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With the Canadian Women’s National Team eliminated from 2015 Women’s World Cup and the competition coming to a close, the attention of Canadian national team supporters will now turn to the Canadian Men’s National Team and the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament.
Canada, who have thrived in recent months under the leadership of Head Coach Benito Floro, will kick off the first game of the tournament against El Salvador as part of a very competitive Group B that also includes Jamaica and Costa Rica.
See also: 5 Canadians to watch at the 2015 Gold Cup
El Salvador - July 8th, 2015 (StubHub Center, Carson, California)
Canada’s first opponents in the group stage are El Salvador, a team that is coming off a 6-3 aggregate win over St. Kitts and Nevis during 2018 World Cup Qualifying. They have reached the Quarterfinals the last two CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments in 2011 and 2013.
Under Spanish coach Albert Roca, the squad is looking more organized and improved as was evident in their last friendly match against Chile, a 1-0 loss in Rancagua, Chile the hosts used as preparation for 2015 Copa America.
Key Players: FWD Nelson Bonilla, MID Andrés Flores and MID Richard Menjivar
Having scored three goals against St. Kitts and Nevis during World Cup Qualifying, FC Viitorul forward Nelson Bonilla is the in-form striker for the Salvadorians. Bonilla is coming off a 7 goal and 2 assist season in the Romanian league, one of only a handful of players competing in Europe. Other players that should prove vital for El Salvador are a pair of midfielders based in North America, attacking midfielder/captain Andrés Flores of the New York Cosmos and defensive midfielder Richard Menjivar of the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Jamaica - July 11th, 2015 (BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas)
After opening against El Salvador, the Canadians then travel to Houston, Texas to play Jamaica, a team fresh off a decent showing at the 2015 Copa America. Jamaica will be looking to make a statement following failure to qualify for the last Gold Cup tournament.
Since 2012, where Jamaica finished last in the Caribbean Cup in a group consisting of Martinique, Cuba and French Guiana, Jamaica has rebounded under German coach Winfred Schafer, hosting and winning the 2014 Caribbean Cup while also looking better organized and more compact defensively than when Canada last played Jamaica in September 2014 at BMO Field (with Canada defeating Jamaica 3-1).
Key Players: FWD Darren Mattocks, MID Rodolph Austin, DEF Kemar Lawrence
Most of Jamaica’s talent play in MLS or the within different tiers of English football. Three players to keep an eye on are Kemar Lawrence, Rodolph Austin and Darren Mattocks. Along with Portland Timbers Alvas Powell and FC Edmonton’s Lance Laing, Lawrence of the New York Red Bulls gives the Reggae Boyz speed and quality crosses from the wide positions. This is an element of the game Schafer has focused on during recent friendly matches and at the Copa America, stretching the field and angles of delivery rather than just kicking the ball forward and chasing it down. As the captain of the side during Copa America, Austin of Leeds United brings a physical presence, a target for crosses and he can even take set pieces. We’re all familiar with what Mattocks brings to the Vancouver Whitecaps and he’ll be paired with Houston Dynamo’s Giles Barnes.
Costa Rica - July 14th, 2015 (BMO Field, Toronto, Canada)
Canada’s final group game takes place at home against Costa Rica, a team that had been growing under former coach Jorge Luis Pinto and that has continued to do so under one of its legendary former players in Paulo Wanchope. This is a team that caught the attention of those around the world during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, managing to top a group consisting of Uruguay, Italy and England, defeating Greece in the Round of 16 and coming within penalty kicks of defeating Netherlands in the Quarterfinals.
From that point on, the Ticos have played well in friendly matches against big opposition such as South Korea, Uruguay, Colombia, Spain and Mexico. Costa Rica has been hit by injuries to key players, most notably fullback Bryan Oviedo and goalkeeper Kelor Navas. However, they still have some top players to keep an eye on.
Key Players: FWD Bryan Ruiz, FWD Alvaro Saborio DEF Giancarlo Gonzalez
Without Navas in goal to help bail them out of sticky situations, Costa Rica’s defensive unit will need to step up. Their back line includes Palermo defender (formerly of Columbus Crew SC) Giancarlo Gonzalez. However, for this team to win it will need to see goals from its forward line, whether that be proven players in Europe like Bryan Ruiz, known quantities in MLS like Alvaro Saborio or young players such as Joel Campbell and David Ramirez. If these players hit form at the right time, they have a good chance of not only advancing from the group but breaking up the Gold Cup duopoly of Mexico and USA.
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