Canada has summoned Orlando City forward Tesho Akindele as an injury replacement at the Gold Cup.
The Canadians, who face Costa Rica in Sunday’s quarterfinal at AT&T Stadium, were left short up front when Ayo Akinola and Cyle Larin were both injured in a 1-0 loss to the U.S. last Sunday.
Akinola, who plays for Toronto FC, is gone for the season after injuring the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. Larin is out for several weeks with a soft tissue leg injury.
The Gold Cup final, should Canada get there, is Aug. 1.
WATCH l Canada’s Akinola leaves game against U.S. with knee injury:
.jpg?crop=1.777xh:h;*,*&downsize=510px:* 510w")
Ayo Akinola, forward for the Canadian men’s national team and Toronto FC, is taken out of the game shortly after falling hard to the pitch. 1:09
The injuries left Canada coach John Herdman with Lucas Cavallini, Tyler Pasher, Theo Corbeanu, Junior Hoilett and Tajon Buchanan as options up front.
The 29-year-old Akindele has three goals in 17 appearances for Canada. He has three goals in 14 matches for Orlando this season.
Canada, ranked 70th in the world compared to No. 50 for Costa Rica, came to the CONCACAF championship without star striker Jonathan David, who is with Lille in France.
More Stories
Skinner has confidence of his coach, but playoff goaltending a concern for Oilers
Shapovalov overcomes serve issues to reach 3rd round of Madrid Open | CBC Sports
‘There are kids … who’d rather be dead than gay,’ says former NFL star Carl Nassib who was first active player to publicly identify sexuality