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| Greg Sutton |
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07/JUL/2005 -Canada and Costa Rica traded chances in an even first half. Costa
Rica had a flurry of chances in the 10th minute, hammering the Canadian net,
but goalie Greg Sutton made several key saves. Canada created several opportunities,
getting behind the Costa Rican defense, but was unable to score.
Costa Rica was able to open the scoring in the 30th minute after Canadian defender
Patrice Bernier was called for a handball in the penalty box. Jafet Soto stepped
up and successfully converted the penalty kick, powering a shot past goalie
Greg Sutton.
Canada, who won the Gold Cup in 2000, had their best chance of the first half
in the 44th minute. Dwayne De Rosario got behind the Costa Rican defense, but
his shot from the edge of the penalty box sailed high and wide. De Rosario,
who plays for the San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer, pressured the
Costa Rican defense on several instances, but was unable to beat goalie Jose
Francisco Porras.
The Costa Ricans nearly scored a second goal early in the second half when
Dany Fonseca flicked a free kick with a diving header in front of the net, but
his shot hit the cross bar.
Canada, despite playing a man down after captain Kevin McKenna was sent off
with his second yellow, had several chances towards the end of the game to equalize,
but was denied by Porras. Jim Brennan had the best opportunity to volley in
a goal in stoppage time, but his shot trickled wide.
The Costa Ricans, who are still alive in CONCACAF qualifying for World Cup
2006 in Germany, earned three points with the win.
Gold Cup Group B action will resume at Qwest Field in Seattle on Saturday,
July 9th, when Costa Rica will play Cuba at 11:30 am PT and Canada will face
the United States at 1:30 pm PT.
Miller Lite Man of the Match: Jafet Soto, Costa Rica
Scoring Summary:
CRC - Jafet Soto (PK), 30'
Canada - Greg Sutton, Adam Braz, Kevin McKenna, Patrice Bernier, Ali Gerba
( 7-Hume, 70th), Jim Brennan, Sandro Grande (17-Peters, 90th), Atiba Hutchinson,
Dwayne De Rosario, Josh Simpson, Patrick Leduc (8-Serioux, 83rd)
Costa Rica - Roy Miller, Michael Umana, Dany Fonseca, Jose Luis Lopez, Bryan
Ruiz, Jafet Soto (7-Rojas, 76th), Christian Bolanos, Victor Cordero, Harold
Wallace (14-Segura, 56th), Steven Bryce (20-Segueira, 85th), Jose Francisco
Porras
Misconduct Summary:
CAN - Atiba Hutchinson, 28'
CAN - Kevin McKenna, 30'
CAN - Ali Gerba, 53'
CRC - Geiner Segura, 57'
CRC - Bryan Ruiz, 63'
CAN - Jim Brennan, 66'
CAN - Kevin McKenna, 81' (2nd yellow, ejected)
CAN - Patrice Bernier, 90'
Referee: Peter Prendergast (JAM)
Referee's Assistants: Anthony Garwood (JAM), Joseph Taylor (TRI)
4th Official: Neal Brizan (TRI)
Attendance: 15, 831
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