Trinidad Faces Guatemala Seeking Rebound from Rout

With barely 48 hours to recover from the shell shock of its 4-0 pounding by Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago tries to regroup and salvage its Gold Cup 2000 campaign tonight at the Coliseum when it faces Guatemala at 9.

In the first game of tonight’s soccer doubleheader, Canada, which tied Costa Rica in its opener Sunday, will play South Korea at 7.

Trinidad was a decided underdog against defending Gold Cup champion Mexico, especially while playing in front of a pro-Mexico crowd in San Diego, but the four-goal rout was surprising. Trinidad features perhaps the best individual player in the tournament, Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke, the first player from the North and Central American region to be nominated for the prestigious European club player of the year award.

Yorke had two prime scoring chances against Mexico, the first at a critical juncture. Mexico led by only a goal in the 51st minute when Yorke teed up with Mexico goalkeeper Oscar Perez off his line, only to have defender Sergio Almaguer clear the ball at the last instant. Moments later, Luis Hernandez converted for Mexico and the game, essentially, was over.

Yorke also had a penalty kick blocked by Perez in the 89th minute.

To remain in contention for a quarterfinal spot, Trinidad must defeat Guatemala tonight--and then hope Mexico scores a similarly one-sided victory over Guatemala Thursday night at the Coliseum.

Canada faces a South Korean side consisting largely of players from the under-23 team that recently qualified for the Olympics.