Mexico and Canada will take to the pitch for their second CONCACAF Gold Cup match this week as both teams look to right their respective ships.
El Tri dropped a 2-1 decision to Panama while the Canadian nationals surrendered a stoppage time goal in a 1-0 loss to French overseas representative Martinique. A match that will certainly have tournament advancement implications, expect Seattle's CenturyLink Field to host a good one.
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When and Where to Watch Gold Cup Match
Mexico and Canada will meet at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington on Thursday, July 11. The match will begin at 11:00pm, EST with television coverage available through the FOX Soccer Channel.
An online live stream will also be provided by FOX Soccer 2 Go.
Match Preview
Canada will look to pull the upset Thursday night against El Tri and although there is a certain level of talent on the Canadian roster, the Canucks will enter this match somewhat short on the roster.
According to MLSsoccer.com, Canada will be without forward Simeon Jackson for the upcoming tilt. The 26-year-old was given permission to handle club matters heading into next season and already struggling to find capable offensive players, the absence of Jackson will not help Canada's chances.
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If that wasn't bad enough coming off the 1-0 defeat to Martinique, head coach Colin Miller and company will also be without Randy Edwini-Bonsu and Will Johnson. Johnson is battling an illness while Edwini-Bonsu departed the national team due to a knee injury.
Player departures and injuries should only help the Mexican nationals in their quest to record their first win of the tournament. With only 2 wins in their last 13 international contests, El Tri is surely in need of a positive and head coach Jose Manuel de la Torre won't care where it comes from.
Marco Fabian scored the lone goal for Mexico in the disappointing 2-1 loss to Panama on July 7 and moving forward, Fabian and a slew of other players will certainly need to elevate their games if El Tri is to contend for a seventh Gold Cup championship.
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Raul Jimenez will need to elevate his performance starting in the match against Canada. Canada had noticeable struggles slowing down the Martinique offensive attack at times and if he's able to use his tremendous speed, Jimenez should be able to penetrate the defense and at least set up multiple scoring chances.
De la Torre may also need a victory in the upcoming contest to get a stronger hold on his job security since many followers of the Mexican national squad are beginning to lose interest in their lead man, especially when you consider El Tri's well-documented struggles on all levels.
Mexico currently sits 5 points behind the United States for the top spot in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying hexagonal and if they're unable to find cohesiveness once World Cup qualifying continues, El Tri could be in a world of trouble as the 2014 World Cup approaches.
A win over a depleted Canadian team would certainly be a good start to getting back to top form.
Wrap Up
Be sure to catch all the Gold Cup action between El Tri and Canada on Thursday, July 11 at 11:00pm, EST. Television coverage will be provided by the FOX Soccer Channel with an online live stream available through FOX Soccer 2 Go.
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