Did you watch the Mexico game on Wednesday? I did, and Carlos Vela's performance gave me nightmare flashbacks to the 2009 Gold Cup final.
I was in the stands at old Giants Stadium that day and watched as a Vela-led El Tri took the USMNT apart in the second half of that game, to the tune of 5-0. They were flowing and relentless, and looked so, so certain to usher in an era of dominance for our neighbors to the south.
It happened like that for three years - Mexico had their usual Round of 16 exit in the 2010 World Cup, but followed that up with a dominant 2011 Gold Cup and 2012 Olympic gold.
Then the bottom dropped out in 2013 before San Zusi gave them a Hexagonal lifeline. They rebounded for – say it with me – another Round of 16 exit in this summer's World Cup.
But now? Now El Tri have their best player back, and a generation just entering their prime (seriously, look at all the 24-through-26 year-olds on this roster).
There's also Costa Rica – we saw what they could do this summer. Honduras are in the midst of a generational change, but judging by Olimpia's performance in this round of the CCL, the kids are alright. Panama are well-coached and ushering in an impressive younger generation (though, truth be told, they're probably one cycle away from being as good as they were in 2014's Hexagonal).
Even long-dormant Canada are showing signs of life, boasting a raft of talented young players with no long history of failure to burden them. Underestimate them at your own peril.
We're seven months away from the 2015 Gold Cup, and CONCACAF looks very much like a meat grinder.
Thanks for kickin' it with me this afternoon. Back again next week for some more Q&A action...
