If Canada’s win over Costa Rica on Friday was deemed frigid, then Tuesday’s showdown at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton may as well be played in Hoth.
The temperature is expected to drop to minus-8 degrees for kickoff against Mexico, with the wind making it feel like it’s minus-14. Snow has fallen consistently since Monday, which pushed Canada’s training session indoors.
It’s also made the pitch look like Canada’s own “Estadio Iceteca.”
Estadio #Iceteca
(let's get that trending, eh?)
Edmonton! We're counting on you to make this our Frozen Fortress tonight. You know what to do!#CANMNT #WCQ #ForCanada pic.twitter.com/TELcxdQHEY
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 16, 2021
Welcome to the #Iceteca https://t.co/ylzSqI1UsC
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 16, 2021
Current Edmonton weather report with #TimandFriends correspondent @jamessharman ahead of Canada vs Mexico #CANMNT #WCQ #Iceteca #YEG pic.twitter.com/cLXB1cXmNm
— Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) November 16, 2021
Even the Mexican press looked shellshocked by the conditions.
From Mexican TV. pic.twitter.com/onr7n65IYC
— JM (@jmmikh) November 16, 2021
This isn’t the first time such conditions have influenced proceedings in Concacaf World Cup qualifying. The famous “Snow Clasico” between the U.S. and Costa Rica was played during a major snowfall in Colorado. The U.S. won 1-0.
https://twitter.com/mschmidt_soccer/status/1460406529765646337
But with the snow and cold weather comes a potential issue: will this actually benefit Canada?
With technically gifted players set up in a usually up-tempo system, playing on a slick, hard playing surface won’t behoove the Canadians. Whether it does or not, even asking this question demonstrates how far the team has come if this is a legitimate issue for a game against Mexico of all teams.
Whatever the case, Canada will be ready for whatever challenge is in front of them on Tuesday night.
You can watch live coverage of Canada’s World Cup qualifier against Mexico starting at 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet NOW.
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