The numbers favour the Canadian males in Saturday’s high-stakes Copa America qualifier with Trinidad and Tobago in Frisco, Texas.
Canada is ranked fiftieth on the earth, in comparison with No. 96 for Trinidad. And the Canadians’ all-time document in opposition to Trinidad is a commanding 7-2-2.
However the Soca Warriors have damaged Canadian soccer hearts earlier than.
On Sept. 3, 2000, earlier than a sun-drenched crowd at Port-of-Spain’s Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad thumped Canada 4-0 to finish its bid to qualify for the 2002 World Cup. Present Trinidad coach Angus Eve supplied the ultimate nail within the Canadian coffin, scoring within the ninetieth minute to finish the rout.
The World Cup qualifying elimination, with two video games remaining, got here simply six months after coach Holger Osieck’s crew shocked the soccer world by successful the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The sport was front-page information in Trinidad with followers packing the stadium hours upfront. It was a cultural occasion as a lot as a sporting one.
Twenty-four years later, Trinidad midfielder Andre Rampersad is hoping to set off extra celebrations again residence.
“If we will get by way of this sport on Saturday, it may be enormous for Trinidad and Tobago soccer, placing Trinidad and Tobago on the map,” he mentioned.
‘Guys are assured’
Rampersad, who’s captain of the CPL’s Halifax Wanderers, says a 2-1 win over america in November was a “huge confidence-booster” for his crew.
“Going into this sport in opposition to Canada, in fact now we all know we will truly beat a giant crew. So yeah, that is going to assist us, for certain.”
“Everybody is able to go. Everybody is happy,” he added. “I feel guys are assured.”
The Soca Warriors are led by midfielder Levi Garcia, who performs in Greece for AEK Athens.
“He is an awesome chief,” mentioned Rampersad.
He pointed to Garcia’s efficiency in a 6-0 loss to the U.S. final July in Charlotte on the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
“Despite the fact that we had been down and out, getting smashed, he was nonetheless making an attempt his greatest,” mentioned Rampersad. “And that is all you may ask in an awesome chief. He is undoubtedly proven that by instance.”
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Gacia additionally makes these round him shine. He set the desk for Rampersad’s lone nationwide crew purpose up to now, sending in a low cross that Rampersad flicked residence with a nifty backheel in a 4-1 loss to Jamaica that preceded the U.S. Gold Cup defeat.
Canada and Trinidad fell into Saturday’s play-in after shedding CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals to Jamaica and the U.S., respectively.
The Canadians had been upset by the Reggae Boyz in November on the away targets rule after blowing a 3-1 lead and seeing the two-legged sequence finish knotted at 4-4. Trinidad was crushed 4-2 by the U.S. regardless of successful the second leg on residence soil.
Qualification essential for Canadians
Making the Copa is taken into account essential for Canada, a precious alternative to play elite groups because it begins its buildup in the direction of the 2026 World Cup. Plus 2026 co-hosts Mexico and the U.S. are already certified as Nations League quarterfinal winners, as is No. 44 Panama.
No. 15 Mexico and the Thirteenth-ranked U.S. meet in Sunday’s Nations League closing in Arlington, Texas.
Saturday’s sport additionally comes with penalties for interim coach Mauro Biello, who’s a candidate for the everlasting job to succeed John Herdman as coach. Biello has chosen loads of youth in his 23-man roster, saying a “cultural reset” is required for the crew.
Canada gained 2-0 the final time it met Trinidad, in August 2012 in Lauderhilll, Fla. Canada was ranked 79th on the time whereas Trinidad was No. 80.
The Soca Warriors are coming off a pair of friendlies in opposition to Jamaica, shedding 1-0 on March 1 earlier than enjoying to a scoreless draw two days later.
Rampersad is joined on the Trinidad squad by CPL newcomer Reon Moore, a ahead who signed with Pacific FC earlier this month.
