SANDY, Utah – Canada know that they’re up against a giant with a place in 2016 Olympics on the line. But for every Goliath, all it takes is one David.
The Canadian U-23s are one step away from making it to Rio de Janeiro, they just have to get through Mexico first in Saturday’s CONCACAF Olympic qualification tournament (6 pm ET). There’s no doubt they face a tall task, but head coach Benito Floro’s team is ready to give it their best shot.
“We are aware that Mexico has a superior team, in experience and quality,” Floro said in his pregame press conference. “But in the game of football, there are many alternatives for a small team to defeat a bigger team. That’s our obligation, to believe in this possibility knowing fully that it’s going to be difficult, but our players are enthusiastic and eager to try, so we’ll see.”
Canada opened the tournament with a 3-1 loss to the United States, who will take on Honduras in the day’s opening match. Since then, they posted a 3-1 victory vs. Panama and drew 2-2 with Cuba. Mexico, meanwhile, won all three of their group-stage games, scoring seven goals and allowing only one.
Though there were concerns that Canada’s attack would lack punch without Orlando City forward Cyle Larin, who wasn’t released for the tournament, winger Michael Petrasso has been a bright spot, scoring a goal in each of their three games.
“I want to see a good performance, good behavior, good intention from our most important players,” Floro said. “We have to play smart in the attack. This is right way to do that, even if we see a goal, and defensively it’s the same. We want to play with personality. We know that the level of Mexico is better than us, but it doesn’t matter, we need to play.”
"It is a big opportunity for us and the whole Canada Soccer nation," captain Samuel Piette told CBC. "We are just one win away from a spot at the Rio 2016 Olympics."
