The team was eliminated after losing all three of its group matches, 1-0 to Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina. US (automatic qualifier and potential host), Mexico (automatic qualifier), Jamaica (2014 Caribbean Cup winners) and Costa Rica (2014 Copa Centroamericana winners) have already qualified for the tournament.
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However, second-half substitute Corea ensured Costa Rica’s winless streak extended to seven matches after restoring parity with his maiden El Salvador goal in the first minute of injury time.
Four minutes later, Celso Borges fired a long ball from near midfield, which caught the Jamaica defense napping. Ramirez played a one-time cross and Miller headed past the Jamaican goalkeeper. The deflected shot sent groans from the early Salvadoran fans who showed up for the latter half of the Group B doubleheader versus Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s Roy Miller, left, celebrates with Joel Campbell, …
It should also be noted that they have failed to get past the quarter-final stage of the Gold Cup in four of their last five attempts, which is a concern.
In 2013, Canada scraped out a 0-0 draw in the closing game of its tournament; in 2015, that scoreless draw came in the opener.
A stumble from Stamatopoulos nearly saw Darren Mattocks’ scuffed shot loop into the net in the 66th minute but Canada’s gloveman recovered to make the save, while the 35-year-old parried Barnes’ 20-yard drive away soon after. The 24-year-old hasn’t always lived up to expectations in the national shirt in recent years, but if he can find his form at the Gold Cup, Jamaica could be risky. Fouls from the front men, routinely let Canada off the hook and allowed them opportunities to build up.
Cyle Larin broke in on goal, dribbled around the goalkeeper and with the goal at his mercy drove the ball high and wide. Granted, that does not offer much comfort as both times Canada was seen as favourites and most would expect three points against the weakest opponent in the group.
Winfried Schäfer’s boys will be riding on the momentum of their surprise 2-2 standoff with the highly-regarded Los Ticos in their opening game on Wednesday at the StubHub Center in Carson, as per Yahoo Sports.
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Captain Arturo Alvarez’s low drive in the 58th minute was easily handled by Stamatopolous and, a minute later, Spain-based midfielder Samuel Piette forced Carrillo to tip over from a powerful volley. “We are playing in the strongest group at the Gold Cup“.
