Canada forwards Ayo Akinola and Cyle Larin have both been
\u200bruled out of the Concacaf Gold Cup knockout phase after suffering injuries in
\u200bthe Sunday group finale in Kansas City, KS, USA. Akinola suffered a knee injury
\u200bin the first half and Larin suffered a leg injury in the second half as Canada
\u200bfinished second place in their group after the 0:1 loss to USA. Both sides had
\u200balready guaranteed their spot in the knockout phase after opening the group
\u200bphase with back-to-back wins against Haiti and Martinique.
Both Akinola and Larin played significant roles in Canada
\u200breaching the Concacaf Gold Cup Quarterfinals for the third successive
\u200btournament, a first for the Men’s National Team Program. Larin, who has scored
\u200ba record 10 goals this year, scored three goals in Canada’s two wins. Akinola,
\u200bin his Canada debut against Haiti, drew the foul that led to Canada’s fourth
\u200bgoal via a Junior Hoilett penalty. Sunday’s group match in Kansas City was the
\u200bfirst to feature Akinola and Larin paired up front as strikers.
Canada will face either Costa Rica or Jamaica in the
\u200bConcacaf Gold Cup Quarterfinals on Sunday 25 July in Arlington, TX, USA. All of
\u200bCanada’s matches at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup are broadcast live on OneSoccer
\u200band fans will find extended coverage across Canada Soccer’s digital channels on
\u200bFacebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube featuring the hashtag #CANMNT.
As per Concacaf Gold Cup regulations, Canada will have until
\u200b 24 hours before their Quarterfinals match to propose any medical
\u200breplacements in cases of serious injury or illness. Any players proposed as
\u200bmedical replacements must come from the previously announced Concacaf Gold Cup
\u200bprovisional rosters.