The men of Canada are through to the 2024 Copa America after narrowly beating Trinidad and Tobago 2-0, thanks to goals from Cyle Larin in the 60th minute and Jacob Shaffelburg in the 92nd.
“I am proud of my players”, Biello told the media after the game in French after a bit of a fiasco yesterday in the MD-1 press conference where he was told by the CONCACAF media representative to only answer in English.
It wasn’t easy for Canada as Trinidad and Tobago set up in a low block and let their opposition control the ball and come at them and the stats proved it with 65% possession and 16 shots on goal.
“We pushed in the second half and we were able to find the goal we had been looking for.” - Interim Canada Head Coach, Mauro Biello
Canada had three serious chances in the first three minutes of the game but nothing on target as they were building the play but couldn’t finish as shots sailed wide.
“We knew it was going to be a difficult game and knew what type of game this was going to be and against a team that plays physical and closes spaces and doesn’t give you much sitting in a low block and waiting for the counter.”
In the 18th minute, we saw how dangerous the counter could be as Levy Garcia got the ball off a turnover and ended up alone in the box but his shot missed the net by a whisker.
“What I am most proud of is the player's mentality because it’s easy to get frustrated in games like this where you are not scoring and to stay on task.”
Seven minutes later Cyle Larin had his first chance at goal but was denied by the Trinidad goalkeeper Denzil Smith.
“When you play with three forwards you know they are not going to give you a lot of space but I think we pressed well and we had chances in the first half but we needed to be more aggressive.”
Two minutes later it was Jonathan David with a chance to score but again was stopped by Smith who was doing everything to keep his team in the game.
“The guys were calm and they knew we were in control of the game and stayed on task and made a couple of adjustments.”
Canada finally got the breakthrough in the 60th minute when Cyle Larin found himself in the box and got a quick pass from Tajon Buchanan who made a fabulous run and was able to beat Smith with a powerful shot that went far post.
“It means a lot”, Cyle Larin told One Soccer in a post-game interview. “ It means more for us as a team and I am happy I scored.”
Larin was asked to describe his goal and he gave full credit to his teammate Buchanan who set it up.
“I was just being patient and I knew it was coming and I knew Tajon would dribble and play it in and I came off the front and tucked it in.” - Canada forward, Cyle Larin
With the goal on the scoreboard Canada looked hungry for more and kept firing on all cylinders and five minutes later had a chance on target to double their lead but Smith made another key save.
“I am super happy for our fans”, Biello said. “ That’s the first and foremost and what this means to our fans is huge to be able to be in Copa America and to play the World Champions and that’s what all our fans want to see.”
In the 69th minute, Trinidad and Tobago were able to test Maxime Crepeau who got the start in goal for Canada made a crucial save on Andre Raymond punching a ball out of danger.
“We need that type of experience and we got some in Qatar and now we have the opportunity to play some of these high-level teams.”
In the 82nd minute, Jacen Russell Rowe who had just come off the bench with Jacob Shaffelburg had his first chance of the game but his shot was saved by Smith.
“Outside of the World Cup, Copa America is a very prestigious tournament and you are going to feel the passion in this type of tournament and what it means to these countries and it’s amazing to live those types of feelings.”
Three minutes later it was Garcia again testing Crepeau but the Quebecer was up to the challenge and seemed unbeatable playing for his country for the first time in over a year since getting injured.
In the 87th minute, Shaffelburg came very close to doubling Canada’s lead but his shot rang off the post and stayed out to his dismay.
“Every time he has been called he has done super well”, Biello answered when asked about Shaffelburg's performance.
“He has been so sharp this week in training and I was happy he was able to transfer that energy and quality to the game.”
Shaffelburg had one more chance in the 92nd minute and he made good on it this time powering a shot that went top corner to seal Canada’s win and place in Copa America.
“He has that pace to deliver good crosses but he needs experience and to play regularly and continue to grow.”
Shaffelburg was asked post-game about his thoughts on the win and says he feels like that hard week of training paid off.
“I feel good”, Shaffelburg said. “ I am still taking it all in and I was happy to get on the field, had a hard week of training just trying to help the team out every day.”
He was also asked about how he felt scoring another big goal for Canada which sent them to Copa America.
“It felt good and I saw it coming over and I thought about passing it but I thought I’d take a touch and hit it as hard as I could.” - Canada forward, Jacob Shaffelburg
Biello was asked post-game about his thoughts on how his defense fared against a team that looked to counter.
“For us, we knew it was important to create overloads and create a little block and those moments happen and we were ready to accept that it could happen and you need to defend and make plays.”
The interim head coach who is not confirmed yet to be the coach for the team this summer was asked about the daunting task of facing Lionel Messi in the tournament opener but says his team is focused on enjoying the win right now.
“Right now we want to enjoy the moment and it’s a special moment and it was a tough loss against Jamaica and a tough few months but there was a lot of work done and we want to savor this victory.”
We also got to hear from Alphonso Davies after the game who earlier in the week mentioned that he wanted to lead his team to a win.
“This is an honor”, Davies said. “ We fought hard today and we are happy to get the win and to qualify for Copa America and we know it’s going to be a different beast and we are ready for a fight.”
Davies also gave his thoughts on a tough win against Trinidad and Tobago who did everything they could to win.
“They are a tough team and both teams had something to lose and we both wanted to make it through and overall it was a good game and they fought well and played well and were happy to come out with a win.” - Canada winger, Alphonso Davies
One thing Canada has going for them against Argentina is that Davies has faced Messi three times in the UEFA Champions League and is 3-0 against him.
Canada will open the tournament on June 20th at 8 pm in Atlanta, Georgia at Mercedes Benz Stadium and five days later will face Peru before wrapping up the group stage on June 29th against Chile.
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