SANDY, Utah—With an Olympic berth on the line,Canada had their chances Saturday but could not prevent powerhouse Mexico from earning their spot in Rio de Janeiro next summer with a 2-0 victory Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Mexico prevailed thanks to an early goal from Erick “Cubo” Torres of the Houston Dynamo and a second-half golazo from forward Hirving Lozano. Canada’s defense deteriorated as the match went on, and Mexico were content to calmly knock the ball around for 90 minutes, picking out their chances.
Torres' eventual game-winning goal opened the scoring just six minutes in.
Lozano put an initial cross into the box that was blocked back to him. Lozano put another one into the area, this time finding the head of Torres, who put it past Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau.
Mexico enjoyed 69 percent of the possession during the first half, and things did not change much in the second. Canada showed signs of fatigue, allowing Mexico far too much time in and around their box, and in the 57th minute, Lozano did the damage himself.
The Mexican forward blasted a perfect shot from just inside the box, a shot that went screaming into the upper corner of the far post to double the lead.
Lozano’s goal seemed to deflate Canada. The team rarely left their own half during the final 45 minute. In the 68th, substitute forward Caleb Clarke made an brilliant run all the way to the end line, fighting through a number of defenders – without a single additional Canadian player making it into the box for a pass.
Despite Mexico’s dominating performance, Canada had an opportunity to contest late.
In the 79th minute, Mexico was whistled for a handball in the box, offering Canada a chance to pull one back. Michael Petrasso, Canada’s best player of the tournament, stepped to the spot to try and spark the team. Yet Mexico goalkeeper Gibran Lajud did his best job to unnerve Petrasso, and it worked: Petrasso’s attempt was saved. The Mexican goalkeeper stood tall and denied the follow up as well.
Canada now face the United States in the third place match, aiming to keep their Olympic hopes alive: The winner of that match will travel to Brazil in March for a one-game playoff against Colombia to decide the final berth in next summer's tournament.
