Live Stream: Canada vs. Mexico Olympic Qualifying Semi-Final

Canada vs. Mexico 
6:00 PM Eastern  
Rio Tinto Stadium Utah, United States 
Telelatino, Canadasoccer.com

NOTE: The time of the game has been changed to 6:30 as there was a delay with the Canadian team getting to the stadium. As such the stream will start then per Canada Soccer.

The Headliner: Coming in confident

Confidence is not something that has been synonymous with Canadian Soccer in the past. A lack of confidence, pride even, is how a crucial World Cup qualifying game was lost 8-1 to Honduras in 2012.

There is little chance of that happening today, even if Canada are outclassed by Mexico. There is too much pride, too much confidence on this team to roll over and die. Only 90 minutes away from something they describe as a "dream", Canada aren't ready to quit just yet.

How far this mentality gets them remains to be seen, but it is crucial to what they do today. Truly believing that they can take down a heavily favoured Mexico side is what will help them accomplish this unlikely task.

It certainly won't be easy, at this level Mexico are one of the best in the world. They are the defending Olympic champions, and will fancy themselves to have a run at the Gold Medal again.

If Canada could pull off an upset it would be their biggest win on the men's side of the program likely since they won the 2000 Gold Cup.

Key to the match: Eliminate the errors

Overall, Canada have played well this tournament, even in their tournament opening 3-1 loss to the United States.

However it has been defensive errors, which started from the very first minute of the tournament, that have killed Canada so far this tournament. Against the United States the gifted an early goal and a penalty.

Against Panama they were lucky to not have had a tie game after letting the 10 man Panama squad score one and getting a lucky, even if it was correct, offside call to deny the second. Even the undermanned Cubans found holes in the Canadian defenders, twice in fact.

Canada have been working extensively on their defending in training, and if there is one thing Benito Floro has shown he is capable of with this Canadian team it is playing a strong defensive game. That will be crucial if Canada is to hold off a Mexican attack that will look for and exploit any weakness.

The Lineup:

Canada- Crepeau, Gagnon-Lapare, Thomas, Gasparotto, Farmer, Piette (C), Chapman, Eustaquio, Boakai, Fisk, Petrasso.

One criticism Floro has seen launched his way so far as a Canadian men's national team coach is his insistence on playing the same lineup game in and game out. So far this tournament that has been true, with a number of Canada's most talented players failing to see the field. 

Ahead of the biggest game in his tenure, however, Floro has thrown a curveball. While the Canadian defenders remain the same, he has reworked the team's midfield and attack.

Alongside Mauro Eustaquio, Jay Chapman of Toronto FC will get his second start of the tournament. Up front it will be a new look front three with Hanson Boakai and Ben Fisk drawing in while Michael Petrasso moves into the middle.