• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Montreal Sports News

Montreal Sports News

  • Alouettes
  • Canadians
  • Impact

Preview: CanMNT Host Costa Rica in Alphonso Davies’ Homecoming

November 11, 2021 by Last Word On Soccer Leave a Comment

CanMNT players Milan Borjan and Liam Millar in Edmonton

PREVIEW – The CanMNT is set to return to the pitch on Friday, this time with a pivotal fixture in Edmonton against Costa Rica. Canada is looking to continue the momentum it built after a very successful international window in October. The Canadians took care of business on the road, including a draw in Mexico at the Azteca. Les Rouges capped off October with a dramatic 4-1 home win over Panama.

Preview: Canada Host Costa Rica in Alphonso Davies’ Homecoming

90′ 🕛 Finaliza el juego@USMNT 🇺🇸 2 : 1 #LaSele 🇨🇷#VamosTicos pic.twitter.com/Vro0hgztQF

— FEDEFUTBOL Costa Rica (@fedefutbolcrc) October 14, 2021

On the other hand, Costa Rica is coming into the match following a mixed bag of results. After a draw away to Honduras and a home win over El Salvador, things were looking up. However, despite a goal exactly one minute in against the U.S., where they lost 2-1. Costa Rica currently sits in fifth place, four points back of Canada for the third and final automatic qualifying spot.

Costa Rica is a team Canada must not take lightly. Los Ticos have qualified for every world cup since the turn of the millennium (except the 2010 FIFA World Cup). Despite some of their core players like Bryan Ruiz ageing, and thus not being at their peak physically, this is a team that knows how to grind out results in tough environments.

Cold Temperatures Are Expected

Edmonton should prove to be exactly that for the Costa Ricans. Despite no snow in the forecast, temperatures are expected to approach 0 degrees Celsius. This is obviously not an ideal playing condition, especially when the bulk of your roster plays club football in Costa Rica. Another benefit for Canada is that Costa Rica will be without star keeper Keylor Navas. The standout keeper is currently injured and will stay with his club, PSG, over the international window.

Canada Add Some Key Pieces

On the Canadian side of things, health will not play as big a factor as it did the last window. Yes, Scott Kennedy and Junior Hoilett are still ruled out, but Canada will return many first-team players to the side. Keeper Milan Borjan is ready to play after recovering from COVID-19. Besiktas’ Atiba Hutchinson and Cyle Larin are back to being fully fit. Also, Whitecaps striker Lucas Cavallini could be ready to see some game time.

A product of @ChelseaFC
Now shining at @KRCGenkOfficial

23-year-old striker Iké Ugbo / @IUgbo is now officially a #CANMNT player.

Welcome to the brotherhood, Iké 🇨🇦🔥 pic.twitter.com/MP0o706aFh

— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 4, 2021

Canada has also added another forward to its roster, by way of commitment from a dual national to the program. Ike Ugbo of Genk in Belgium’s top-flight chose to represent Canada over England this past week. The former England U20 international adds yet another attacking option for John Herdman.

Alphonso Davies’ Returns to His Home City

“Your wildest dreams can come true” ❤

Love this from @AlphonsoDavies 🙌

(via @CanadaSoccerEN) pic.twitter.com/yb4djE7AwC

— DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) November 10, 2021

Canada making its return to Commonwealth Stadium is going to be a special occasion for Alphonso Davies. The Bayern Munich star grew up in Edmonton, spending ten years in the city before joining the Vancouver Whitecaps academy. Davies has yet to have a match in Edmonton with the national team since he burst onto the scene. This should be a special homecoming for Canada’s brightest star.

Analysis

Costa Rica is a slower team, and that suits Canada very well. The Canadians love to attack opponents down the wings with their pacey wide players. With slow legs and no Keylor Navas to mask those weaknesses, Costa Rica could be in for a rough night. Anything can happen, and Canada has been slow starters in this qualifying cycle. It is very possible Los Ticos get an early goal and set up a low block Canada can’t solve in the cold. However, all signs point to another Canadian win at home.

Prediction

Canada 2 Costa Rica 0

Photo credit to Canada Soccer on November 8, 2021, in Edmonton, Alberta.

 

The post Preview: CanMNT Host Costa Rica in Alphonso Davies’ Homecoming appeared first on Last Word On Soccer.

Filed Under: Impact

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • John Herdman: His Impact With the CanWNT
  • Vancouver Whitecaps’ Coachella Invitational Preview
  • Fantasy Hockey 2022-23 Week 17, Part 1: Studs, Duds, and Sleepers
  • NHL Rumours: Colorado Avalanche Eyeing Montreal Canadiens Forward
  • NHL Predictions: January 28 Including Montreal Canadiens vs Ottawa Senators

Categories

Recent Comments

    Archives

    Our Partners

    All Sports

    • CBS DFW
    • Fort Worth Star-Telegram

    Baseball

    • MLB.com
    • Lone Star Ball

    Football

    • Dallas Cowbows
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Football Talk

    Hockey

    • Last Word On Hockey
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Talk
    • The Hockey Writers

    Soccer

    • Last Word on Soccer
    • MLS Multiplex

    College

    • Burnt Orange Nation

    Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in