Canada arrives in Miami

Canada’s men’s national team arrived safely in Miami, FL today after taking a three-point lead in Group A of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup. After a 1:0 win over El Salvador in Columbus on Tuesday night, Canada traveled to Miami on Wednesday to begin preparations for its next game against Costa Rica.



“I thought yesterday we put it together for both halves,” said coach Stephen Hart. “We created some chances, in particular in the second half. Overall, you have to be pleased with the way the players have been performing.”



Both Canada and Costa Rica were on the same CONCACAF Gold Cup flight from Columbus to Miami. While both teams had stayed at the same hotel in Los Angeles and Columbus, they are now in separate hotels in the lead up to Friday’s third and final match of the group phase. The Canada-Costa Rica match, which kicks off at 19.00 ET (16.00 PT), will be broadcast live on Sportsnet East and Sportsnet West.



Canada is very close to qualifying for the quarter-final stage of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Eight of the 12 teams in the competition advance beyond the group phase. Canada already has six points after two games. Technically, however, nine teams could still finish the group phase tied on six points.



In Group A, Canada has six points, El Salvador and Costa Rica each have three points, and Jamaica has no points. On Friday, Canada plays Costa Rica and El Salvador plays Jamaica. In Group B, USA has six points, Honduras and Haiti have three points, and Grenada has no points. On Saturday, USA plays Haiti and Honduras played Grenada.



Group C action resumes on Thursday with Mexico (three points) facing Panama (no points) and Guadeloupe (three points) facing Nicaragua (no points). If either Group C match ends in a draw, Canada will qualify for the quarter-final stage before playing its final match on Friday.