Jamaica, Costa Rica advance in Gold Cup

AFP, TORONTO (CANADA): A second-half goal from Reading winger Garath McCleary fired Jamaica into the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup as group winners here Tuesday with a 1-0 win over El Salvador.
McCleary pounced on a shot from Jobi McAnuff to bag his second goal of the tournament and ensure that the Reggae Boyz topped Group B to set up a quarter-final on Saturday against Haiti.
The 28-year-old’s 72nd-minute winner was no less than Jamaica deserved in sweltering conditions at Toronto’s BMO Field.
The Caribbean side, which had arrived at the Gold Cup after a winless performance as a guest team at the Copa America, created the better chances throughout an even encounter.
Jamaica were also indebted to a heroic performance between the posts by substitute goalkeeper Ryan Thompson, who replaced Dwayne Miller after 22 minutes.
Thompson, who plays in the United Soccer League—the third tier of football in the United States, made several key blocks to keep El Salvador at bay during the second half.
Jamaica, which had already been assured of a place in the last eight after a draw with Costa Rica and a win over Canada, were forced to endure a nervy finish when Darren Mattocks was shown a red card for a second bookable offence.
But despite pressure from El Salvador, Jamaica, whose squad includes several players from the lower reaches of English football, held firm.
Elsewhere Tuesday, Canada’s involvement in the competition came to an end as they were held to a 0-0 draw by World Cup quarter-finalists Costa Rica.
The Canadians needed a victory against Los Ticos to vault into second place and reach the last eight.
However, despite a furious late onslaught, the Canadians were unable to breach some desperate Costa Rica defending and were eliminated.
Bryan Ruiz was the hero for Costa Rica, producing a goal-line clearance from Andre Hainault in the closing minutes to deny Canada a famous win.
Costa Rica qualified for the quarter-finals as runners-up and will now face the second place team from Group C — most likely Mexico or Trinidad & Tobago — in the last eight.
 Meanwhile, striker Jozy Altidore was dropped from US coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s Gold Cup squad Tuesday while defender DaMarcus Beasley was added as the unbeaten defending champions prepare for the knockout stages.
The unbeaten Americans, who made three roster changes in all, face a quarter-final match Saturday at Baltimore against a yet to be determined opponent in the biennial North American regional championship.
Altidore, a forward for Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC, has been nagged by a hamstring injury and did not play in a 1-1 US draw with Panama on Monday. He started the first two group matches but was removed in the second half of each.
“We believe that Jozy is just not there yet,” Klinsmann said. “Jozy never really got into this tournament and never really picked up the rhythm. He’s just simply not in the shape right now to help us.
“For Jozy it’s just simply going back to Toronto, picking up his rhythm, getting in shape, working on his fitness and then he will start scoring goals again.”
Altidore indicated it was an amicable split in a Twitter posting.
“Always a pleasure to be a part of @ussoccer,” Altidore tweeted. “all the best to the boys the rest of the way! #KeepTheCup.”
His roster spot was taken by Alan Gordon, a 33-year-old striker who has four goals this season for the MLS Los Angeles Galaxy.
Beasley, a 33-year-old defender for the MLS Houston Dynamo who had declared his international retirement last year, replaced Greg Garza, whose first cap tied the Mexican-American to the US roster, while Joe Corona, a 25-year-old midfielder for Mexican side Veracruz, replaced midfielder Alfredo Morales.
Beasley has 121 caps, making him the most experienced player on the US roster. The four-time World Cup veteran last donned a national team jersey at last year’s finals in Brazil and now makes his sixth Gold Cup appearance, having been part of four Gold Cup winners, including as captain of the 2013 squad.
Gordon and Corona were also members of the 2013 US Gold Cup winners, with Corona scoring twice in the event.
Klinsmann had 24 hours after the Panama match to make up to six changes in the 23-man roster for the remainder of the Gold Cup.

Jamaica, Costa Rica advance in Gold Cup

AFP, TORONTO (CANADA): A second-half goal from Reading winger Garath McCleary fired Jamaica into the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup as group winners here Tuesday with a 1-0 win over El Salvador. McCleary pounced on a shot from Jobi McAnuff to bag his second goal of the tournament and ensure that the Reggae Boyz topped Group B to set up a quarter-final on Saturday against Haiti. The 28-year-olds 72nd-minute winner was no less than Jamaica deserved in sweltering conditions at Torontos BMO Field. The Caribbean side, which had arrived at the Gold Cup after a winless performance as a guest team at the Copa America, created the better chances throughout an even encounter. Jamaica were also indebted to a heroic performance between the posts by substitute goalkeeper Ryan Thompson, who replaced Dwayne Miller after 22 minutes. Thompson, who plays in the United Soccer Leaguethe third tier of football in the United States, made several key blocks to keep El Salvador at bay during the second half. Jamaica, which had already been assured of a place in the last eight after a draw with Costa Rica and a win over Canada, were forced to endure a nervy finish when Darren Mattocks was shown a red card for a second bookable offence. But despite pressure from El Salvador, Jamaica, whose squad includes several players from the lower reaches of English football, held firm. Elsewhere Tuesday, Canadas involvement in the competition came to an end as they were held to a 0-0 draw by World Cup quarter-finalists Costa Rica. The Canadians needed a victory against Los Ticos to vault into second place and reach the last eight. However, despite a furious late onslaught, the Canadians were unable to breach some desperate Costa Rica defending and were eliminated. Bryan Ruiz was the hero for Costa Rica, producing a goal-line clearance from Andre Hainault in the closing minutes to deny Canada a famous win. Costa Rica qualified for the quarter-finals as runners-up and will now face the second place team from Group C most likely Mexico or Trinidad Tobago in the last eight. Meanwhile, striker Jozy Altidore was dropped from US coach Jurgen Klinsmanns Gold Cup squad Tuesday while defender DaMarcus Beasley was added as the unbeaten defending champions prepare for the knockout stages. The unbeaten Americans, who made three roster changes in all, face a quarter-final match Saturday at Baltimore against a yet to be determined opponent in the biennial North American regional championship. Altidore, a forward for Major League Soccers Toronto FC, has been nagged by a hamstring injury and did not play in a 1-1 US draw with Panama on Monday. He started the first two group matches but was removed in the second half of each. We believe that Jozy is just not there yet, Klinsmann said. Jozy never really got into this tournament and never really picked up the rhythm. Hes just simply not in the shape right now to help us. For Jozy its just simply going back to Toronto, picking up his rhythm, getting in shape, working on his fitness and then he will start scoring goals again. Altidore indicated it was an amicable split in a Twitter posting. Always a pleasure to be a part of @ussoccer, Altidore tweeted. all the best to the boys the rest of the way! #KeepTheCup. His roster spot was taken by Alan Gordon, a 33-year-old striker who has four goals this season for the MLS Los Angeles Galaxy. Beasley, a 33-year-old defender for the MLS Houston Dynamo who had declared his international retirement last year, replaced Greg Garza, whose first cap tied the Mexican-American to the US roster, while Joe Corona, a 25-year-old midfielder for Mexican side Veracruz, replaced midfielder Alfredo Morales. Beasley has 121 caps, making him the most experienced player on the US roster. The four-time World Cup veteran last donned a national team jersey at last years finals in Brazil and now makes his sixth Gold Cup appearance, having been part of four Gold Cup winners, including as captain of the 2013 squad. Gordon and Corona were also members of the 2013 US Gold Cup winners, with Corona scoring twice in the event. Klinsmann had 24 hours after the Panama match to make up to six changes in the 23-man roster for the remainder of the Gold Cup.