad&Tobago were now level with USA in second place, both boasting a goal difference of 4-3 and a points tally of five. The Americans had a game in hand, though, but still had to visit Port of Spain.
El Salvador: C Rivera – Ábrego, Rodríguez, Cárcamo, N Rivera, Coreas (Canales 20), Rugamas, Ramírez Zapata, Palacios Lozano (Vásquez Flores 86), Rivas, Ulloa
Trinidad&Tobago: Maurice – Williams, C Morris, Francis, Faustin – Charles, Yorke (M Morris 69), Jamerson (Elliott-Allen 70), Latapy, Lewis – Jones
Match 13
20 Aug 1989
Estadio Mateo Flores,
Guatemala City,
Guatemala
Guatemala 0 – 1 Trinidad&Tobago
Jamerson (57′)
Guatemala had the chance to stake their claim for a place at Italia ’90, but would need to win here. They started well, and through their initiative in the opening half an hour they created opportunities which could’ve seen them move in front. However, the away side stood firm, and gradually began to impose themselves. They scored the only goal of the contest 12 minutes into the second half, and could have added to the scoreline as they were dangerous on the counter towards the end.
A massively important win for the Trinis, who move two points clear of USA in second spot, and it is now a two horse race for that second spot, with the Americans having played two matches less. Three of their final four fixtures are away from home, though, with that key clash in Trinidad&Tobago still to come.
Guatemala (4-3-3): Jérez – Dávila, Wellman, Monzón (c), Rivera – Sánchez, Ortega, Ceballos – Castañeda, Chacón, Pérez (Sims ca 75)
Trinidad&Tobago (4-5-1): Maurice – Williams, C Morris (c), Francis, Faustin – Alibey (M Morris 80), Charles (Yorke h-t), Jamerson, Latapy, Lewis – Jones
Match 14
3 Sep 1989
National Stadium,
Port of Spain,
Trinidad&Tobago
Trinidad&Tobago 2 – 1 Guatemala
Jones (10′) Rodas (6′)
Jamerson (88′)
The home side, searching for a precious win to build a four points cushion on USA, have plenty of early possession, but concede when Guatemala break for the first time. The Trinis quickly find an equalizer, but the visitors look the more dangerous before the break, and have opportunities through Sánchez and Paniagua to move in front again. In the second half, the hosts knock on the door and create a number of big chances, but leave it until two mins from time to strike the massively important winning goal. Elation all around as Trinidad&Tobago now look a decent bet for a place at Italia ’90.
Trinidad&Tobago (4-3-3): Maurice – Lee, C Morris (c), Francis, Faustin – Charles, Jamerson, Latapy – Yorke (M Morris 67), Jones (Alibey 75), Lewis
Guatemala (4-5-1): Jérez – Dávila, Wellman, Monzón (c), Rivera – Sims, Sánchez, Ortega, Castañeda, Rodas (Chacón 80) – Paniagua
Match 15
17 Sep 1989
Estadio Nacional,
Tegucigalpa,
Honduras
El Salvador 0 – 1 USA
Pérez (61′)
The visitors look powerful and pin the hosts on the backfoot, but can’t find any first half openings, with Carlos Rivera again displaying his strength on the line. Young Meola is drawn into a fine stop from Rugamas’ long range piledriver, while a strong Palacios Lozano shot kisses the outside of the post. The only goal of the contest comes courtesy of El Salvador born Pérez, who heads in at the third attempt with Rivera finally beaten, while several excellent Rivera stops keep the score at nil-one. It is a massively important win for the US team in their quest for a spot at Italia ’90.
El Salvador: C Rivera – Girón, Orellana, Ragazzone, N Rivera – Palacios Lozano, Rugamas (c), M Alfaro, Canales (R Álfaro 62) – Ventura, Rivas
USA: Meola – Banks, Windischmann (c), Trittschuh – Ramos, Pérez, Stollmeyer, Harkes, Bliss – Vermes (Eichmann 80), Murray
Match 16
8 Oct 1989
Estadio Mateo Flores,
Guatemala City,
Guatemala
Guatemala 0 – 0 USA
After their successive losses in the double header with Trinidad&Tobago, Guatemala were out of contention for a place in next year’s World Cup. USA, buoyed by their win against El Salvador in Honduras, were looking to get on equal points with the Trinis. We’ve no video evidence from this match, and so know little about how the game unfolded. The hosts obtained their only third point of a disappointing campaign, while it is likely that the American visitors were somewhat unsatisfied with a draw. They do have a game in hand on the South Caribbeans, though, and a win at home to El Salvador will see USA travel to Trinidad&Tobago needing only a point to secure a place at Italia ’90.
Guatemala: Piccinini – Hernández, Rodríguez, Monzón, Gonzáles, Castañeda, Sánchez, Gardiner, Alburez (McDonald 86), Paniagua (Mora 66), Almengo
USA: Meola – Banks, Windischmann, Trittschuh, Doyle, Harkes, Stollmeyer, Bliss, Gabarra (Klopas 61), Vermes, Murray (Eck 77)
Match 17
5 Nov 1989
Saint Louis Soccer Park,
Fenton, Missouri
The very windy conditions make good football difficult, and there are few opportunities either way during a tight first half. The US team are in the ascendancy, but face the threat of being turned over by the visitors, who have some quick players capable of swift transitions. The second half hardly sees any improvement from the home side’s perspective, as they struggle to find any creativity, and ultimately it is a deserved point for the visitors, who have Gómez sent off in the 90th minute for a savage chest kick.
USA (3-5-2): Meola – Trittschuh, Windischmann (c), Banks – Armstrong (Klopas 57), Ramos, Stollmeyer, Harkes, Bliss (Gabarra 83) – Eichmann, Murray
El Salvador (4-4-2): C Rivera – V Coreas, Rodríguez, Cárcamo, Estrada – Arbizú, Cienfuegos, Gómez, Menjívar – Rivas, O Zapata
Match 18
19 Nov 1989
National Stadium,
Port of Spain,
Trinidad&Tobago
Trinidad&Tobago 0 – 1 USA
Caligiuri (31′)
In this ‘winner takes it all’ encounter, USA triumph thanks to a wonder strike by midfielder Paul Caligiuri half an hour into the game. He was one of four changes from their previous encounter, and the visitors managed to subdue the carnival clad stadium with a calculated performance in which they hardly conceded any real goalscoring opportunities. The hosts looked off the pace, a bit nervy, and never played to the capacity shown earlier in the qualification. It was a game of few chances, but the visitors could celebrate reaching their first World Cup for 40 years by the full time whistle.
Trinidad&Tobago (4-3-3): Maurice – Williams, C Morris (c), Francis, Faustin – Latapy, Jamerson, Elliott-Allen (Alibey 75) – Yorke (Charles 60), Jones, Lewis
USA (3-5-2): Meola – Trittschuh, Windischmann (c), Doyle – Krumpe (Stollmeyer 62), Ramos, Caligiuri, Harkes, Bliss – Vermes, Murray
Not played!
It was decided that the final pair of matches would not be played. This was primarily due to security concerns, with the political situation in El Salvador having turned volatile towards the tail end of 1989, and with neither team able to inflict on the positions above them in the standings, the decision to call both matches off had seemed sensible. Therefore, both El Salvador and Guatemala finished the group stage of the World Cup qualification, and indeed the CONCACAF championship, with just six matches out of eight completed.
Match 19
19 Nov 1989
Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores,
Guatemala City,
Guatemala
El Salvador x – x Guatemala
Match 20
26 Nov 1989
Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores,
Guatemala City,
Guatemala
Guatemala x – x El Salvador
Final table
| Pos | Team | Pl | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Costa Rica | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 11 |
| 2 | USA | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 11 |
| 3 | Trinidad&Tobago | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 9 |
| 4 | Guatemala | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 3 |
| 5 | El Salvador | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 2 |
Costa Rica and USA qualify for the World Cup. Group winners Costa Rica are 1989 CONCACAF champions.
Verdict
The fixtures had been organized unevenly, with Costa Rica appearing in eight from the first ten (out of 20), thus completing their set at a point when others, like El Salvador, had only just started out on theirs. By that point, the Ticos had won all four of their home matches, and picked up points in two from four away. Their tally meant they already at that point looked odds on for qualification, even if some vague theoretical opportunities remained for both USA and Trinidad&Tobago surpassing them in the final standings.
Guatemala begun well with a home win against Costa Rica, but subsequently lost away to both the Ticos and to USA, and never looked a threat. El Salvador gave one of their best displays in their opening fixture at home to the Costa Ricans, but rather than pegging the visitors back to 3-3 late in the game, which they thought they’d done only to see the referee (rightfully) disallow their effort, they conceded a fourth and lost, with the crowd demonstrating their dissatisfaction by hurling objects out on to the pitch. This saw them banned from playing at home again until the end of the qualification, and the two goals they scored in their first fixture were the only two they accumulated in their six outings.
So the race to finish second was on between pace setters Trinidad&Tobago and USA, who had some catching up to do with a backlog of fixtures thanks to the schedule. The Americans were involved in all of the final four fixtures, prior to which they had been trailing the South Caribbean outfit by four points. A win on neutral soil in Honduras against El Salvador set them well on their way, and they looked a sound bet to overtake Trinidad&Tobago with matches at Guatemala and at home to El Salvador. However, they could only muster two goalless draws, and so the Trinis were ahead on goal difference prior to the final, decisive game.
Trinidad&Tobago had waited for over two and a half months to complete their programme when USA arrived in Port of Spain. A national holiday had been declared for the following day in Trinidad&Tobago regardless of the outcome. With such expectancy and having waited so long to get going, the Trinis players froze on the day and were far from as impressive as they had been in their most recent qualifiers. USA scored from a hit and hope by Caligiuri just after the half hour mark, and faced precious few hairy moments on their way to defending the result through to full time. So it was they who joined Costa Rica as the CONCACAF representatives at Italia ’90.