Canada fails to qualify for Rio Olympics

Marc Pelosi and Jerome Kiesewetter scored second-half goals and the USA beat Canada 2-0 on Tuesday to finish third in the CONCACAF qualifying tournament and set up a playoff game against Colombia for a spot in Rio.

Having finished third in the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament, the USA will travel to Brazil in March for a pair of matches against Colombia, with the victor securing a spot at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Anthony Jackson-Hamels’ attempted clearance of an American corner kick fell to the San Jose Earthquakes midfielder, who took a touch before firing a right-footed effort from 19-yards out. Canada’s defense was able to get a leg to it but weren’t able to deter the shot enough as it slammed into the roof of the net.

With seven minutes left in normal time, Kiesewetter converted his own penalty after being taken down by goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau for his fourth goal of the tournament, putting him atop the scoring chart with Honduras’ Alberth Elis. He was outstanding, denying the Americans on numerous occasions, especially following the break, when they came out on the front foot.

“We need these kind of tournaments for our players to grow and gain experience”, Canada’s head coach Benito Floro said. The Canadians haven’t reached the Olympics since the 1984 Games in Los Angeles, despite being one win away from making it in 2012. Canada played compact and disciplined defense for the entire second half and were able to stymie most everything the Yanks threw at them.

The U.S. Under-23 national team is getting an Olympic qualifying mulligan. “We dominated the game and we’re happy we’re still on the road to Rio”. Jordan Morris registered a unsafe shot on goal in the 52nd minute. “We had to bounce back, come back and win this game today, and we did”.

The Americans outshot Canada 13-2 in the first half with three of those shots reaching goal. On the other side, Canada created just three total shots in 90 minutes.