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Costa Rica 2 - 2 Jamaica
Kemar Lawrence wasn't scheduled to reunite with Jamaica until the last game of their group, but reports started to surface on Wednesday morning that he already joined Jamaica in California. After discussions with club and country, country must have won his services earlier than planned. Looks like he will not be available for the New York Red Bulls clash with the New England Revolution.
Both Lawrence and Roy Miller started their teams off on the right foot. In the 13th minute, Lawrence contributed a long throw in, which actually bounced in the middle of the 18-yard box without any Costa Rican defensemen coming close to touching it. The ball found its way to Garath McCleary who buried it, putting the Reggae Boyz up 1-0.
Not to be shown up by his club teammate, Miller struck 20 minutes later for the Ticos off a planned set piece from a free kick a few yards outside the box. A chipped ball over the Jamaican back line found his head and he nodded home the equalizer. The goal was Miller's first in Gold Cup play since he started playing for Costa Rica in 2005.
Goals were later added by David Ramírez for Costa Rica in the 37th minute and Jobi McAnuff in the 48th minute for Jamaica. Lawrence and Miller each put in a full 90 minutes during the 2-2 draw.
El Salvador 0 - 0 Canada
Canada was able to keep pace with the other side of their group, drawing El Salvador 0-0. Canada's best chance came in the 36th minute when Orlando City striker Cyle Larin was one-on-one with the goalkeeper. He dribbled around the goalie, then smacked the ball into the stands when he was staring at an open net. There is a bit of optimism, but on paper, this was the easiest game out of the group. Karl Ouimette did not play in this match.
All three defenders will be back in action on July 11th in Houston when Jamaica plays Canada, and Costa Rica squares off against El Salvador. A win in this game would pretty much guarantee promotion into the knockout round.