TORONTO, Canada – Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz have confirmed their place in the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup with one game to spare.

Jamaica, who lead Group B with four points, were guaranteed a place following the completion of Group A. In that zone, the USA finished on top with seven points after playing to a 1-1 draw with Panama at Sporting Park Kansas on Monday.

In the other game of the double-header, Haiti booked their spot as runners-up with four points after edging Honduras 1-0.

Panama finished third in the group on three points, the same number of points as Honduras, but Panama have a better goal difference and still have a mathematical chance of advancing as one of the best third-place teams.

For that to happen, Guatemala would have to lose to Cuba in Group C.

As it stands, if Jamaica fail to gain a point in their final game against El Salvador at the BMO Field in Toronto today at 6:00 pm (5:00 pm Jamaica time), the Boyz could be on a collision course with the USA.

Canada and Costa Rica will contest the other group game at 8:30 pm (7:30 pm Jamaica time).

By winning the group, Jamaica would meet Haiti in the quarter-finals. And should they finish second, they would be pitted against the Group C runners-up, which would either be Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago or Mexico.

But should Jamaica finish third, they could also possibly face the Group C winners.

Going into Group C’s final set of matches on Wednesday at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, the Soca Warriors lead with six points, while Mexico follow on four. Guatemala are third with one point in third and Cuba are pointless at the bottom.

Trinidad will face Mexico for group honours, while Guatemala will try to snatch one of the best third-place spots with a win over hapless Cuba.

Sean Williams