COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Their dream of reaching the Rio 2016 Olympic games still alive, Canada's Under-23 national team will look to wrap up a semifinal berth in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship Tuesday night against Cuba (7 pm ET, NBC Universo).
A victory over Cuba would lock them into second semifinal spot from Group A and pair them against the winner of Group B, either favorites Mexico or Honduras. With so much on the line, Canada aren't planning to coast through the final group stage game.
“We can’t overlook [Cuba]. They’re a dangerous team,” said defender Luca Gasparotto. “If they win they go through so they’re going to be playing for everything.”
Facing a Cuban team recently buried 6-1 by the United States, the Canadians are beginning to find their offensive prowess at a good time.
Goals by Michael Petrasso, Skylar Thomas, and Ben Fisk carried the Canadians past Panama 3-1 on the second matchday. That performance followed a 3-1 loss to the United States in the opening match, in which Jordan Morris scored just 35 seconds after kickoff.
However, Canada finished the match with some decent possession but just not enough chances on the US net to mount much of a threat. That changed against Panama, as the commitment to getting out in front early was evident, a strategy they will likely seek to replicate against Cuba.
Canada head coach Benito Floro has already said he will return Montreal Impact Homegrown player Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare (pictured above) to the lineup against Cuba, believing the midfielder’s creativity in attack will be vital for the chance at more scoring opportunities.
"We need to make a big effort to control the game because we need to win the game," said Floro. "I think our players are in a good mentality to do that on Tuesday."
