US face Qatar test as Mexico meet arch-rivals Canada in Gold Cup semis today
Defending champion Mexico and host United States will atempt to advance to the Gold Cup football finals with triumphs in Texas on Thursday.
The Mexicans will face Canada at Houston in one semi-final match of the biennial North American showdown, while the Americans host guest invitee Qatar at Austin in the other.
Winners will meet on Sunday at Las Vegas in the championship match of the 16th CONCACAF regional tournament.
Eight-time champion Mexico defeated the US squad 1-0 in the 2019 final. The teams have met in six Gold Cup finals, with the Mexicans winning all but the 2007 matchup, when the six-time trophy-holder American side took a 2-1 victory.
Asian Cup champion Qatar’s Almoez Ali has a tournament-high four goals, while the US club is led by two goals from Orlando City striker Daryl Dike.
“Without a doubt it’ll be difficult,” US coach Gregg Berhalter said.
“Qatar has looked great in this tournament. They are already in the semi-finals. That gives you a warning.”
US midfielder Cristian Roldan, who plays for Major League Soccer’s Seatle Sounders, knows Qatar will be tough to crack but intends to live up to high expectations from within.
“We have high aspirations as a team,” Roldan said.
“Qatar is going to be really difficult. They play in a 5-3-2, they’re really difficult to break down and they’re a transition team, so we have to be smart.”
While Qatar, the 2022 World Cup host, tries to make a major statement ahead of next year’s global spectacle, Canada, which took the 2000 Gold Cup, will try to make its second final.
The Canadians, who were edged 1-0 by the United States in the group stage, will try to become the first nation to score against El Tricolor.
Canada beat Mexico 2-1 in the 2000 quarterfinals in their only prior meeting in a knockout round matchup. Cyle Larin and Stephen Eustaquio each have three goals to lead the Canadians into their first semi-final since 2007, while Rogelio Funes Mori has three goals to pace Mexico.
It has been quite the 2021 thus far for Canada winger Tajon Buchanan. The 22-yearold Brampton native was a key member of the Canada side that reached the semifinals of the 2020 Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying
Championship last March in Guadalajara, Mexico, scoring two goals for his country, before starting all four matches thus far for Canada in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. Needless to say, the experience of playing and contributing to Canada’s success in two big Concacaf tournaments has benefited Buchanan immensely.
“I was able to play in both, geting that first call-up to play for Canada playing for the Under-23s and playing in that tournament and now being with the senior men’s team in this tournament. It’s an honor to be here and every time I step on the field, I’m trying to make a difference. I’m extremely happy and honored that I was able to play in both of those and hopefully we can come away with the trophy in this one,” said Buchanan.
“I think playing in the CMQQ helped geting games under my belt. I had never played for my country at an international level, so geting those games in back in March was good and it helped me transition a lot easier into the senior team.”