U.S. Battles Jamaica in a Quarterfinal Match

Soccer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup has reached the knockout stage, meaning that the United States must defeat Jamaica today or forget about supplanting Mexico as the region’s champion.

The same goes for Costa Rica, which plays Honduras in the first half of a quarterfinal doubleheader at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass.

The Americans, Gold Cup winners in 1991 and 2002, will meet a determined but tired opponent in Jamaica. The Reggae Boyz started the 12-nation tournament in Los Angeles, moved to Houston and then, because they lost, 1-0, to Mexico in Texas on Wednesday night, were forced to move farther east still.

The loss ended a 16-game unbeaten streak for Jamaica under Coach Wendell Downswell.

Coach Bruce Arena’s U.S. squad, which won its final first-round game, 3-1, over Costa Rica on Tuesday night in Foxboro, has had an extra day’s rest, which also could influence the outcome. The last time the teams met, in a 2006 World Cup qualifier in November, the game ended in a 1-1 tie.

Each team will have a defender suspended because of yellow cards picked up in the first round. The U.S., which is 8-0-7 all-time against the Reggae Boyz, will be without Frankie Hejduk, while Jamaica will be minus Omar Daley. Ankle injuries could hurt the U.S. cause. Winger Brad Davis is out after spraining his left ankle and defenders Eddie Pope and Tony Sanneh are questionable because of ankle pains.

Sunday’s quarterfinal doubleheader in Houston pits defending Gold Cup champion Mexico against Colombia and South Africa against Panama.

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TODAY’S GAMES

Costa Rica vs. Honduras

10 a.m. PDT, Ch. 34

Costa Rica has not lived up to its billing as a likely World Cup qualifier, but Coach Alexander Guimaraes’ squad should have enough to edge the lively Hondurans.

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U.S. vs. Jamaica

1 p.m. PDT, Ch. 46

The Americans’ defense will be tested by Jamaica’s speed and power, but goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who is 13-3-2 with 12 shutouts in Gold Cup play, should keep it tight.