Reigning Olympic gold medalists Mexico punched their ticket to the Rio de Janeiro Games on Saturday, advancing along with Honduras with semi-final wins in their regional qualifying tournament.
Goals from Hirving Lozano and Erick Torres lifted Mexico to a 2-0 victory over Canada at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy City, Utah.
Alberth Elis, 19, was the hero for Honduras’ under-23 team, with a goal in each half in a 2-0 victory over the US.
Photo: Jeff Swinger-USA Today
Both finalists in the North and Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF) regional tournament gain direct entry to next year’s Olympic Games.
Mexico were in full control as they assured themselves of a chance to defend the title they won in London.
Torres opened the scoring in the sixth minute, heading in a cross from Lozano.
Lozano doubled the lead in the 57th minute, taking advantage of a poor defensive effort by Canada’s Sam Piette and firing into the top-left corner of Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau’s net.
Mexico and Honduras — who qualified for their third straight Olympic Games — play for the tournament title tomorrow, when the US and Canada battle it out to keep their Olympic dream alive.
The winners of the third-place match take on Colombia in March next year for an Olympic berth.
The US under-23s, coached by former Austrian international Andreas Herzog, are trying to return to the Olympic men’s soccer tournament for the first time since 2008.
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