ORLANDO, Florida.- The top spot in Group C is on the line when Costa Rica and Jamaica clash Tuesday night at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, FL.
The margins between Costa Rica and Jamaica are razor-thin as both teams have six points after two games and share the same goal differential. Los Ticos are currently sitting on top of the group due to having scored one extra goal. All of that could change Tuesday.
This will be the fourth game between Costa Rica and Jamaica in a Gold Cup, with Los Ticos taking the slight lead with one win, and two draws between the two. The last time these two sides faced each other in the Gold Cup was in July 2015, a match that ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw at StubHub Center. Both teams have dealt with some grueling tests to get to this point.
Costa Rica relied upon its experience to get past Guadeloupe and Suriname. Veteran Celso Borges got his name on the scoresheet in both matches. He has the most Gold Cup appearances among his teammates, having played in 23 matches in the '09, '11, '13, '15, '19 and '21 editions of the tournament.
The midfielder has faced Jamaica eight times and scored two goals against the Reggae Boyz -- in the 2015 Gold Cup and CONCACAF World Cup Russia 2018 Qualifier match. Interestingly enough, in the last five games that Borges has scored, Costa Rica has picked up five victories. His play will be critical against an in-form Jamaica side.
Jamaica is seeking its third-straight win to secure the top seed in Group C. The Reggae Boyz come into the match as slight underdogs but have a lot to be encouraged about -- especially Junior Flemmings
The forward might have come on as a substitute against Guadeloupe, but he made an immediate impact. He would score the game-winner against Les Gwada Boys. Jamaica will need other players to step up in the way Flemmings did in order to get past an experienced Costa Rica side.
