Costa Rica will look to clinch a spot in the World Cup next summer when it takes on Jamaica in qualifiers on Tuesday.
Costa Rica currently sits atop the CONCACAF table with 14 points after defeating the United States 3-1 on Friday. The top three teams in the confederation automatically book passage to the finals next summer in Brazil while the fourth place team takes on New Zealand in a two-game playoff.
There are a number of scenarios that would help Costa Rica clinch. The first would be for the team to win against Jamaica. A victory gives the Ticos 17 points; fourth place Mexico can get a maximum of 17 points. A draw would only get them through if the United States defeated Mexico on Tuesday as Costa Rica would have 15 points and Mexico would only be able to get a maximum of 14.
This match represents a must-win situation for Jamaica. With only three points, the team can only garner a maximum of 12 points if it wins its final three games. A loss here would leave them in a dire situation as they would need Panama and Mexico to lose their final three games to have any hopes of finishing fourth. A Honduran victory would also eliminate Jamaica from a top three finish. A Jamaican loss combined with a Mexican win would also eliminate Jamaica from qualification altogether.
Prediction: Costa Rica should dominate this game despite being on the road; they beat Jamaica 2-0 last time they met in San Jose and will replicate the effort on Tuesday.
Start Time: 7 p.m. EST
Watch Live Stream HERE (Free for certain Cable Subscribers).
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