HOUSTON – It will be a top-of-the-table clash Tuesday night, when Costa Rica and Canada square off in the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup at BBVA Compass Stadium.
The sides opened Group A play with wins on Friday at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, with Costa Rica edging Honduras (1-0) and Canada doubling up French Guiana (4-2).
In seven previous Gold Cup meetings between them, the Canadians own a slight 2-1 advantage in wins, while four encounters – including the last one in 2015 (0-0) – ended in draws.
Major League Soccer standouts have been the focal points for both sides thus far.
San Jose Earthquakes forward Marco Ureña scored Costa Rica’s goal against Honduras thanks to an assist by New York City FC midfielder Rodney Wallace. Canada was lifted by a two-goal performance from Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Alphonso Davies, who – at 16-years-old – became the youngest scorer in Gold Cup history.
Here are some storylines to watch:
- If he plays, Costa Rica’s Bryan Ruiz – the 2016 CONCACAF Player of the Year – will earn his 100th cap.
- Following the 2005 edition, Costa Rica has won two straight Gold Cup games only once (2013: 3-0 v Cuba, 1-0 v Belize). Can it accomplish the feat again against Canada?
- Who will start in goal for Canada – Milan Borjan, who left the French Guiana game with an injury, or Impact de Montreal custodian Maxime Crepeau?
- What will Canada’s Alphonso Davies do for an encore?
