Listen to coach Nick Dasovic

Canada's men's U-23 team finished third at the 2008 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualification Tournament in Nashville, TN. Canada defeated Guatemala on penalties on the final afternoon for the third-place finish. Honduras, meanwhile, defeated the United States to win the championship trophy. Only the top-two teams, Honduras and the United States, qualified for the 2008 Men's Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing.

“I said that if this is the last time you put on your country's shirt, you better put it on with a little bit of pride and play like it is your last game,” says coach Nick Dasovic. “When you play for your country, it should be like that every game. I think the players played like that today and I was very, very pleased with their effort.”

Canada opened the 2008 tournament in Carson, CA with a draw (1:1 against México), a loss (1:2 to Haiti) and win (5:0 over Guatemala) in Group B action. After losing 0:3 to the United States in the semi-final in Nashville, Canada played to a 0:0 draw with Guatemala in the match for third place. Canada then scored on all five of its penalties to win third place in the eight-team tournament.

Despite their limited time together, the Canadian players bonded very well in California. The team's training camp opened on 1 March and the final players did not arrive until just days before the opener against México. Right from the get-go, though, Canada showed it was one of the top teams in the tournament. Will Johnson scored Canada's first goal just three minutes into the opener and the team held on for a 1:1 draw with México despite tired legs in the second half.

After a disappointing 1:2 loss to Haiti in the second game, Canada stormed back for an unbelievable 5:0 victory over Guatemala on 16 March. The Canadian victory, despite México's improbable 5:1 victory over Haiti later that night, was good enough to get Canada into the second round.

In the semi-final match, Canada lost 0:3 to the United States, clearly the top team in the tournament. Canada had a few chances, but could not defeat their southern rivals. The American victory ended Canada's 2008 Olympic hopes.

On the final day, Canada rebounded to defeat Guatemala for a second time in the tournament. Despite a scoreless draw after 90 minutes, Canada scored five times on penalties. Goalkeeper David Monsalve made the one save necessary for a Canuck victory.

Will Johnson, who scored three goals in three matches, was the lone Canadian named to the CONCACAF All-Tournament Team. With the exception of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic who was called back to Portsmouth after the first game, Canada's 19 other players all featured in at least one game. 

For Canada, it was the country's best finish at a men's Olympic Qualification event since 1996 when the CONCACAF tournament was held in Edmonton, AB. That year, Canada finished second in CONCACAF behind México. The United States did not compete as they had already qualified as Atlanta 1996 hosts. Unfortunately, Canada was then eliminated after it lost a two-match playoff with OFC champions Australia.

Canada has still not participated in an Olympic football tournament since 1984 in Los Angeles. Canada's women's national team, though, still has a chance to end that streak next month in Ciudad Juarez, México. Canada is one of six teams competing for two spots available from the 2008 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualification Tournament from 2-12 April.