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Canada vs. Panama
2:30 PM Eastern
Sporting Park, Kansas City
TLN, CanadaSoccer.Com
The Headliner: A Must-Win Game
If Canada win today there is a very good chance they will be on to the next round at the CONCACAF Olympic qualifiers. They won't be where they want to be in terms of likely having to play Mexico in the semi-final round, but they will at least have one foot in those semi-finals.
Panama and Cuba drew in their first match, leaving the door wide open for Canada to take control of the second spot in the group. This makes the match a must win, as a loss would all but end Canada's chances of advancing to the next round.
Canada didn't have the worst performance in a 3-1 loss agains the United States. But defensively the team needs to much better as they failed to stay composed, falling behind in the first minute of the match. It was a goal they would never truly recover from even if they battled back and looked the equal to the States for much of the second half.
The most promising part of Canada's past game was on the wings, where they caused all kinds of problems for the United States. Caleb Clarke had a strong game, but it was Michael Petrasso who who stole the show. The Canadian left-winger had a goal and otherwise was a huge handful for the United States.
Canada will be looking to both of these players, with the edition of Anthony Jackson-Hamel to ignite the Canadian offence which has come close, but has failed to score with frequency since coming into camp
The Lineup:
Canada: Crepeau, Gagnon-Lapare, Gasparotto, Thomas, Grant, Chapman, Piette, Mannella, Petrasso, Clarke, Jackson-Hamel
The only change in the Canadian lineup from the last match is Toronto FC's Jay Chapman who will be drawing in to the starting 11 after coming on as a substitute at the end of the last match. He will replace Ottawa Fury midfielder Mauro Eustaquio.