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Canada's soccer men 1 win away from 2016 Rio Olympics

Canada's men's Under-23 soccer team is one victory away from qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics but they'll have to play giant-killer to defeat Mexico in a semifinal match on Saturday in Sandy, Utah.

Canada, with a record of 1-1-1 in the qualifying tournament thus far plays in the second semifinal at 6 p.m. ET against Olympic champion Mexico, which sport a perfect 3-0-0 record in the tournament. The United States meets Honduras in the earlier semifinal with the two winners provided spots at next summer's Olympics.

"It is a big opportunity for us and the whole Canada Soccer nation," said Canadian captain Samuel Piette. "We are just one win away from a spot at the Rio 2016 Olympics."

The two losing teams from Saturday's semifinals will have one more chance to qualify for the Olympics as they will play in the third-place match Tuesday, Oct. 13. with the winner moving on to face Colombia in a home-and-away series. Tuesday will also see the championship game for the tournament.

Mexico has won all four CONCACAF youth tournaments since the London 2012 Olympics (CONCACAF Under-20 and CONCACAF Under-17 in 2013 and 2015). At the most recent Olympic qualifying tournament for London 2012, Mexico eliminated 10-man Canada in the 2012 CONCACAF men's Olympic Qqalifying semifinals in Kansas, Kan.

After opening the tournament with a 3-1 loss to the United States, Canada rebounded to defeat Panama by the same score and draw 2-2 with Cuba.