if you move towards me turn 4, when you complete your 2 bonuses, you would've been able to make some pressure on me i think. that would've been the best Moment
Not sure what you were waiting for. Did you count on him expanding West US? Did you want to make it "fair" and wait for him to find you in front of jumping into the gap and use your counter?
8 income at the end of turn 4 is preeeeeeetty bad. The counter at best will break central america and give you an attack against SA. Thats almost a straight trade West US for CA. Not very powerful.