All signs point to the World Cup for the Canadian men’s soccer team. We did the math

The Canadian men’s soccer team will have another chance to clinch a World Cup berth on Sunday against Jamaica at BMO Field. Like last time out, various scenarios would get the team to its goal. Win or tie against the Reggae Boyz and the Canadians will be playing in Qatar in November. If they lose, they could still secure a spot on Sunday if fourth-place Costa Rica ties or loses to sixth-place El Salvador on the road, or the second-place United States loses at home to fifth-place Panama.Beyond that, there’s still one more game in Panama on Wednesday. And even if Canada loses twice and Costa Rica wins both of its remaining matches to create a tie for the final spot with 25 points in CONCACAF qualifying, Los Ticos would likely still lose the tiebreaker: goal differential, where Canada currently holds an 11-goal advantage. The Costa Ricans have only scored nine goals in 12 matches, while the Canadians have conceded just six, fewest among the eight teams in the final round.Also on Canada’s side: the men’s team has never lost a competitive match at BMO Field (11-0-5).On JamaicaAlready eliminated from contention, the Jamaicans are 1-6-5 and sit next-to-last in the standings. They have, however, been stronger on the road than at home, picking up five of eight points away. One of three home points came in a goal-less tie with Canada in October. Canadian coach John Herdman will go head-to-head with Paul Hall this time around, after the Jamaicans fired head coach Theodore Whitmore in December over the team’s poor start.Attackers Michail Antonio (West Ham) and Kemar Roofe (Rangers) were not called upon for the final qualifying window, and Jamaican outlets reported Saturday that other key players didn’t make the trip to Toronto.On CanadaToronto-born midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye is out after his red card against Costa Rica, but Doneil Henry and Samuel Adekugbe are available after multiple yellow cards ruled them out Thursday. Centre back Steven Vitoria, who was on the bench against Costa Rica because of an injury, will be fitness tested on Sunday before determining if he’s on the bench again.Laura Armstrong is a Star sports reporter based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @lauraarmy

Tomas Kauer - Moderator Tomas Kauer - Moderator
Mar 27, 2022 - 09:26
All signs point to the World Cup for the Canadian men’s soccer team. We did the math

The Canadian men’s soccer team will have another chance to clinch a World Cup berth on Sunday against Jamaica at BMO Field. Like last time out, various scenarios would get the team to its goal.

Win or tie against the Reggae Boyz and the Canadians will be playing in Qatar in November.

If they lose, they could still secure a spot on Sunday if fourth-place Costa Rica ties or loses to sixth-place El Salvador on the road, or the second-place United States loses at home to fifth-place Panama.

Beyond that, there’s still one more game in Panama on Wednesday. And even if Canada loses twice and Costa Rica wins both of its remaining matches to create a tie for the final spot with 25 points in CONCACAF qualifying, Los Ticos would likely still lose the tiebreaker: goal differential, where Canada currently holds an 11-goal advantage. The Costa Ricans have only scored nine goals in 12 matches, while the Canadians have conceded just six, fewest among the eight teams in the final round.

Also on Canada’s side: the men’s team has never lost a competitive match at BMO Field (11-0-5).

On Jamaica

Already eliminated from contention, the Jamaicans are 1-6-5 and sit next-to-last in the standings. They have, however, been stronger on the road than at home, picking up five of eight points away. One of three home points came in a goal-less tie with Canada in October.

  • Canadian coach John Herdman will go head-to-head with Paul Hall this time around, after the Jamaicans fired head coach Theodore Whitmore in December over the team’s poor start.

  • Attackers Michail Antonio (West Ham) and Kemar Roofe (Rangers) were not called upon for the final qualifying window, and Jamaican outlets reported Saturday that other key players didn’t make the trip to Toronto.

On Canada

Toronto-born midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye is out after his red card against Costa Rica, but Doneil Henry and Samuel Adekugbe are available after multiple yellow cards ruled them out Thursday.

  • Centre back Steven Vitoria, who was on the bench against Costa Rica because of an injury, will be fitness tested on Sunday before determining if he’s on the bench again.

Laura Armstrong is a Star sports reporter based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @lauraarmy

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