As an automatic North American entrant, Canada will be competing in the Gold Cup for a 13th time in 14 attempts.

Other than the United States and Mexico, it is the only country to win the continental competition, taking home the trophy with a 2-0 win over Colombia in the 2000 final.  That year, the Maple Leafs reached the knockout round via a coin-toss tiebreaker with Korea Republic and stunned three-time defending champion Mexico in the quarterfinals (2-1).

More recently, however, the Canadians haven’t won in seven Gold Cup matches.  Their last victory in the competition came against Guadeleoupe, 1-0, on June 11, 2011, as Dwayne De Rosario netted the only from the penalty spot,

Traditionally, Canada has been strong defensively in Gold Cup play, conceding one goal or fewer in seven of its last eight outings.  Offensively, though, it has been shutout in six straight encounters.

Canada advanced to the fourth round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, before being eliminated, finishing play with an overall record of 5W-3D-2L.  Forwards Tosaint Ricketts and Cyle Larin each scored a team-high four goals.

The 21-year-old Larin has been a revelation for Orlando City SC, striking for 31 goals in 59 all-time Major League Soccer games.