Considered the up-and-coming darlings of CONCACAF less than two years ago, Canada look to put aside significant internal strife to save their rising star as they meet Trinidad & Tobago in a Copa America playoff on Saturday in Texas.
Both nations, along with Honduras and Panama, fell one stop short of the necessary CONCACAF Nations League semifinal threshold to qualify for this summer's massive tournament, meaning a playoff is needed to determine the final two participants. Canada were stunned by Jamaica last fall, squandering a 3-0 aggregate lead with just 30 minutes to go, suffering elimination at the hands of the away goal rule.
With news that the Canadian federation is in significant financial trouble, and the squad forced to move on from a host of aging veteran players, there is much to worry about even as they reached new heights in World Cup qualifying not two years ago.
Trinidad & Tobago, meanwhile, were dumped out of the Nations League quarterfinals by the United States, but will take solace in their narrow home victory in the second leg of the matchup, which wasn't enough to overturn a hefty aggregate deficit but will give them confidence of producing the necessary performance to reach this summer's showcase.
Only one of these teams can move on, while the other will be forced to look on while the best in the world do battle under the bright lights of their own backyard.
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Canada vs Trinidad and Tobago live stream, TV channel
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | CBS Sports Network | Fubo USA, Paramount+ |
| Canada | OneSoccer | Fubo Canada |
The vital CONCACAF matchup between Canada and Trinidad & Tobago to determine who qualifies for this summer's Copa America will be televised in both the U.S. and Canada.
In the United States, the match can be viewed on CBS Sports Network, which is available to stream on Fubo USA, who is offering a FREE trial for new users. It can also be streamed on Paramount+ as well through CBS Sports with a FREE trial also on offer to new subscribers.
In Canada, fans can watch their side put it all on the line on OneSoccer, which is also available to stream on Fubo Canada.
What time is Canada vs Trinidad and Tobago kickoff?
This Copa America playoff kicks off from Toyota Stadium on Saturday, March 23 at 3 p.m. local time in Frisco, Texas, where both playoff matches will be held.
Here's how that time translates across all of the time zones across North America:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Sat, Mar. 23 | 4 p.m. |
| Central Time | Sat, Mar. 23 | 3 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Sat, Mar. 23 | 2 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Sat, Mar. 23 | 1 p.m. |
The matchup is the first of the two playoffs to take the field, with the game between Costa Rica and Honduras kicking off at 7:15 p.m. local time to determine the other Copa America qualifier.
Canada vs Trinidad and Tobago lineups & team news
For the first time in years, veteran goalkeeper Milan Borjan was not called into the Canada squad, meaning the job now belongs to Maxime Crepeau for the foreseeable future. Crepeau has not held a clean sheet in three starts for his new club Portland Timbers, but is by far the best option to replace the 36-year-old veteran, who while in decline on the field is a big presence to fill in the locker room.
The Canada defense is sapped of talent for this all-important match. Despite nearing a return from a knee injury, defender Sam Adekugbe was not called in, and Richie Laryea out as well, set to undergo surgery on his hamstring, looking at three months on the sidelines. 37-year-old Steven Vitoria suffered the same fate as Borjan, left to ponder what could potentially be the end of his international career.
In the midfield, captain Jonathan Osorio is another absentee, forced to withdraw from the squad due to a hip injury. The attacking trio of Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, and Cyle Larin are all available and should play a big role in this match.
Canada projected starting lineup (3-4-3): Crepeau (GK) — Johnston, Miller, Cornelius — Buchanan, Eustaquio, Piette, Davies — David, Larin, Shaffelberg.
Trinidad & Tobago return every single starter from the upset win over the United States last time out, and all should be involved here. Denzil Smith was excellent in goal on just his third cap, earning the start over the more experienced Adrian Foncette.
Aubrey David and Alvin Jones are the veteran presence along the back line, with David sporting 74 international caps and Jones scoring the all-important winner against the U.S. last fall before holding steady to protect the lead across the final half-hour.
Longtime veterans Joevin Jones and Kevin Molino have been phased out of the national team setup as both are currently without a club contract.
Trinidad & Tobago projected starting lineup (3-5-2): D. Smith (GK) — David, J. Garcia, A. Jones — S. Gomez, Rampersad, D. Phillips, Garcia, Raymond — N. James, R. Moore.
Canada vs Trinidad and Tobago prediction, betting odds & lines
- Moneyline lean: Trinidad & Tobago (+1450 on BetMGM)
- Score prediction: Canada 1-2 Trinidad & Tobago
The vibes right now around the Canadian national team are appalling, with the federation seemingly doing everything it can to undermine the performances on the field with constant mismanagement. While the players did their very best to put aside those distractions, it bled over onto the field — in 2023, Canada suffered disappointing results such as home defeats to the United States and Jamaica and Gold Cup draws with Guadeloupe and Guatemala.
Qualification to the 2022 World Cup brought hope of a brighter future, but it seems Canada have squandered that promise in record time, and missing out on the Copa America entirely would be the catalyst for a necessary overhaul within the Canadian federation.
Trinidad & Tobago are fully capable of providing that deathblow, and present unmistakable value at such long odds. While the Soca Warriors aren't often at their best away from their fortress in Couva, this is a team capable of punishing opposition mistakes, as they did to the United States last fall following the moronic dismissal of Sergino Dest.
| BetMGM (USA) | |
| Canada win | -1000 |
| Draw | +625 |
| T&T win | +1450 |
| Both teams to score Y/N | +190 / -275 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | -190 / +135 |
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