Photo: Prensa Latina
Havana, February 24 (RHC)-- The soccer teams of Canada, the United States, Mexico and Panama will play today in the semifinals of the Concacaf U-17 Men's World Cup in Guatemala City.
The first teams will meet for the twelfth time in the history of these tournaments, with the Americans winning 11 times, most recently on February 15, in the Group F final with a 1-0 score.
This Friday, at the Doroteo Guamuch Flores stadium in the capital, at 20:00 local time, they will meet again with the incentive of having secured their ticket to the FIFA World Cup in Peru, after qualifying in the quarterfinals.
The United States has Keyrol Figueroa, the team's hero with six goals and the desire to take the lead in this edition XX, as well as Christian Diaz, Pedro Soma and Adrian Gill in passing and ball recovery.
After defeating host Guatemala (5-3), they will now go for their fourth title against a Canadian team that has been strengthened throughout the competition with consecutive victories over Haiti and Puerto Rico, respectively, with 3-0 scores.
They will look to players like Kyler Vojvodic (three goals) and Lazar Stefanovic (287 passes and six turnovers) to help them reach their first final on Sunday.
For their part, Mexico and Panama are also assured of a place in Peru and will be out for revenge, having already met in the Group E final in a 1-1 draw.
El Tri overcame their opponents El Salvador last Wednesday with a three goals to zero difference, while the Canaleros overcame Honduras 2-1.
The latter maintain their motivation to be U-17 champions in the area and make history, while the Mexicans are seeking their ninth title with the support of one of their best players, Stephano Carrillo, who has six goals to his name.
He is joined by teammates Jose Urias with four and Fidel Barajas, Jonathan Flores and Gael Alvarez with three assists each.
Panama, meanwhile, relies on its defense (two goals conceded in five games) and the offense of Kevin Walder, its main man with four goals.
From these two matches, the two teams that will fight for the Pre-World Cup title on Sunday, February 26, will emerge.
