Costa Rica vs. El Salvador Gold Cup 2015: Stream, Preview, Predictions, Lineups, Schedule
Costa Rica will look to overcome a disappointing display against Jamaica on Saturday when it takes on El Salvador in its second game of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The Ticos entered group play as the runaway favorites to make a deep run. The group it got, which included Jamaica, El Salvador and Canada posed minor threats and many felt that the team would cruise through its first three matches as a warm-up to the more demanding knockout rounds.
Things did not go according to that plan in the opener against Jamaica as Costa Rica found itself behind just 13 minutes in against an aggressive Jamaica. The team eventually found equilibrium at the end of the first half and ran away with two goals just four minutes apart. At halftime, the score read 2-1 Costa Rica.
At that point, the team was in control and looked destined to earn a solid three points from its first match.
It was not meant to be. Just three minutes after the restart, Jamaica found the equalizer and held on for a draw.
Fortunately for Costa Rica, the other match in Group B ended in similar fashion with both sides locked in a draw.
For El Salvador the trouble is just starting. Canada was undeniably the ideal team to start its campaign against, posing less threat than either Costa Rica or Jamaica. Now the team has to overcome the heavy hitter of the group and attempt to earn one more points in hopes of getting out of the group.
Costa Rica holds an all-time record of 38 wins, 10 draws and 14 losses against El Salvador. The team has only lost two times since 1997; both defeats came in 2009.
Prediction: Costa Rica wins 2-0.
Start Time: 8 p.m. EST
The game can be watched online using Fox Soccer 2G0’s subscription service.
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