Considered the CONCACAF favorites less than two years ago, Canada is looking to put aside major internal conflicts to save its rising star when it faces Trinidad and Tobago in a Copa América playoff on Saturday in Texas.
Both nations, along with Honduras and Panama, fell one stop short of the threshold needed for the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals to qualify for this summer’s massive tournament, meaning a tiebreaker is needed to determine the two. final participants. Canada was upset by Jamaica last fall, blowing a 3-0 aggregate lead with just 30 minutes left, suffering elimination at the hands of the away goal rule.
With the news that the Canadian federation is facing major financial problems and the team forced to leave behind a host of veteran players, there is a lot to worry about even as they reached new heights in the World Cup qualifiers not two years ago.
Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago were knocked out of the Nations League quarter-finals by the United States, but will take solace in their narrow home victory in the second leg of the showdown, which was not enough to overturn a sizeable aggregate deficit. , but it will give them the confidence to produce the performance necessary to make it to this summer’s showcase.
Only one of these teams will be able to move forward, while the other will be forced to watch as the world’s best battle under the bright lights of their own backyard.
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Canada vs Trinidad and Tobago live stream, TV channel
| television channel | Transmission | |
| USA | CBS Sports Network | Fubo United States, Supreme+ |
| Canada | afootball | Canada |
The vital CONCACAF showdown between Canada and Trinidad and Tobago to determine who qualifies for this summer’s Copa América will be televised in both the United States and Canada.
In the United States, the match can be seen on CBS Sports Network, which is available to stream on Fubo United States, which offers a FREE trial for new users. It can also be transmitted in Supreme+ also through CBS Sports with a FREE trial also offered to new subscribers.
In Canada, fans can watch their team go all out on OneSoccer, which is also available to stream on Canada.
What time is the start of Canada vs Trinidad and Tobago?
This Copa América playoff begins from Toyota Stadium on Saturday, March 23 at 3 pm local time in Frisco, Texas, where both playoff games will take place.
Here’s how that time translates across all North American time zones:
| Date | Start time | |
| Eastern Time | Saturday, March 23 | 4 p.m. |
| core time | Saturday, March 23 | 3 p.m. |
| mountain time | Saturday, March 23 | 2 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Saturday, March 23 | 13:00 |
The matchup is the first of two playoffs to take the field, and the game between Costa Rica and Honduras will begin at 7:15 pm local time to determine the other Copa América qualifier.
Canada vs Trinidad and Tobago lineups and team news
For the first time in years, the veteran goalkeeper Milan Borjan was not called up to Team Canada, meaning the job now belongs to Maxime Crepeau in the immediate future. Crepeau has not kept a clean sheet in three starts for his new club, Portland Timbers, but is by far the best option to replace the 36-year-old veteran, who, although declining on the pitch, is a great presence to fill the box. room.
Canada’s defense is devoid of talent for this important game. Despite being close to recovering from a knee injury, the defender Sam Adekugbe was not called and Richie Laryea He will also be out, that he will undergo surgery on his hamstring and will be out for three months. 37 years Steven Vitoria He suffered the same fate as Borjan, and was left wondering what the end of his international career could be.
In midfield, captain jonathan osorio He is another absentee, forced to withdraw from the squad due to a hip injury. The attacking trio Alfonso Davies, jonathan davidand Cyle Larin They are all available and should play an important role in this match.
Canada Projected Starting Lineup (3-4-3): Crepeau (GK) – Johnston, Miller, Cornelius – Buchanan, Eustaquio, Piette, Davies – David, Larin, Shaffelberg.
Trinidad and Tobago brings back all the starters from the upset win over the United States last time out, and everyone should be involved here. Denzil Smith He was excellent in goal in only his third international match, earning the start over the more experienced player. Adrian Foncette.
David Aubrey and Alvin Jones They are the veteran presence along the backline, with David earning 74 caps and Jones scoring the all-important winning goal against the United States last fall before holding firm to protect the lead over the final half-hour.
long time veterans Joevin Jones and Kevin Molino They have been phased out of the national team setup as both are currently out of contract with the club.
Trinidad and Tobago Projected Starting Lineup (3-5-2): D. Smith (GK) – David, J. GarcĂa, A. Jones – S. GĂłmez, Rampersad, D. Phillips, GarcĂa, Raymond – N. James, R. Moore.
Canada vs Trinidad and Tobago Prediction, Betting Odds and Lines
- Lean Money Line: Trinidad and Tobago (+1450 at BetMGM)
- Score prediction: Canada 1-2 Trinidad and Tobago
The vibe right now around the Canadian national team is dire, with the federation seemingly doing everything it can to undermine on-field performance with constant mismanagement. While the players did their best to put those distractions aside, they spilled over onto the field: In 2023, Canada suffered disappointing results, including home losses to the United States and Jamaica and Gold Cup ties with Guadeloupe and Guatemala.
Qualifying for the 2022 World Cup brought hope for a brighter future, but Canada appears to have squandered that promise in record time, and missing the Copa America entirely would be the catalyst for necessary reform within the Canadian federation.
Trinidad and Tobago are fully capable of delivering that fatal blow and present unmistakable courage in such remote situations. While the Soca Warriors are often not at their best outside of their Couva stronghold, this is a team capable of punishing the opposition’s mistakes, as they did against the United States last fall after the stupid dismissal of Sergino Dest.
| BetMGM (USA) |
|
| Canada wins | -1000 |
| Draw | +625 |
| Trinidad and Tobago victory | +1450 |
| Both teams to note Y/N |
+190 / -275 |
| Below 2.5 goals |
-190 / +135 |
