Coming into the final match of the group stages, and off a heartbreaking late match loss to Jamaica, head coach Benito Floro and Canada would need a focused mindset and intent to attack hosting Costa Rica at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada.
Knowing the task in front of them, after Jamaica defeated El Salvador 1-0, Floro named four changes to the line-up that played against Jamaica. Karl Quimette and Jonathan Osorio replacing Nik Ledgerwood and Samuel Piette at right fullback and midfield respectively due to card accumulation, Maxim Tissot in place of Tesho Akindele as a wide option to provide crosses and Marcus Haber for Cyle Larin as a big target.
The Opening 45
The match began with heavy rain for both teams to battle through, forcing a change of boots to deal with a slick pitch. Opening moments started with Costa Rica pushing the play wide, using both wings in order to stretch the Canadian defence. Canada for its part were seeking to press the action, rushing the Costa Rican players while in possession of the ball and then looking for its target up front in Haber.
Canada had the better of the early efforts on goal, with Julian de Guzman and Tosaint Ricketts getting headers on target. The Ticos has their fair share of testing chances on goalkeeper Kenny Stamatopoulos, earning corner kicks and forcing Canada into emergency defending and last ditch challenges.
The first real opportunity on goal came to Costa Rica in the 19th minute, the shot from forward David Ramirez going just wide of the diving keeper. Canada nearly answered on the other end moments later, a set piece cross into the box from Tissot at the 21 minute mark eluding the rushing players for a final touch. As Canada began to find its feet they continued to knock on the door, Haber missing two good shots from point blank range in the 25th minute with a save from Esteban Alvarado and then a block from a Costa Rican defender.
Both teams would look to spring quick attacks through winning the ball in midfield, Costa Rica through up tempo passing and movement and Canada via through balls and balls over the top of the defence. The Central American side would have a spell towards the end of the half, leading to a header that went over the bar in the 42nd minute. They would get another chance in added time: a shot from Bryan Ruiz in a very dangerous position parried away from Stamatopoulos and out of play. While the game would settle down to a more manageable pace for both sides, the half would still end scoreless and leave it all to play for under monsoon like conditions.
The Second Half
Coming out of the break, Costa Rica would get the first chance in the 50th minute through Cristian Gamboa putting a shot on goal after getting by two defenders only for the Canadian keeper to come up with a diving stop.
The Ticos would get another chance in the 56th minute, a tame shot making for an easy save. Costa Rica would continue to get chances on goal, a shot from just outside the box from Johan Venegas in the 63rd minute leading to Stamatopoulos going full stretch to keep the score 0-0.
Canada thought they had finally made a breakthrough in the 69th minute converting a scramble in the box from a set piece, but it was ruled to be offside. Canada would have another chance to open the scoring in the 82nd minute, Alvarado’s mishandling of the ball leading to a shot that was cleared off the line.
Canada would get a few more opportunities in the dying moments of the match, but the match would end 0-0 and see Canada exit the tournament as a result.
Man of the Match
Maxim Tissot
Although Canada would be left scoreless for the third match in a row, it was a much more positive attacking effort this time out and the decision to start Maxim Tissot turned out a positive one for Benito Floro. The Montreal Impact winger showed he could be a threat delivering set pieces, linking up with fullback Marcel de Jong on the left wing and an option on counters. He was one of the three player substituted, but while he was on the pitch he was one of the standouts and offered Canada something it was lacking from the line-up.
Canada Line-up
22 Kenny Stamatopoulos
20 Karl Ouimette
12 Dejan Jakovic
5 David Edgar
17 Marcel de Jong
6 Julian de Guzman (C)
15 Adam Straith
13 Jonathan Osorio
9 Tosaint Ricketts
16 Maxim Tissot
11 Marcus Haber
Substitutions: Cyle Larin for Maxim Tissot (68’); Russel Teibert for Tosaint Ricketts (68’); Andre Hainault for Jonathan Osorio (71’).
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