Canada preparing for must-win match against Panama

Head Coach Stephen Hart now knows that Tuesday’s match against Panama in Kansas City, KS (18.00 local kick-off) is a must-win situation in order to ensure that Canada advances at the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup.



“Our approach to the game is very simple,” Hart said. “We have to win.”



The match will be broadcast live in Canada on Rogers Sportsnet One (19.00 ET / 16.00 PT), as well as streamed online at Sportsnet.ca and GoldCup.org. Canadian fans can track the team’s build-up to Tuesday’s game by following video coverage at CanadaSoccerTV and Twitter updates at CanadaSoccerEN.



Following Guatemala’s 4:0 defeat of Grenada in Group B on Monday evening, it is now clear that only a win for Canada will guarantee that the team makes it through to the quarterfinals.



“In order to get to the next round you need to win,” said Hart.



“Sometimes when your back is against the wall you play the best football. In order for us to progress that is what’s required. It’s not the first time we’ve been in this position and I’m sure it’s not going to be the last.”



Canada has not faced Panama since it defeated the Central American side 1:0 in Winnipeg in 2000.



Panama has won four consecutive matches coming into Tuesday night’s fixture, including a surprise 2:1 defeat of USA on American soil on Saturday in Tampa, FL.



Canada trained Monday morning at Sporting Kansas City’s training facility in Swope Park, MO.



Tuesday night’s match will be played at the recently-opened Livestrong Sporting Park. It will be the first international match to take place at the new stadium.