The second installment of Concacaf Nations League fixtures has drawn to a close, and we’re now left with a much clearer picture of which teams are on the rise, who can rest a bit easier after taking care of business, and the sides with plenty of work to do. 

Exhale.

The second international break of the year has arrived and the Concacaf Nations League is set to bring a healthy serving of drama on Matchdays 3 and 4. 

Lesson No. 1 in Concacaf: expect the unexpected.

Group A of the inaugural Concacaf Nations League offers no shortage of intriguing storylines. 

The inaugural Concacaf Nation kicks off in less than a month and in League C — the lowest tier of the competition — are 13 nations aiming to grow and gain promotion to League B in the next edition. The tournament is the first of its kind involving all 41 teams in the region and is a welcomed opportunity for many of the participants to convene and take part in more competitive matches than ever before, seven of which FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently visited to assess the development of the sport in the Caribbean.

League B of the inaugural Concacaf Nations League has a couple of surprising teams to go along with several teams that could vie for a promotion spot, against all odds. Despite finishing Nations League qualifying on the same amount of points as three teams that ended up in League A, Jamaica and El Salvador fell to League B by virtue of their goal differential over the four qualifying games. 

Just around the corner, the Concacaf Nations League tournament hits the group stage for the first installment of the tournament. After the qualifying stage that took place at the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019, the 41 teams in the region have been split up into three leagues, with group play starting during next month's international break. 

With Mexico and Canada predictably finishing one and two in Group A at the Concacaf Gold Cup, much of the drama of the group stage has already passed. Although the final three groups have yet to play their final games, four of the other six teams that will play in the quarterfinals have already been decided.

The United States men's national team had to survive a scare or two from Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday night in the second half, but eventually turned the Gold Cup contest into a laugher, winning 6-0. Two goals from Aaron Long and Gyasi Zardes were complimented by strikes from Christian Pulisic and Paul Arriola, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The win set up a showdown on Wednesday with Panama, to determine who will win Group D. A win or draw for the USA will ensure the top position in the group.

Just about what we expected.