Canada draws Mexico: Why that may be the result to put us through
By Jim James
Canada are getting ever closer to qualifying to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. While we won’t know for sure until March, or maybe June, no matter how you slice it or dice it, these next 2 games are crucial to get the 6 points, including the aptly-named 6-pointer vs Panama next week. However, we can celebrate; a draw in the on-paper toughest game in the stage; in Mexico. The first goal in Mexico by the Canadian MNT in 41 years. I could brag about how it was done by a Toronto FC player, I won’t, but I know that this puts us on 6 points, and 1 out of 3rd. In this post I will look at our next 2 opponents to see if we can win both games.
Jamaica
Despite boasting names such as Leon Bailey, Michail Antonio, and Kemar Roofe, the best player Jamaica is playing is Andre Blake and Bobby Decordova-Reid, and even Kemar Roofe is only starting on the bench, with Bailey and Antonio nowhere to be found. And it is not abiding them well. Bottom of the table with 1 draw out of 4 games and a loss last night vs the USA, this looks like a team far from the World Cup.
They have played and lost to both Mexico and the USA, so it keeps the pressure on Canada to beat them on Sunday. Jamaica have usually been dominated by the opponent, not outnumbering them in shots in any of their games yet. However, they have played the 2 toughest teams in the stage, 4th place Panama and the team that boasts the best Goalkeeper in the continent, so they may have rungs to climb in the table yet.
That being said, with their run of form, and Canada on a high after drawing vs Mexico, I think that they can win vs the Reggae Boyz.
Panama
Jamaica being Jamaica, Panama’s a whole different tale. It all depends on the team’s performance vs the USA, as a win for Canada and the USA and that Sunday night would see the Canadians 4 points up on the Panama team.
The best we can do at the moment is to simply speculate on paper our opponents. They are playing their full strength XI, led by Michael Murillo and Luis Meija, headlined in attack by Yoel Barcenas and Rolando Blackburn. They have Alberto Quintero and Anibal Godoy in midfield.
This seems like another win for Canada, with the strength of Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, and Johnathan Osorio.
In conclusion, it should be another 6 points for the Canucks, wins against Jamaica and Panama, and they could be 3 points in 3rd place, with qualification seeming ever closer. I’m Jim James, and I’ll see you soon.