HOUSTON, Texas – Jamaica and El Salvador battled to a goalless draw in their top-of-the-table clash in their 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup second round match inside BBVA Stadium here earlier today.

After a lacklustre first half where the Central Americans dominated possession and were more committed even without actually threatening Andre Blake’s goal, the Reggae Boyz might have been inspired by head coach Theodore Whitmore’s half-time lecture as they were much the better team, especially after double substitutions midway the second half.

The result ahead of the second game between Honduras and Curacao leaves Jamaica atop the Group C on goal difference over El Salvador on four points, with Honduras and Curacao pointless.

Jamaica defeated Honduras 3-2 after El Salvador had edged Curacao 1-0 in Monday’s opening round games inside Kingston’s National Stadium.

The four teams will depart Houston for Los Angeles, California, ahead of next Tuesday’s final round games inside Banc of California Stadium.

The top two teams from each of the four groups advance to the quarter-finals where the winners of Group C play the runners-up of Group D, while the winners of Group D oppose the runners-up of Group C.

Ian Burnett