Canada and Costa Rica both had an opportunity to take firm control of Group A in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. In the end, neither could, as they played to a stalemate in Houston.
Alphonso Davies and Francisco Calvo traded first-half goals as Les Rouges and Los Ticos split the points in a 1-1 draw at BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday night. Davies put the Canadians in front in the 26th minute with a nice one-timed effort, but Calvo responded with a soaring header off a set piece three minutes before halftime.
The result kept Canada and Costa Rica even on points atop Group A prior to Honduras and French Guiana's match on Tuesday night. The Canadians and Costa Ricans have four points apiece, with the Northerners sitting in first because they have scored more goals to this point in the tournament.
Goals
- 26' – CAN – Alphonso Davies
- 42' – CRC – Francisco Calvo
Three Things
- BITTERSWEET: It was another memorable day at the office for Davies, who scored the opener in the 26th minute with a trailing run to the back post that caught veteran right back Cristian Gamboa napping. The neat one-timed finish from Davies gave the Vancouver Whitecaps' teenager three tallies in the tournament, and he was a threat seemingly every time that Canada hit on the counter. There was reason for concern, however, after he left the match with an apparent injury in the 69th minute. It is unclear how serious the knock was, but losing Davies for any amount of time would be a blow for the Canadians.
- STRONG IN GOAL: While Canada looked dangerous at times in transition, they were outplayed by Costa Rica and only managed to grab a result thanks to a stellar outing from goalkeeper Milan Borjan. Recovered from the injury that forced him to be subbed out of his nation's tournament opener last week, Borjan made a whopping nine saves to keep Canada in it. Davies may have scored and looked good in the attack, but it was Borjan who was the best Canada player on the day.
- FINISHING WOES: Costa Rica had plenty of chances to win this one, but just could not find their finishing cleats. Los Ticos put 10 shots on frame in this Group A duel, and the only one that found the back of the net was a header from Minnesota United defender Calvo on a set piece. Costa Rica's attack has scored just two goals in as many matches in this tournament, and the production up front will have to improve if the Central Americans are to make a deep run.
Lineups
Costa Rica (4-5-1, left to right): #18 Patrick Pemberton – #15 Francisco Calvo, #5 Kenner Gutierrez, #2 Johnny Acosta, #3 Giancarlo Gonzalez, #16 Cristian Gamboa (73', #6 Jose Salvatierra) – #12 Joel Campbell (24', #7 David Ramirez), #20 David Guzman (61', #17 Yeltsin Tejada), #10 Bryan Ruiz, #13 Rodney Wallace – #21 Marco Ureña
Canada (4-1-4-1, left to right): #18 Milan Borjan – #4 Samuel Adekugbe, #19 Steven Vitoria, #5 Dejan Jakovic, #23 Michael Petrasso – #8 Samuel Piette – #12 Alphonso Davies (69', #2 Fraser Aird), #14 Mark-Anthony Kaye, #8 Scott Arfield, #10 David Junior Hoilett (77', #9 Lucas Cavallini) – #16 Anthony-Jackson Hamel (57', #11 Tosaint Ricketts)
Next Up
- CRC: Friday, July 14 – vs. French Guiana (7:30 pm ET | FS1 & UniMas; TSN GO)
- CAN: Friday, July 14 – vs. Honduras (10 pm ET | FS1 & UniMas; TSN GO)
