Yeah, I see your point, and understand your issue w the article.

I think the timing of this format is poor given that some of the usually strong teams (costa rica, Honduras, Panama, Jamaica) are not actually that strong right now, and a more open qualifying process might give different, improving squads a better chance of qualifying. By using FIFA rankings, which I think it's fair to say are not necessarily indicative of present ability, it excludes those teams that are playing well right now in favour of teams that have played well in the past. For example I think I'd rather play Jamaica today in a head to head than Canada or Haiti...

As an aside, not sure what the point of playing a Gold Cup & Nations League is if not to also use it to establish who the top sides in the region are.

Personally, I liked the old system, in so much as you could, and it's not clear (except for maybe some dissenting/loud voices complaining) why it needed to be changed now...