July 11, 2013, 11 pm ET
CenturyLink Field, Seattle
Two struggling teams meet in Seattle on Thursday, with Canada and Mexico each still looking for their first points of the 2013 Gold Cup.
After a shocking 1-0 defeat to Martinique on Sunday, Canada have to somehow pick up results against either Mexico or Panama if they want to keep their chances of advancing alive. Meanwhile, after their surprising loss to Panama, Mexico come up against a bare-bones Canadian team that has seen several players leave the squad for a number of reasons.
HISTORY
The last time Canada played Mexico in a Gold Cup, it was one of the few iconic moments in the Canadian men’s game. It was in the 2000 Gold Cup that Canada forced extra time with a 1-1 draw at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego before Richard Hastings’ golden goal (the only goal he’d ever score for Canada) stunned the Mexicans. Canada went onto win that Gold Cup, but little else since. Since then the countries have met four times, with Mexico winning twice and the teams playing to two draws.
CANADA OUTLOOK
As a result of that opening-game loss, the odds are against the Canucks and the situation is grim. Interim coach Colin Miller must somehow rally a squad that’s already lost two attacking players in Randy Edwini-Bonsu and Simeon Jackson due to injury and club responsibilities, while veteran Will Johnson is still battling the illness that limited his contributions in Sunday’s game.
READ: Canada look to exploit a Mexico team that have "their backs against the wall"
MEXICO OUTLOOK
Though not quite as bleak as Canada, El Tri come into this game in a pretty desperate situation with head coach José Manuel “Chepo” de la Torre’s tenuous grasp on his job growing weaker with each disappointing result for the team. While World Cup qualifying is the priority, a draw or a loss to a rebuilding Canadian program will only further exacerbate his situation.
After both teams dropped their opening matches on the weekend, expect desperate measures to be employed by both sides. However, don't expect Canada to come out as victors tonight.
The heavily depleted squad is now without captain Will Johnson, Randy Edwin-Bonsu, and top striking threat Simeon Jackson, who just recently made the jump to the Bundesliga. Russell Teibert is battling illness and is a gametime decision and without Nana Attakora and Dejan Jakovic available on the backline, interim skip Colin Miller will need to pull a rabbit out of his hat in order to get a result tonight.
