Canada impresses in 1:2 loss to Mexico in Concacaf Gold Cup Semifinal

Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team put in an incredible performance against reigning Gold Cup champions Mexico falling 1:2 in the Semifinal of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. Hector Herrera’s goal in the 90’+9 came after Tajon Buchanan scored the second-half equalizer (57’). Mexico’s Orbelin Pineda scored a PK in first-half injury time (45’).

“It has been a special tournament for these guys and there is a deep connection that runs through this group and that moment is going to set them up for the future and that is a foundation laid,” said John Herdman, Men’s National Team Head Coach. “There was a belief that they were going to give everything out there for each other and they did, and I am absolutely proud. We played with no fear tonight.  We had a clear game plan and that spirit and fight for each other. When it is there, it is special and I think you saw that tonight and that Canadian grit and resilience, but, also more and that is what we wanted to show tonight, that we can play, and we can go toe to toe with the best in Concacaf.

Through five matches at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, Canada had three wins and two losses with 11 goals scored and one clean sheet. Stephen Eustáquio and Cyle Larin (injured) lead Canada with three goals each while Junior Hoilett had two goals and Tajon Buchanan, Theo Corbeanu, and Jonathan Osorio had one goal each. Eustáquio was just the fourth Canadian to score in three different matches at a Concacaf Gold Cup tournament.

“The only message we wanted to send was to our fans.  We have always said that we have to build trust in our fans to fill our stadiums and help us get to Qatar and if we get there, we change this country forever in football,” said Herdman. “As long as the fans are with us and feeling it with us, we need them on the journey and that’s what this tournament was about, to tell those people that have followed us for years and might have lost faith and trust that it’s time and we are coming, and we need you.”

Canada came out with belief. Tajon Buchanan caused problems early despite losing a boot in the Mexican box in the 4’. Just two minutes later, Buchanan showed his defensive qualities going shoulder-to-shoulder to force a turnover.  Centrebacks Kamal Miller and Doneil Henry defended well and were able to clear the pressure in front of goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau. Miller’s clearing pass in the 12’ lead to a chance for Laryea at the other end. Just a few minutes later, Doneil Henry made a vital block in the 16’ on the six-yard line. Henry’s clearing ball to Junior Hoilett a minute later created Canada’s best chance through 20 minutes. Hoilett played the ball over the top to Tesho Akindele in the 17’. Akindele laid off for Eustaquio whose shot went just over the bar. Buchanan switched wings in the 25’ popping up on the right to cause problems for Mexico as he had throughout the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup.

In the 26’ minute, Jonathan Osorio got behind the Mexican backline along the goal line, keeping the ball in and playing Akindele in front of goal, but the shot was blocked, and Mexico cleared. Alistair Johnston worked his way back into position inside the box to allow Crepeau to come off his line and make a stop in the 27’. Henry’s challenge in the box in the 44’ caused Referee Daneon Parchment to have a look at the VAR monitor and Pineda stepped up in the 45’+1 to convert to give Mexico the 1:0 lead heading into halftime.

Canada started the second half pressing. Buchanan and Eustaquio each had turns causing problems for Mexico’s backline in the opening 10 minutes. The best chance came to Buchanan in the 52’ after Eustaquio played him into the area. Buchanan’s turn took him into pressure though and Mexico cleared. Buchanan again popped up wide left forcing his way toward the box and being taken down for a free kick just outside in the 53’. In the 57’, Buchanan could not be stopped, finding a ton of space on the wing on a long ball from Kaye. Buchanan brought the ball down, stormed into the box, took a touch to his right, and fired home into the side netting behind Mexican goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera. Canada were called for a second penalty in the 63’ as Kaye was whistled for a foul and VAR determined it to be inside the area.

Maxime Crépeau made a vital save in the 66’ stopping the PK taken by Carlos Salcedo and keeping the game level. Second-half substitute Theo Corbeanu came close in the 77’ trying to bend a shot around Talavera but it went just wide. After a delay for protocols related to a chant, an additional seven minutes were signaled by the fourth official. Crépeau again came up big four minutes into injury time with a goal line save on a headed attempt. However, at 90’ +9 Hector Herrera finished Canada’s chance at a first Gold Cup Final since 2000.

“I think we had great performances in all our games and for large portions of those games, we were the better team and we’re really proud and really excited for what the future has in store for us,” said Jonathan Osorio. “With this Mexican team, they know now that we’re not scared of them, we’re not scared of anybody. We’re ready to take the next step and all my brothers, they’re all committed to this. We are brothers and we fight for each other and we all want to make history together, and we showed that today.”

Canada’s starting XI featured Maxime Crépeau in goal, Alistair Johnston at right back, Doneil Henry at centre back, Kamal Miller at left back, and Tajon Buchanan, Richie Laryea, Stephen Eustáquio, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Jonathan Osorio, Junior Hoilett and Tesho Akindele from the midfield up through to the attack. Herdman replaced Akindele with Theo Corbeanu (69’) and Kaye with Liam Fraser (78’).

CANADA SOCCER’S MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM PROGRAM:

Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team are two-time Concacaf champions, previously winning the 1985 Concacaf Championship and 2000 Concacaf Gold Cup. This year marks Canada’s 15th participation at the Concacaf Gold Cup since 1991. Along with their first-place finish in 2000, Canada reached the Semifinals in 2002 and 2007. Across the past five years from 2017 to 2021, Canada are one of only four nations that have finished top-six across all three Concacaf major tournaments: fifth place in Concacaf Nations League A and sixth place at both the 2017 and 2019 Concacaf Gold Cups.

Beyond the Concacaf Gold Cup, Canada will participate in the Concacaf Final Round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers from September 2021 to March 2022, with 14 matches against seven different nations (home and away against each opponent). Canada opens the Final Round in September with home matches against Honduras (Thursday 2 September) and El Salvador (Wednesday 8 September) as well as an away match against USA (Sunday 5 September in Nashville, TN, USA).