Canada draws Jamaica for Gold Cup quarter-final

Striker, Larin, added to Canada’s roster

TORONTO (CP) — Striker Cyle Larin was added to Canada’s men’s soccer team on Sunday for the knock-out phase of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The 22-year old from Brampton, Ont., joins the squad ahead of Thursday’s quarter-final match against Jamaica.

Larin, who plays for Orlando City SC in Major League Soccer, replaces Raheem Edwards of Toronto FC. Per tournament regulations, national teams can make up to six changes after the group phase, but can only carry a squad of maximum 23 players.

This is Larin’s second time playing in a Gold Cup. A two-time runner-up in voting for Canadian Player of the Year honours (2015 and 2016), Larin has scored five goals in 20 international matches.

At the club level, he has scored 39 goals in 76 matches, winning MLS rookie of the year honours in 2015 and being named the top player in the 2016 MLS Under-24 ranking.

Canada won the CONCACAF championship in 1985 and the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2000.

Prior to learning of its opponent on Sunday, Canada’s head coach Octavio Zambrano wasn’t worried about which team his club would face next.

“The most important thing for us right now is us,” Zambrano said. “If we play like we have up to now, we’re on to something.

“It’s more about us than the opponent. I have seen improvements from game to game. The players are empowered by the knowledge that they can play with anyone on equal terms.” Team captain Patrice Bernier agreed. “The players believe that we can win and that is a good thing for this young group,” he said. “We know anything is possible.”

Canada advanced to the quarter-final round with a 0-0 draw against Honduras on Friday night. That gave the Canadians a second-place finish in Group A with five points (1-0-2) through the group phase.

The Canadian team has continued to excel under Zambarano, who has two wins and two draws since taking over as head coach.

“The most important thing that I have seen is that the players are believing to get the power by knowing they can play against anybody in equal terms,” Zambarano said following the game with Honduras. “Getting to that point has been quite the challenge, so what that does is that allows you to take a little bit more freedoms and risks as you develop.”

Jamaica beat El Salvador 1-0 on Sunday, but both advanced out of Group C based on match points.

Jamaica drew Canada for its quarterfinal contest Thursday in Phoenix, while Mexico meets Honduras in Thursday’s other quarter-final.

The quarter-finals start Wednesday, with Costa Rica facing Panama and the United States taking on El Salvador.