Gold Cup Final 2015: Championship TV Schedule and Live Stream
One of the most intriguing Gold Cup finals in history takes place on Sunday night, as minnows Jamaica look to slay hot favourites Mexico.
The Jamaicans are the surprise package of the tournament and shocked the watching millions as they knocked the USA out of the competition at the semi-final stage.
Mexico have had a shaky few weeks, suffering a poor Copa America campaign and indifferent form at the Gold Cup. However, as one of the pre-tournament favourites, they have navigated their way to the final match and should lift the trophy, if history repeats for the six-time winners.
Here is how you can catch this prestigious CONCACAF final, with TV and streaming information:
Date: Monday, July 27
Time: 12:30 a.m. (BST), 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 26 (ET)
Live Stream: BT Sports App (UK only); Fox Soccer 2Go (USA only)
TV Info: BT Sports 2 and HD (UK only); Fox Sports (USA only)
The Romance for Jamaica
Football has always been about David and Goliath battles through the ages, but none come much bigger than minnows Jamaica's attempt to win their first Gold Cup—against Mexico.
The FIFA world rankings do not do this match justice, with the Caribbean side placed 76th against a relatively low ranking of 40th for the Mexicans.
Jamaica have twice been semi-finalists in the competition—in 1993 and 1998—but they finally broke their duck with a shocking win over hosts USA.
Reggae Boyz coach Winfried Schafer spoke of his delight after last Wednesday's semi-final win, per CONCACAF.com: "I am very proud of my team. What we were doing from the first minute to the last minute was over the limit. I am very happy. We are not finished. We cannot make a party now. We have one match more."
Former Manchester United legend Andrew Cole also publicly congratulated Jamaica for their efforts against the United States and for making their way to the Gold Cup final:
Giles Barnes was the key man for Jamaica in their win over USMNT—scoring the decisive goal—and his Man of the Match performance will need to be repeated if his side are to beat the traditional football giant of the region.
The London-born player—now at the Houston Dynamos after a distinguished career in England—spoke to CONCACAF.com about his team's self-belief as they marched their way to history:
"Back in the Jamaica right now there's got to be a party somewhere. It will even be greater when we lift the cup in the final as well. ... I think it’s up there. We made history by getting into the final. It's an incredible achievement. I think we shocked a few people along the way. We haven't shocked ourselves. We don't fear anybody and that's such a big thing.
"
It took two penalties to see Mexico through to the final, with Andres Guardado's conversions giving his side the 2-1 win over Panama.
The 28-year-old now has three goals for his country at the 2015 Gold Cup, according to WhoScored.com, after winning the Dutch Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven last term.
The player will be hoping to add to his trophy haul late on Sunday evening—with Mexico full of experience at this stage of the competition.
However, Jamaica are on a hot streak of four straight wins and appear to be the form team on paper. Mexico have three wins from their last six but have not been the convincing force of years gone by.
Sunday could be one of the truly romantic nights in recent world football—if the Reggae Boyz pull off what was not even thought possible just a couple of weeks ago.
The draw always favoured a route to the final for Mexico, but they will have been preparing for a battle with the USA and not the unconventional Jamaicans.
With Barnes in top form and looking like the prodigious talent of his Derby days—when he represented England under-19s—there is no doubt Jamaica can cause a massive shock against Mexico and steal away their first-ever Gold Cup.
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