Gold Cup 2015: TV Schedule, Live Stream and Predictions for Wednesday Fixtures
The four teams in Group B will kick off their 2015 Gold Cup campaign Wednesday, as Costa Rica will take on Jamaica and El Salvador go head-to-head with Canada. BT Sport and Fox Sports will provide full TV coverage and live streams of both matches.
All four teams will like their chances of qualifying from what seems to be a very balanced group, featuring a side that appeared in the 2014 World Cup, an emerging Canadian team and the Reggae Boyz, who fought like lions at the 2015 Copa America and should find more success against CONCACAF opposition.
Here's a look at the schedule for Wednesday's matches, including full TV and live stream info:
| Wednesday July 8 | 8 p.m./1 a.m. | Costa Rica vs. Jamaica | Fox Sports 2, BT Sport 2 | BT Player, Fox Soccer 2 Go, Fox Sports Go |
| Wednesday July 8 | 10:30 p.m./3:30 a.m. | El Salvador vs. Canada | Fox Sports 2, BT Sport 2 | BT Player, Fox Soccer 2 Go, Fox Sports Go |
Costa Rica vs. Jamaica
After their wonderful run through the 2014 World Cup and recent success in friendlies, the excitement surrounding the Ticos is high. Manager Paulo Wanchope has replaced Jorge Luis Pinto, who guided the team last year, but on the surface, it doesn't appear to have had much of an impact on the side.
Wanchope recently spoke to reporters about the key differences he experiences between being a player and a manager, and the 38-year-old appears to have made the jump quite smoothly, per Goal's Jon Arnold:
"My role now is different. As a player, you worry about yourself, being fit. Sometimes you don't worry about anything more than what type of defenders you're going to face. Now as a manager, you have to see everything. You have to oversee all the details from how the opposing team plays, obviously your team, the whole administrative side, logistics.
"
The side is oozing with talent even without star goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who won't be playing at the 2015 Gold Cup due to injury. Celso Borges pulls the strings in midfield while the duo of Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell will provide plenty of danger.
The latter didn't feature much for Arsenal last season, and Bleacher Report's James McNicholas believes his time in north London is up:
A strong performance at the 2015 Gold Cup could do wonders for his transfer value, but Jamaica won't be making things easy on him. The Reggae Boyz's defence looked excellent during the 2015 Copa America against attacking giants like Argentina and Uruguay, and they would love to replicate that form during the Gold Cup.
On the other side of the pitch, Jamaica couldn't find much success, but striker Darren Mattocks remains a top poacher who should do better against CONCACAF defences. The 24-year-old hasn't always lived up to expectations in the national shirt in recent years, but if he can find his form at the Gold Cup, Jamaica could be dangerous.
The Reggae Boyz may not have as much raw talent as Costa Rica, but the team play disciplined, opportunistic football that usually yields results. Fitness could be an issue so close after the Copa America although Jamaica played just three matches in Chile.
Prediction: Costa Rica 1-1 Jamaica
El Salvador vs. Canada
Of the four teams, most will agree El Salvador are least likely to survive Group B after an inconsistent qualifying period. Via BBC News, it's been just two years since the massive match-fixing scandal that rocked the country, and manager Albert Roca is still rebuilding the team.
Roca has done some fantastic work with the squad, but according to Goal's Rodrigo Arias―via Arnold―that doesn't mean his job is secure:
Canada were also in dire need of a rebuild two years ago after a dreadful showing at the 2013 Gold Cup, and manager Benito Floro has done a wonderful job with the squad. Youth is the key for the Canadians, who have a ton of talented players currently climbing the youth ranks, and how the inexperienced stars handle playing on such a big stage will determine whether or not the team can qualify from the group.
Jonathan Osorio is playing wonderful football right now, and his great form should in turn open up space for Cyle Larin and Tesho Akindele, who will lead the attack for Canada.
Inexperience isn't the only issue holding Canada back; injuries have also taken their toll. Atiba Hutchinson and Will Johnson will both miss the tournament, as will defender Doneil Henry.
Canada will be eyeing a spot in the next round, and with Costa Rica and Jamaica looking like the two top teams in Group B, Wednesday's fixture against El Salvador will be key.
Prediction: El Salvador 0-2 Canada
.jpg?w=600 "Underrated Rookies for 2026 NFL Season")
.png?w=600 "Free Agency Flight Risks ✈️")
.jpg?w=600 "Grading SmackDown 🔠")