With Canada’s 3-0 win Tuesday night over Mexico, in front of the biggest crowd at Estadio de Béisbol Beto Ávila during these qualifiers, the Canadians won Group A and will now play Costa Rica Friday in the semifinals. Candace Chapman scored in the 20th minute for Canada, knocking in a loose ball in front of the net. Josée Bélanger added a goal right before the end of the half. Jonelle Filigno scored for Canada in the second half.
Trinidad and Tobago beat Guyana, 4-1, in the first Group A match Tuesday afternoon. Goals by Kennya Cordner, Rhea Belgrave, and Candace Edwards put Trinidad and Tobago up, 3-0, through the first 49 minutes of play. Guyana’s Mariam Al-Masri scored in the 59th minute before Dernall Mascall got one back for Trinidad and Tobago five minutes later.
Monday, the U.S. won Group B with a 4-0 victory over Costa Rica. Abby Wambach’s penalty kick in the 32nd minute put the U.S. up, 1-0. Lauren Cheney, Yael Averbuch, and Alex Morgan all scored in the second half to put the U.S. into the semifinals where they’ll take on Mexico (Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. local time). The U.S. outscored its opponents, 18-0, in its three games. The finals and third-place playoff game take place on Monday, Nov. 8.
Haiti beat Guatemala, 1-0, Monday in its final game of the qualifiers. Adeline Saintilmond scored for Haiti, which was held scoreless up until Monday. The win for Haiti was its first in the CONCACAF Gold Cup since 2002 when it beat Jamaica. Haiti did not qualify in 2006. It was also Haiti’s first Gold Cup win under the direction of new head coach Gaspard D’Alexis.