The CONCACAF Gold Cup is regarded as one of the premier tournaments in this region. It is a twelve-nation championship with counties from North America, Central American, and the Caribbean. The Gold Cup would make Columbus, Ohio the soccer capital of the Midwest. Four teams would vie for an opportunity to advance in this prestigious event.
The first match, Jamaica v. Costa Rica, was a must-win for both squads. Jamaica had already lost 1-0 to Canada in the opening doubleheader, while Costa Rica fell to El Salvador on a 2-1 margin. The Costa Rican squad, often referred to as La Sele, is a legitimate threat to enter the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. They currently sit in 1st place in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers.
Unfortunately, the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup and see this tournament as an opportunity to show they are a force to be reckoned with in the region. Jamaica’s veteran squad is led by several EPL players, including midfielder Ricardo Gardner (Bolton) and Ricardo Fuller (Stoke City).
The first half was relatively even, with neither side asserting its dominance over the other. Goal attempts and saves were equal at three. Jamaica held a 6-2 advantage on corner kicks, even though they committed twice as many fouls. Omar Cummings, a striker for the MLS Colorado Rapids, looked to be the best player on the field for Jamaica, while similar honors could go to Alvaro Saborio for Costa Rica. Cummings was a menace for the Costa Rican defense the entire night, creating scoring opportunities with impressive crosses. However, there was little support from his teammates during times of need. To make matters worse, a red card was given to Jamaica’s Rudolph Austin in the 35th minute. This was a game-changing moment that put Costa Rica in “the driver’s seat.” Being a man down, Head Coach Theodore Whitmore had no choice but to pull back and utilize a more conservative approach.
The second half brought home a win for Costa Rica. Celso Borges struck in the 63rd minute after receiving a cross from the right. Jamaican keeper Donovan Ricketts, currently with the Los Angeles Galaxy, was not able to stop his shot from five yards out. That was enough for the win. Some might wonder if the results would have been different if the red card was not issued. However, the reality of the situation is that Jamaica faces a tough road ahead to continue on in the Gold Cup.
Canada and El Salvador made up the second match of the night. Both were victorious in the opener and looked forward to moving on in the tournament. However, their stories are very different. Canada has failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup and can be seen several ways by the soccer community. Some see it as “sleeping giant,” a country of vast talent that is yet to be developed. Others see it as an association and a national team without an identity and without a league of its own. After all, Canada’s best teams play in the stronghold of America’s leagues. A small group of loyal supporters made the trip from Canada, but they were no match for the vibrant fans of their opponent.
El Salvador, lovingly referred to as Cuscatlecos by its passionate fans, finds itself in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. The Salvadorians, who love their team and its players, turned Crew Stadium into an electric, almost party-like atmosphere. There was no doubt where the vast amount of supporters came from.
Fortunately for Canada the game would be won on the field, not in the stands. All it took was a single goal from forward Ali Gerba in the 32nd minute. Will Johnson set up the play by beating his man and sending a cross into the box. Midfielder Patrice Bernier took a shot off the cross, which is deflected by Gerba for the goal. Johnson, who played a role as a hybrid midfielder/forward, was dominant on the pitch. He consistently evaded the Salvadorian defenders and created opportunities for his teammates.
