Jamaica Ties Costa Rica in Gold Cup

Ignore the fact that Costa Rica sits at an exalted 14th place while Jamaica hangs low at 65th on the Euro-and-South American-centric Federation Internationale de Football Association rankings-tonight’s Gold Cup matchup between the two North American teams will be imbalanced for several reasons.

Jamaica are Six-Time winners of the Caribbean Cup and to date have failed to deliver on the bigger stage of the Gold Cup, traditionally dominated by the powerhouses of Mexico and the United States of America.

In the late contest Wednesday Canada and El Salvador played to a 0-0 draw as all four teams in the Group B earned a single point in their openers.

Jamaica is a team Canada have good knowledge of, having beaten them 3-1 in September. The next four teams from the Gold Cup will enter a playoff for the last two spots in the 2016 Copa América Centenario. On the flipside, Canada should come with better technique and tactical team approach that if they can dig for confidence and commit to pulling in the same direction, will be in a position for points and still in a position to advance when they arrive at BMO Field. With goals a necessity against Jamaica, will we see one (or both) of Jonathan Osorio and Russell Teibert in the starting lineup to provide a few playmaking punch?

Both matches will be available on Fox Sports 2 with Costa Rica/Jamaica at 7:00PM and El Salvador/Canada at 9:30PM.

Canada were also in dire need of a rebuild two years ago after a dreadful showing at the 2013 Gold Cup, and manager Benito Floro has done a wonderful job with the squad. Most recently, Jamaica has had a three game losing streak.

The Reggae Boyz kicked off their Gold Cup hunt on a fairly positive note with a draw with Costa Rica.

“A 5’10” raging bull of energy and relentless attack, Giovani Dos Santos’ striking ability on goal makes him one of the best players in the world.

Of the four teams, most will agree El Salvador are least likely to survive Group B after an inconsistent qualifying period.

Joel McAnuff opened the second half with a nifty dribble drive through the Costa Rican defense before shooting a rocket past Esteban Alvarado to knot the game at 2 in the 48th minute.