Sporting Kansas City defender Marcel de Jong started and played 90 minutes on Wednesday in Canada’s 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup opener against El Salvador at StubHub Center in Carson, California. The match ended 0-0 and both teams will enter the second round of the group stage in a four-way tie atop Group B.
Wednesday’s match was de Jong’s 34th for Canada and marked the fourth consecutive Gold Cup for the Sporting KC defender. De Jong has featured for the national team at the 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015 tournaments.
Canada entered the 2015 tournament with the lowest ranking among Group B teams. The North American side is currently ranked 103 in the latest FIFA rankings and has not won a Gold Cup tournament since 2000.
Canada’s best scoring opportunity on Wednesday came in the 36th minute through Orlando City rookie striker Cyle Larin. The 20-year-old MLS Rookie of the Year contender found himself one-on-one with El Salvador goalkeeper Derby Carillo late in the first half. Larin rounded the goalkeeper but skied his shot attempt into the StubHub Center crowd.
De Jong had his own shot attempt saved in the 59th minute. The 28-year-old defender received a pass from Samuel Piette on the left side of the penalty area and one-timed his attempt to the near post. Carillo reacted quickly to block the attempt and keep Canada off the board.
Canada will now travel along with its other Group B opponents – El Salvador, Jamaica and Costa Rica – to Houston for the second set of group stage matches. Canada will play Jamaica Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. CT in a match that will be broadcast nationally on FOX Sports 2, UniMas and Univision Deportes Network.
