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Gold Cup 2021: Jamaica Defeats Suriname, Costa Rica Knocks Off Guadeloupe at Exploria Stadium

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5 years ago

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The Concacaf Gold Cup matches for Group C kicked off at Exploria Stadium in front of 6,403 fans tonight as four countries began their run toward qualification for the knockout stage. The early match pitted Jamaica against first-time Gold Cup participant Suriname, with Costa Rica squaring off against Guadeloupe in the nightcap.

By the end of the night, the favorites had left their mark on Group C, with Jamaica and Costa Rica taking care of business against the Concacaf Nations League C Group D winners and the Concacaf Nations League B Group D winners, respectively.

Jamaica 2, Suriname 0

The Jamaicans wasted no time in getting on the board, scoring on the first shot attempt of the match by either side. After an attack seemed to evaporate after Leon Bailey held the ball too long, cutting back multiple times and opening up shooting lanes, he opted to pass instead. The ball cycled right to left to Shamar Nicholson, who cut in from the left and fired a shot back against the grain that found the inside of the left post to put the Reggae Boyz ahead 1-0 in the sixth minute.

Suriname should have leveled the game moments later. Gleofilo Vlijter was sent in behind the Jamaican defense in the eighth minute but he fired his shot just inches wide of Andre Blake’s goal, wasting an excellent opportunity to equalize.

Bobby Decordova-Reid doubled Jamaica’s lead in the 26th minute with a golazo on the volley. A routine ball forward was headed out by the defense but Reid ran onto it and struck it out of the air, giving Suriname goalkeeper Warner Hahn no chance.

Suriname again came close to pulling the goal right back. Sheraldo Becker fired a shot from the top of the area and Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake nearly spilled it into the path of an onrushing Suriname attacker but he double clutched it and hung on in the 29th minute.

That was it for the good scoring chances in the first half and Jamaica took its 2-0 lead into the break. Both teams had three first-half shots, with Jamaica getting all three on frame and Suriname hitting the target twice. Jamaica held 56% of the possession and both teams won two corners and were 85% accurate with their passes.

Nicholson had a chance to put the game to bed in the 51st minute when Alvas Powell fizzed a cross into the box that just needed a touch. Nicholson got his foot on the cross but it squirted off to the side. Nicholson again should have scored in the 60th off a cross from Blair Turgott. He tried to take the shot with his first touch but again failed to make good contact.

Suriname just couldn’t find a breakthrough. Becker sent a free kick over the bar from a dangerous spot just outside the area in the 67th minute. Diego Biseswar sent a shot on target in the 81st but it was no trouble for Blake in the 81st.

Jamaica couldn’t add to its lead either, despite good opportunities for Turgott in the 69th and substitute Junior Flemmings in the 86th minute.

Suriname fired more shots (10-7), but each team got six on target and Jamaica’s were from much more dangerous positions overall. Suriname also won more corners (5-3). Jamaica held 53% of the possession and both teams were 83% accurate with their passes.

Jamaica improved to 5-1-0 in the all-time series against Suriname.

Costa Rica 3, Guadeloupe 1

Like the Jamaicans in the first game, the Ticos jumped on top early. In fact, they scored in the exact same minute.

Goalkeeper Yohann Thuram came off his line to play a routine ball but somehow spilled it in horrific fashion and Joel Campbell slotted it home to give the Ticos the lead in the sixth minute.

Campbell looked to chip Thuram in the ninth minute but the goalkeeper was spared further embarrassment when the shot sailed over the net.

The first decent look for Guadeloupe came in the 17th minute when Mickael Alphonse hit a free kick on target but it didn’t trouble Costa Rica goalkeeper Leonel Moreira. A minute later, Guadeloupe’s Matthias Phaeton tried an audacious strike from distance but hit it over the bar.

Costa Rica doubled the lead in the 21st minute when the Houston Dynamo’s Ariel Lassiter took a pass from Campbell and poked it home to make it 2-0. It was Lassiter’s first Gold Cup goal (and first goal for Costa Rica), and scoring in this competition is something his father — U.S. international Roy Lassiter — never accomplished.

Phaeton took a free kick set up by a Kendall Waston challenge that got the former MLS defender booked. The 43rd-minute free kick attempt was a good one but the curling shot stayed just wide of the far post and Guadeloupe remained without a goal.

Guadeloupe finally got on the board in the dying seconds of the first half.

With Guadeloupe playing a late corner kick short, Alphonse took a short pass and sent a cross into the box that appeared to be too close to Moreira. Just as the Costa Rican goalkeeper seemed about to catch the cross, Raphael Mirval came flying out of the pack and got a foot to it to tap it home and make it 2-1 in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time to make it 2-1. It was just about the last kick of the half.

Shots were 5-4 in Guadeloupe’s favor, with each team getting three on target. Guadeloupe also had a slight edge in passing accuracy (90%-89%). Costa Rica dominated possession (61%-39%) and earned more corners (2-1).

Guadeloupe came out looking for the equalizer and Phaeton put a free kick on the roof of Moreira’s net in the 52nd minute. Unfortunately for his team, Steve Solvet threw a punch during that play and after video review, referee Ismail Elfath sent off the defender, reducing Guadeloupe to 10 men. Solvet became the first player sent off in a Gold Cup match via video review.

Costa Rica put the match out of reach in the 70th minute. Celso Borges made it 3-1 with a flying volley shot back against the grain after a fantastic cross from the left side by substitute Luis Diaz.

That was it for the scoring. Guadeloupe was awarded a penalty but Elfath reviewed the play and changed his ruling, making for a less exciting final 10 minutes.

Costa Rica held on for the 3-1 win and took over the lead in the Group C standings on a goals scored tiebreaker.

The Ticos out-shot Guadeloupe 10-7 (7-3 on target), and had more corners (4-2), and possession (62%-38%). Guadeloupe was a bit sharper in passing accuracy (91%-89%).

Guadeloupe will take on Jamaica on Friday in the early game and Suriname will face Costa Rica in the nightcap at Exploria Stadium.

Group C Standings

Costa Rica: 1-0-0, 3 points, +2 GD

Jamaica: 1-0-0, 3 points, +2 GD

Guadeloupe: 0-1-0, 0 points, -2 GD

Suriname: 0-1-0, 0 points, -2 GD

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Podcasts

SkoPurp Soccer Episode 144: Gotham Rewind, Seattle Preview, and More

The Pride finished their home schedule with a loss to Gotham and hope to finish their road schedule with a win in Seattle.

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1 week ago

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October 28, 2026

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Image of Solai Washington running onto a ball behind the Gotham defense.
Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

The Orlando Pride tried to send their fans home happy in their regular-season home finale, but despite an impressive overall performance against the league leaders, the Pride wasted numerous chances in front of goal and paid for two big mistakes at the back in what ultimately ended as a 2-1 loss in a season filled with far too many defeats. Solai Washington did so many things well, but despite a month’s worth of chances, she could only muster one goal. Still, it was a promising outing albeit in a developing story that won’t continue much longer this year.

We discuss the key plays, players, and moments, look back at our score predictions from last week, and select our Player of the Match.

This week’s mailbagbox asked us about Marta, the reasons for the Pride’s struggles in 2026, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. You can use that same hashtag and hit @TheManeLand.bsky.social up on Bluesky. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We’d also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we’ll find them easily and read them on the show.

Finally, we look ahead to Sunday’s season finale at the Seattle Reign. The Pride opened their 2026 season with a home loss to the Reign but would like to close it with a road win over Seattle to enter the off-season on a positive note. It won’t be easy, as the Reign are clinging to the last playoff spot and trying to catch rival Portland as multiple teams are trying to catch them. We look at Orlando’s attempt to play spoiler, check back on the series history, compare the teams’ positions in the table, provide our key matchups, and more.

Here’s how Episode 144 went down:

0:15 – The Pride finished their home schedule with a good performance but another poor result against the league’s top team.

20:07 – Our mailbagbox has questions about the GOAT.

38:26 – Seattle was the first 2026 opponent and will be the last 2026 opponent. We preview for the last time this season.

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Podcasts

SkoPurp Soccer Episode 140: Bay FC Rewind, San Diego Preview, and More

The Pride keep their playoff hopes alive by eliminating Bay FC but things get tougher with San Diego visiting Friday.

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1 month ago

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September 30, 2026

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Image of Jacquie Ovalle dribbling toward the Bay FC defense.
Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Justin Glatt

The Orlando Pride remained perfect on the road against Bay FC with a 3-1 win on Sunday. Deuces were wild, as Haley McCutcheon, who wears jersey No. 2, scored in the second minute of both halves, and her two goals in California gave the midfielder her second brace of both the 2026 NWSL season and her career. Barbra Banda figured heavily in pulling defenders out of position on two of the three Orlando goals and assisted on Jacquie Ovalle’s right-footed thunderbolt in stoppage time to put the game away. But make no mistake, it’s not as if the Pride played well, turning the ball over often and conceding 28 shot attempts to the hosts.

We break down a road win that may have been more exhausting to watch than to play in (although I wouldn’t bet on it), check back on our score predictions, and make our selections for Player of the Match.

This week’s mailbagbox asked us about Haley McCutcheon, where to most strongly place the blame for the Pride’s disappointing season, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. You can use that same hashtag and hit @TheManeLand.bsky.social up on Bluesky. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We’d also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we’ll find them easily and read them on the show.

Finally, we looked ahead to Friday, when Orlando will host San Diego Wave FC, looking to both complete a season sweep and to keep its faint playoff hopes alive. We look at the series history, provide our key matchups for the contest, and make our predictions for the final score.

Here’s how Episode 140 went down:

0:15 – The Pride improved to 2-1-1 under Yolanda Thomas, but a lot of good Cosette Morche saves were required to get that second win.

20:00- The mailbagbox asks us to play the blame game.

33:36 – The Pride continue to face California-based competition, but Friday’s opponent is much higher in the table than Sunday’s was.

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Orlando City

Orlando City vs. San Jose Earthquakes: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

Orlando City restarts its 2026 MLS campaign late tonight out west at San Jose.

Published

4 months ago

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July 22, 2026

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Image of Braian Ojeda taking a shot in a friendly against FC Dallas.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Justin Glatt

Welcome to your match thread for a late night midweek matchup tonight between Orlando City (4-9-2, 14 points) and the San Jose Earthquakes (10-3-2, 32 points) at PayPal Park (10:30 p.m., Apple TV). This is the only scheduled meeting between the teams in 2026 and the first time the teams have met since 2024.

Here’s what you need to know ahead of tonight’s match.

History

Orlando City is 3-1-3 in the previous seven MLS meetings with the Quakes since the club joined Major League Soccer in 2015. The Lions got their only away win in the series in the last meeting and enter tonight 1-1-2 on the road against San Jose.

The teams last met on May 18, 2024, with Jack Lynn coming off the bench to score the game’s only goal. Lynn’s strike in the 89th minute broke the scoreless deadlock and lifted the Lions to a 1-0 victory.

The teams met in Orlando most recently way back on June 22, 2021, with the Lions beating the Quakes down, 5-0. Orlando got things started with an early penalty kick goal by Nani, followed by braces from Benji Michel and Daryl Dike to easily put the game away. The lasting memory from the game is Michel’s celebratory dance wearing a cowboy hat that came out of the stands.

Prior to that Orlando City romp, the last time the teams met was on Aug. 31, 2019 when the Lions got freight trained 3-0 at Avaya Stadium, giving the Quakes their first win in the series. San Jose’s offense came via a Chris Wondolowski brace and an early opening goal by Magnus Eriksson. Orlando looked flat and weary out of the gate.

The Lions were victorious in Exploria Stadium in the 2018 meeting on April 21, a 3-2 Orlando win. It was the first win in the series for either side after three straight draws. Chris Mueller, Sacha Kljestan, and Dom Dwyer gave the Lions a 3-0 lead before Florian Jungwirth pulled two back in the game’s late stages.

The Lions led all of the first three matches in the second half only to see San Jose pull level, with two of those tying goals coming late. In the 2017 meeting, Carlos Rivas finally broke the scoreless tie and gave Orlando City the lead in the 81st minute, but Wondolowski spoiled the Lions’ night with an equalizer two minutes later as the teams drew at Avaya Stadium, 1-1.

In 2016, the Lions were gut-punched in the 94th minute in an emotional match that ended in a 2-2 draw. It was the first home match following the Pulse nightclub tragedy and what appeared to be a storybook ending to a cathartic win turned sour on a last-gasp equalizer by Shea Salinas. Seb Hines — now the Orlando Pride’s head coach — opened the scoring for Orlando, only to see Chad Barrett tie it up. Julio Baptista restored the lead in stoppage time, but Salinas ruined everything.

The two teams also drew in the first meeting, a 1-1 affair at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, with the Lions down to 10 men after Brek Shea was sent off in the first half. Kaká and Wondolowski each scored from the penalty spot four minutes apart in that initial meeting.

Overview

The teams meet tonight to get their post-World Cup portion of the season started. Orlando City has been terrible on the road all season long, keeping only one MLS opponent under two goals all year away from home and allowing five goals twice (at New York City FC and Nashville) and six goals twice (at LAFC and in the team’s most recent match away at FC Cincinnati just before the break).

Orlando City is a putrid 1-6-1 on the road this season, and now the Lions must face the Western Conference co-leaders tonight before coming home to face Supporters’ Shield-leading Nashville SC at home on Saturday. They’ll have to play at least tonight’s game without Martin Ojeda, who is out with a thigh injury sustained some time between his first-half goal a week ago in a friendly against FC Dallas and the time the availability report dropped on Tuesday.

But it isn’t all bad news for the Lions, who should have both Antoine Griezmann and Dike in the lineup. Griezmann was the club’s highly prized and widely publicized summer Designated Player signing, while Dike’s return to Orlando came together more recently, following his departure from West Bromwich Albion. They’ll help the club’s offense, but the attack hasn’t been the issue in 2026 — it’s been the historically porous defense, which is on pace to shatter the MLS record for goals conceded.

Meanwhile, San Jose is one of the first half of the season’s biggest surprises, as the Quakes have been outstanding in 2026. Scoring 34 goals while conceding just 15, San Jose is among the league leaders in goals scored (tied for third), goals conceded (third), and goal differential (+19, third).

The Earthquakes are 4-2-1 at home and are coming off a 3-1 road win at Portland in their last game prior to the World Cup break. San Jose boasts Golden Boot challenger Preston Judd, who leads the Quakes with 11 goals, adding two assists in his 15 appearances. Ousseni Bouda has chipped in five goals and three assists. Niko Tsakiris leads the team with seven assists to go along with his two goals, but he’s still recovering from a lower body injury and is not available tonight. However, the arrival of Timo Werner (four goals and five assists in just seven games) has truly elevated Bruce Arena’s Quakes, and he’ll need to be one of the main focal points for the Orlando defense.

To have any shot at taking something from this game, the Lions will need to play better road defense than they have all season. Orlando can score goals, but with Ojeda out, Griezmann will need to adapt quickly, and someone other than the team’s leading scorer will need to find the net.

The Lions will play without Ojeda (thigh), Joran Gerbet (knee), Nolan Miller (knee), Colin Guske (international duty), and Clovis Archage (international duty). In addition, Marco Pasalic may or may not have returned to the team after the World Cup. He was not in training Monday, although interim head coach Martin Perelman said he expected the Croatian back soon. The Earthquakes will be without Nonso Adimabua (lower body), former Lion Earl Edwards Jr. (lower body), DeJuan Jones (lower body), and Tsakiris (you guessed it, lower body…come on, San Jose).

Match Content

Official Lineups:

Orlando City (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Maxime Crepeau.

Defenders: Adrian Marin, David Brekalo, Robin Jansson, Griffin Dorsey.

Midfielders: Ivan Angulo, Braian Ojeda, Eduard Atuesta, Tiago.

Forwards: Justin Ellis, Antoine Griezmann.

Bench: Javier Otero, Bernardo Rhein, Tahir Reid-Brown, Zakaria Taifi, Iago, Wilder Cartagena, Luis Otavio, Harvey Sarajian, Tyrese Spicer

San Jose Earthquakes (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Angus Gunn.

Defenders: Jamar Ricketts, Reid Roberts, Daniel Munie, Benjamin Kikanovic.

Defensive Midfielders: Beau Lerouox, Ronaldo Vieira.

Attacking Midfielders: Timo Werner, Nick Fernandez, Ousseni Bouda.

Forwards: Preston Judd.

Bench: Jonathan Gonzalez, Dave Romney, Paul Marie, Jack Skahan, Jack Jasinski, Ian Harkes, Francesco Montali, Max Floriani, Darius Johnson.

Referees

REF: Elijio Arreguin.
AR1: Adam Wienckowski.
AR2: Mike Nickerson.
4TH: Timothy Ford.
VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero.
AVAR: TJ Zablocki.

How to Watch

Match Time: 10:30 p.m.

Venue: PayPal Park — San Jose, CA.

TV/Live Stream: Apple TV.

Radio: AM 810 FOX Sports Radio Orlando (English), Mega 97.1 FM (Spanish), Nossa Rádio 1160 AM-WRLZ (Portuguese).

Social Media: For rapid reaction and live updates, follow us on Bluesky Social at @themaneland.bsky.social or follow Orlando City’s official Twitter (@OrlandoCitySC) or Bluesky (@OrlandoCitySC) feed.

Enjoy the match. Go City!

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