Canada vs. Costa Rica
2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup
July 14 | 8:30 pm ET | BMO Field, Toronto
TV: Sportsnet One, Sportsnet World, Fox Sports 1, UniMas
Both teams still have everything to play for as Group B comes to a close. Neither Costa Rica nor Canada are where they’d hoped to be at this point following late-game collapses on Saturday night, but both sides know that if they perform on Tuesday, redemption is within their grasp.
HOME FIELD? On paper, this is a home game for Canada. And the Voyageurs will, as ever, make their voices heard in the stadium. But with two underwhelming Gold Cup performances so far, will Canadians actually fill BMO Field and provide their side with a true home-field advantage?
WAIT AND SEE: With Jamaica playing El Salvador in the early game, both Canada and Costa Rica will know exactly what they need in terms of results by the time their game kicks off. If El Salvador can snatch a win, the night game will suddenly turn into a de facto must-win for both teams.
GO FORWARD
: No matter what happens, Canada’s tournament is done if they don’t find the back of the net. That means head coach Benito Floro will need a change in tactics and likely in personnel. The fans in Toronto – and beyond – will be clamoring to see playmaking midfielder Jonathan Osorio play a much bigger role.
ANCIENT HISTORY: The last time these teams met at BMO Field (2007), it was a 1-1 draw. The last time they met in the Gold Cup (2009), it was a 2-2 draw. The two teams’ paths have diverged massively since then, of course, but could a similar result be in the cards on Tuesday evening?
THE STAR YOU KNOW
Bryan Ruiz, F, Costa Rica. The Ticos’ talismanic captain scored his 17th national team goal on Saturday, which looked like it would stand up as the winner until the game’s dying moments. He’ll lead the charge for a team looking to finally live up to its pre-tournament expectations.
THE PLAYER WHO WILL SURPRISE YOU
Simeon Jackson, M/F, Canada.
He hasn’t played a minute yet in this Gold Cup. But Canada will desperately need someone to shake things up in the attack, and the 28-year-old fits into the system Floro plays. If Canada is to have a hero emerge and save its Gold Cup, it could very well be him.
