International

Olympic spots on the line for Kessler (U.S.) and Buchanan (Canada) on Sunday night

DL - U.S. and Canada U23s - March 28, 2021

Two spots in the Tokyo Summer Olympics will be on the line on Sunday night, and a pair of New England Revolution players could factor heavily into determining which countries book their tickets to Japan.


Henry Kessler has the chance to help the U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team qualify for their first Olympics since 2008, as they’ll battle Honduras in the first all-important Concacaf Olympic Qualifying Championship semifinal at 6 p.m. ET (FS1, TUDN). The winner will advance to the regional final, but more importantly, secure a trip to Tokyo this summer.


After he was an unused substitute in the Americans’ group stage opener against Costa Rica, Kessler has gone the full 90 minutes in each of the U.S. U23s’ last two games, starting once alongside Real Salt Lake center back Justen Glad and once alongside Chicago Fire defender Mauricio Pineda. Kessler first helped the U.S. shut out the Dominican Republic, 4-0, before earning praise for his performance in the USYNT’s 1-0 loss to Mexico in the group finale.


Tajon Buchanan will then lead Canada into their semifinal against the host nation Mexico, with the Canadians aiming to reach their first Olympic Games since 1984. Kickoff of that match is set for 9 p.m. ET, with coverage also available on FS1 and TUDN.


Buchanan has been the focal point of Canada’s attack thus far in the competition, scoring both goals in their 2-0 win over El Salvador before starting subsequent draws with Haiti and Honduras. The 22-year-old Revolution winger has featured both on the wing and at striker for the Canadians.

Should both Kessler and Buchanan lead the U.S. and Canada to victory (and the Olympics) on Sunday evening, they would then meet in the competition’s final on Tuesday, March 30.


Click HERE for the full schedule and standings for the Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship.