Final Score: Guatemala 0-0 Canada
Goalscorers: N/A
2023 Concacaf Gold Cup
Match in a minute or less
The Canadian men’s national team is still searching for their first win at the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup after a 0-0 draw with Guatemala on Saturday night. In the heat of Houston, and in front of a lively and heavily pro-Guatemala crowd, Les Rouges were perhaps fortunate to escape with a point as they were outshot 11 to 9 on the night and outplayed for large stretches of the match. Transitional defending and marking on set pieces continued to be an issue as they struggled to cope with a determined if ultimately wasteful Guatemala attack. Canada’s lone chance of significance during the match came in the 75th minute when substitute Jacob Shaffelburg found himself alone in the box but could not beat Nicholas Hagen in the Guatemala net. As it stands, Canada currently sits third in the Group D table with just two points from their opening two matches. That makes the side’s finale against Cuba on Tuesday night a must-win affair if the Canadians want to advance.
Three Observations
Canada underwhelm again in scoreless draw against Guatemala
Just seven months after competing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup on the back of finishing top of the table in Concacaf qualifying, the Canadian men’s national team is treading water in a Gold Cup group that includes Guadeloupe, Guatemala and Cuba — a non-FIFA nation and two sides ranked 116th and 166th in the world respectively. Through two matchdays, they have looked like the third-best team in that group, and that is exactly where they sit after back-to-back draws chock-full of question marks at both ends of the field. One of the biggest surrounding this team coming into the tournament was who was going to provide the goals, and there have been little to no answers as Lucas Cavallini is the only Canadian player to have found the back of the net through 180 minutes. In the final third, Canada again lacked both ideas and, even more to the point, execution. There were not nearly enough runs to stretch the Guatemala backline, especially centrally, or brave runs into the box from midfield players. Even when those players were in good positions, service from out wide was stunningly poor, as Canada completed just four of 28 attempted crosses. Those goals need to start coming quickly for Canada, because at this point a multi-goal win against Cuba is the only way that they can guarantee advancement to the next round without needing any outside help. There is still a slim chance Canada could top Group D, but that would involve a draw between Guadeloupe and Guatemala on Tuesday, coupled with a win by four goals or more against Cuba. It is possible, but incredibly unlikely given the team’s lack of execution in the final third at this tournament thus far.
Set piece and transitional defending continue to be a major issue for Canada
After allowing two goals in their Gold Cup opener against Guadeloupe, Canada delivered another concerning defensive performance despite keeping a clean sheet against Guatemala in their second match of the tournament. Once again, Canada’s defensive deficiencies came as a result of disorganization and lack of communication at the back, which is truly showing in two key areas: transitional moments and set pieces. Canada were lucky not to be down 1-0 in the first half after Jose Ardon was allowed to run unopposed into the Canadian box on a corner kick and get on the end of a free header in the 33rd minute. Mercifully for Canada, he got his final action all wrong and his attempt skidded harmlessly wide. Nobody picked up the Guatemalan fullback, nor did veteran attacker Junior Hoilett show any urgency in keeping pace with him into the area. When defending in transition, Canada actually did a better job of getting players back behind the ball than they did against Guadeloupe in the opener. Canada’s speedy wingbacks, Richie Laryea and Liam Millar, in particular, provided important coverage. But even with the numbers, Canada rarely looked organized when they were defending a Guatemala team showing any sort of verticality. Every misplayed pass in the midfield Canada made, or ball over the top from Guatemala, seemed to trigger a scramble to get back into defensive shape. They were forced to take five yellow cards on the evening, all but one coming from ‘professional fouls’ to halt the opponent from breaking down the field quickly. Guatemala ultimately didn’t make them pay for their mistakes in the same way that Guadeloupe did in the tournament opener. Any team beyond the group stage round of this competition undoubtedly will, meaning Canada is almost out of time to get on the same page at the back before it costs them any sort of run at the Gold Cup.
Right side of Richie Laryea/Ali Ahmed continues to be Canada’s attacking catalyst
One of the clear bright spots in Canada’s Gold Cup opener against Guadeloupe was the instant chemistry displayed between right wingback Richie Laryea, and midfielder Ali Ahmed. That partnership impressed again down the right flank for Canada on Saturday night, providing the most consistent and effective offensive threat for the side during the match. When Canada had possession during the first half, they would look to overload the right side with Ahmed and Laryea combining well, and right-sided central defender Moise Bombito making well-timed runs beyond them to either provide a passing option or drag defenders out of position. In the second half, with Bombito shifting into the midfield, Laryea and Ahmed continued to create chances down the right flank, particularly in transitional moments. Laryea completed three dribbles during the match, while Ahmed attempted five. With that in mind, it was somewhat surprising that it was Ahmed and not Jonathan Osorio who was replaced in the 66th minute as Herdman brought on David Wotherspoon. Laryea, meanwhile, was shifted back to centre back after Zachary Brault-Guillard came on in the 80th minute which largely ended his offensive contributions. Nevertheless, Ahmed’s performances have been the one true success story for Canada at the Gold Cup. The national team looks to have another genuinely exciting number eight prospect on their hands in the talented 22-year-old. Laryea, meanwhile, has arguably been Canada’s best player and is thriving in the responsibility the absence of so many key Canadian players is affording him.
CanPL.ca Pla****yer of the Match
Richie Laryea, Canada
Laryea has led by example all tournament for Canada with relentless energy and quality. On Saturday night, he won all eight of his duels contested, made three tackles, three dribbles and completed 92 per cent of his passes.
What’s next?
Canada are back at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston on Tuesday, July 4 to conclude Group D action against Cuba (6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT). Cuba are the only team in the group without a point after losing to Guadeloupe 4-1 and Guatemala 1-0 through their first two matchdays. Watch all Gold Cup matches live on OneSoccer. In addition to its website and app, OneSoccer is now available on TELUS channel 980 and on Fubo TV. Call your local cable provider to ask for OneSoccer today.