The inaugural CONCACAF W Gold Cup is here.

Canada, the reigning Olympic champions, is in Group C and will face Costa Rica, Paraguay and El Salvador for a spot in the knockouts.

Bev Priestman’s squad opens their tournament Thursday against La Selecta, a young team with prolific goal-scorer Brenda Cerén. Canada and El Salvador have never faced each other at the senior level and will both have something to prove: El Salvador will look to continue its historic journey, while Canada hopes for better results after a disappointing World Cup.

Canada will also be entering a new era without Christine Sinclair. Will Les Rouges be able to find success without their iconic captain?

Read on for everything you need to know about Thursday evening's match.

Quick hits

Thursday’s game, held at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston kicks off at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Canada: The reigning Olympic champions had high hopes heading into last summer’s World Cup, but a group-stage exit forced Canada to rethink its tactics heading into 2024. Topping Group C would give Priestman’s side much-needed confidence and indicate a return to its winning ways.

FIFA Ranking: No. 10

Current form: Last fall, Canada defeated Jamaica 4-1 on aggregate in the CONCACAF Olympic playoff series. In recent international friendlies, Les Rouges secured two wins over Australia (5-0 and 1-0) and one win (2-0) and one loss (1-0) against Brazil.

Group C prediction: Group favourite

El Salvador: This is the first major tournament El Salvador has qualified for, and while the odds of La Selecta advancing are slim, the program is on the rise. At last summer’s Central American and Caribbean Games, Eric Alcũna’s squad earned bronze.

FIFA Ranking: No. 104

Current form: El Salvador breezed through Gold Cup qualifying, beating Martinique (9-1, 2-0), Nicaragua (4-1, 3-0) and Honduras (1-0, 5-0). The program earned a spot in Group C with a 3-1 victory over Guatemala on Saturday in the preliminary round.

Group C prediction: Dark horse

Despite tight turnaround, Canada must start strong

Although Canada is the Group C favourite, Thursday’s match is a tight turnaround for several of Priestman’s key players. Ashley Lawrence (Chelsea), Kadeisha Buchanan (Chelsea) and Vanessa Gilles (Lyon) are currently in-season in England and France and joined the Canada camp on Monday.

Adding to the lack of preparation is the last-minute roster changes. Full-back Sydney Collins fractured her ankle on Tuesday. Collins’ North Carolina Courage teammate Bianca St-Georges will take her spot. Last week, Manchester United defender Jayde Riviere also withdrew due to injury, with Benfica star Marie-Yasmine Alidou replacing the 23-year-old. Veteran right-back Allysha Chapman was already unavailable due to her pregnancy, so Priestman will have some last-minute shifting around to do on the backline.

Moreover, El Salvador qualified for Group C on Saturday, so Canada went some time without knowing how to prepare for its opponent. That said, the same is true for La Selecta.

Despite these setbacks, it’s imperative for Canada to have a strong start at the Gold Cup. Canada is a team that runs on momentum and energy, and once that energy runs out, it’s hard for it to recharge (as demonstrated at the World Cup). If Canada can earn a win over El Salvador, it will give the players confidence and power for the rest of group play.

It sounds obvious, but the key to the game for Les Rouges will be to score the first goal. Historically, this Canadian side has had difficulty finishing chances, so netting an early ball will not only lift Canada out of its rut, but frustrate El Salvador in the process.

Young El Salvador squad has nothing to lose

The Central American nation made history by qualifying for the Gold Cup, so at this point it has nothing to lose. El Salvador is the lowest ranked team in the group and knows it isn't expected to advance. As such, expect La Selecta to enter this match with gusto and let Canada hold the pressure.

Alcũna’s side has also experienced recent success, winning its last eight international matches through fast breaks, counterattacks and physicality. It will look to carry these tactics into Thursday’s game and take advantage of a potentially uncertain Canadian backline.

What’s also interesting about El Salvador is its age. On average, the team as a whole is two years younger than Priestman’s roster. Many Canadian players have more caps individually than the El Salvadorian team combined. However, don’t be fooled by their youth and lack of international experience. El Salvador is consistent and is used to holding the ball in the midfield. Will this be enough to beat the likes of Quinn, Jessie Fleming and Julia Grosso? Probably not, but they will surely try.

How will Canada and El Salvador line up?

Against Guatemala, El Salvador went with a 4-2-3-1 formation, which Alcũna will likely keep, considering its success last time out.

Idalia Serrano, who had a standout match in the preliminaries with six saves, will likely take her place between the sticks. From left to right, expect the backline to be Juana Plata, Elaily Hernández, Priscila Ortíz and Andrea Amaya. Ortíz will lead with communication, passion and pace.

Moving up the pitch, Alejandra Morales and Victoria Sánchez will likely play defensive midfield, with Danielle Fuentes, Brenda Cerén and Makenna Domínguez providing a strong offensive unit. Chicago Red Stars’ Samantha Fisher is the most likely candidate to be starting striker, but Samaria Gómez could also get the nod. If she doesn’t start, Dayna Gutiérrez will be an important substitute.

Last time out, against Australia, Priestman chose a 3-4-3 lineup for Canada. Don’t be surprised if this formation stays the same, but with a few adjustments.

San Diego Wave goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan should get the nod in net. Youngster Jade Rose and veterans Gilles and Buchanan will likely make up the backline, with new West Ham player Shelina Zadorsky being a second-half substitute for her leadership and reliability.

In the midfield, Grosso should replace Riviere (who started against Australia) on the left. Mainstays Fleming, Quinn and Lawrence typically complete the line, which could go unchanged against El Salvador, depending on how much Priestman wants to play with the lineup.

Up front, Cloé Lacasse (Arsenal) and Adriana Leon (Aston Villa), who are having solid domestic seasons in England, will provide confidence on attack. Nichelle Prince, who was recently acquired by the Kansas City Current, will most likely complete the starting 11. On Dec. 1 against Australia, the 28-year-old scored a brace and will hope to do the same over El Salvador. Jordyn Huitema, 22, has been the first-choice attacking substitute in the past, and will probably do so Thursday.

With the quality Canada has across the pitch, expect a clean sheet and a dominant win.

Player to watch for Canada: Jessie Fleming

Amidst Sinclair’s retirement from international soccer, 25-year-old Fleming will wear the armband for Canada this tournament. The London, Ont.-native has 123 caps since making her debut for Canada in 2013, and will use the Gold Cup to find her footing in a leadership role. Known for her vision and distribution on the pitch, Fleming is a workhorse who will do everything in her power to secure a positive result.

Player to watch for El Salvador: Brenda Cerén

The Atlas forward scored a hat trick against Guatemala in Saturday’s preliminary playoff. A goal-scoring machine for club and country, the 25-year-old is praised for her spatial awareness, tempo play and ability to control the ball in tight spaces. The El Salvador mainstay isn’t afraid to attack the net and use her aerial presence, either. Against Canada, look for Cerén to cut toward the goal from the wing.

CONCACAF W Gold Cup Preview: Canada must start strong vs. young El Salvador squad

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