If Canada is going to win its first Concacaf Gold Cup since 2000, it will have to do so with a significantly depleted squad.
Canada's 1–0 defeat to the U.S. men's national team on Sunday was more costly than just finishing second in the group, with forward Ayo Akinola tearing his ACL and forward Cyle Larin also suffering a leg injury that rules both attacking stars out for the rest of the competition. The injury to Akinola, who had just chosen Canada over the U.S. for his international allegiance, also "likely" ends his 2021 MLS season, according to Toronto FC, and also potentially rules him out for the entirety of World Cup qualifying, which runs from September 2021 to March 2022.