Canada and El Salvador are two teams who talk about their soccer as if they are undergoing a revolution. It is time for the revolution to manifest itself as the two square off in the nightcap of the Group B doubleheader in Carson, California.
The Central American side has always been a gritty outfit with vociferous support, especially in Los Angeles.
Under former Barcelona assistant Albert Roca, Los Cuscatlecos are looking for more of a swagger. Despite a record of one win, three losses and two ties in 2015, El Salvador has gained confidence.
As Roca pointed out, one goal losses to Argentina and Chile are nothing to scoff at and even gives his side a boost. If the tiny nation can hang with South America’s big boys, why can’t they give CONCACAF’s established order a run for their money?
Even more vital, the win came in the last game before the Gold Cup, a 4-1 victory over Saint Kitts and Nevis that overturned a rather embarrassing 2-2 draw in the Caribbean but also sees El Salvador through to the next round of 2018 World Cup Qualifying.
“We want to continue to grow and continue to work hard as a team. We know we want to take risks. This is the time. The time is right and we have what it takes to be successful,” said a defiant Roca at his press conference.
“Canada is a complicated rival, but all these rivals [Canada, Costa Rica and Jamaica] are at our level. They are not like Argentina or other teams that obviously have that high advantage over us. This is why the time is right for us. We can do something in this tournament.”
El Salvador will look to two American based players for inspiration. New York Cosmos midfielder Andres Flores will wear the captains armband at the tender age of 24.
Orlando City’s Darwin Ceren could also wear the captain’s armband, depending on the situation. The defensive midfielder will be crucial to breaking up Canada’s attacks just as he has frustrated so many Major League Soccer opponents in his 14 starts this season.
Playmaking responsibilities will fall on the shoulder’s of El Salvador’s number 10, Jaime Alas who plys his trade for Guatamalan giants Municipal.
Up top, European-based strikers Rafael Burgos and Nelson Bonilla will carry the goal-scoring burden.
Just like its rivals, Canada heads into the Gold Cup on the back of a victory which takes them through to the next round of World Cup Qualifying. The Canucks have won four straight, including its two qualifiers. The opponents, however, were Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and Dominica over two legs.
Before then it had been a different story. 2014 brought mixed results and Canada left the 2013 Gold Cup without a goal and just one point to its name.
The feeling North of the boarder is that former Real Madrid coach, Benito Floro is changing that since the Spaniard arrived after the last Gold Cup debacle.
“From the first moment we planned to increase the tactical level of the players,” Floro said when asked about his team’s evolution. “At the same time to join, socially, the players around an idea and a feeling. In this case I consider the progress is good, but now is the moment to test if we are on the right way.”
Canadian Men’s National Team midfielder Julian De Guzman (photo credit: CONCACAF/Canadian Soccer)
Sitting beside Floro, Canadian captain Julian de Guzman spoke of the influence the 63-year-old has had on the players. “From my point of view, and pretty much most of the guys on the team, the professionalism of the team, the level of it is better since Benito has been around. From what we’ve learned on the tactical side of things, I think individually a lot of players have improved. Now its just a matter of us being able to gel together as a team and preforming well.”
De Guzman also spoke of the depth of the squad claiming that when he was MVP in 2007, Canada had probably 10 “solid” players. “Today we could field two solid teams.”
No matter the depth, De Guzman was a member of the squad that lost 2-0 in its first match of the 2011 Gold Cup and was stunned by a 93rd minute goal conceded to Martinique to start that disastrous 2013 campaign. The captain knows that three points against El Salvador is crucial in order to avoid another downward spiral.
“I think the most important game of any tournament is the first game. That usually sets the rhythm, the tempo and it allows the players to find confidence within themselves.”
A new generation can also lift Canada with 11 of the 23-man-roster on aged 24 or younger. Of that group it is perhaps the youngest field player in Orlando City’s Cyle Larin that most excites.
A breakout tournament for the rookie could be just what Canada needs to get the Great White North believing in their beloved Reds once again.
PERDICTION: El Salvador 1- Canada 1
The revolutions led by a former Barca assistant and a former Real Madrid head coach will cancel themselves out like a dissappointing Clasico. A point for both sides will be a fair, if not disappointing, start to the tournament.
