PREVIEW – There is a lot on the line with the CanMNT vs. Trinidad and Tobago game. After losing to Jamaica in the Concacaf Nations League, there will be a lot of pressure for Canada to perform in Saturday’s game at Toyota Stadium.
The CanMNT vs Trinidad and Tobago Predictions: Copa América On The Line
CanMNT (2-1-2)
Note: The loss to the USMNT counts as a draw as it took place in penalties of the 2024 Concacaf Gold Cup
The CanMNT has not played a game since losing to Jamaica at BMO Field back in November. However, there has been lots of changes off-the-field for the men’s national team. Most importantly, head coach, Mauro Biello has radically changed the roster for the Canadians, with notables like Milan Borjan and Steven Vitoria missing from the roster. As a result, there are some young players who are hungry like Jonathan Sirois and Luc de Fougerolles, who are on the roster. This was a big reason why Biello made the changes to the lineup to the squad. This is what Biello said about this move (source: Tom Nightingale of the Canadian Soccer Talk):
Canada Soccer unveils 2024 home, away match kits.
MORE: https://t.co/4cANZQeMY9 pic.twitter.com/UX7Hyu5edU
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 18, 2024
READ MORE: The March CanMNT Roster Reveal: Who Is The Next Captain?
Of course, there are questions about Biello and if he can coach at the national team level permanently. Winning this game against Trinidad though is the only way he can keep himself in this conversation, and even then, it is not a guarantee. Furthermore, it looks like Stephen Eustáquio will be captain for Saturday’s game against Trinidad and Tobago (source: Matthew Scianitti of TSN).
Another thing to note are the new jerseys being revealed for the Canadian men’s national team. While maybe the jerseys can be a bit better, this is just one of the initiatives Canada has been doing. There is also a new series called “Changing the Guard”, where Canada will do a series of shows for both the women’s and men’s national teams.
Unfortunately, it is not all good news as Jonathan Osorio got injured and was replaced by Liam Fraser.
READ MORE: History And Recent Success Of Canadian Soccer: On The Rise
Trinidad and Tobago (1-1-3)
𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙧 23-𝙈𝙖𝙣 𝙍𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙥𝙖 𝘼𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮-𝙄𝙣 𝙌𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙙𝙖 𝙤𝙣 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝 23𝙧𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤. pic.twitter.com/mztkfGqh4a
— TTFA (@TTFootballAssoc) March 14, 2024
Trinidad and Tobago was eliminated from the Concacaf Nations League after losing to the USMNT on the road 3-0. As a result, they lost the aggregate by the total score of 4-2, with the Soca Warriors beating the U.S. at home 2-1. This is what their captain, Aubrey David, said about the game against Canada (source: Roneil Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago Newsday):
“With it being a one-off game, we have to give everything. We are 90 minutes away from making history and changing our lives forever,” David told TT Football Association (TTFA) media. “That’s motivation to give everything, to die basically on the field. Anything can happen. We just need to believe in ourselves and try to make history.”
It seems that Trinidad and Tobago are determined to make a name for themselves against Canada. They have a few players playing in Europe. However, what most Canadians might notice is the two CPL players and to a lesser extent, the one MLS player that they have on the roster. These players include Reon Moore, who plays for Pacific FC, Andre Rampersad, who plays for the HFX Wanderers FC, and Ajani Fortune, who is their lone MLS player with Atlanta United FC.
Of the three players playing in Canada and the U.S., Moore might be the one Canada might be most worried about. He is a forward who has scored eight goals in 25 appearances for his country. Rampersad and Fortune will also be players to watch as they both play in the midfield position.
Unlike Canada, Trinidad and Tobago had played two games since losing to the U.S. This was a two-game series against Jamaica, where they lost 1-0 and when they drew in a scoreless draw. Keep in mind that Jamaica did not have their top players in those friendly games against Trinidad and Tobago. However, it does show that the Soca Warriors might be more experienced playing as a team than the CanMNT team.
Predictions and How to Watch The Game
honduras y canada son los que pasaran
— LorenzoG31🇨🇱🇮🇹🎮 (@LorenzoSepulv12) March 21, 2024
READ MORE: Potential CanMNT Head Coach Candidates: Who Are They?
Prediction: CanMNT 3 – Trinidad and Tobago 1
The Canadian men’s national team will have a harder time with Trinidad and Tobago then what some pundits may give credit for. The Soca Warriors are a tough team to play against, as seen in their two-leg series against the USMNT.
However, Canada has too much firepower in this match. If they play to what they are capable of, they should be able to qualify for Copa América.
For fans wanting to watch the game, it is available live on OneSoccer, Telus, and FuboTV Inc. at 4:00pm ET on Saturday, March 21, 2024 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
Photo Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports, of a Stephen Eustáquio Headshot, on June 18, 2023.
