Canadian women in favourable group for Olympic soccer qualifying

Canada has been drawn in a pool with Guatemala, Guyana, and Trinidad & Tobago at the CONCACAF Olympic women's soccer qualifying tournament.

The eight-country event runs Feb. 10-21 in Houston and Frisco, Tex. The two finalists will represent North and Central America and the Caribbean at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Monday's draw likely sets up a final between Canada, ranked 11th in the world, and the top-ranked Americans. The Canadians will probably have to get past Mexico in the semifinal.

The Canadian women, who won bronze at the 2012 Games in London, will play their Group B matches in Houston.

Canada will be favoured over No. 48 Trinidad & Tobago, No. 84 Guatemala and No. 92 Guyana.

The United States, as host country, was placed in Group A with No. 26 Mexico, No. 34 Costa Rica and No. 115 Puerto Rico and will play its group matches in Frisco.

Schedule (All times in ET)

Group A
Wednesday, Feb. 10 At Frisco, Texas

• Puerto Rico vs. Mexico, 6 p.m.
• United States vs. Costa Rica, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 13 At Frisco, Texas

• Costa Rica vs. Puerto Rico, 1:30 p.m.
• Mexico vs. United States, 4 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 15 At Frisco, Texas

• Mexico vs. Costa Rica, 6 p.m.
• United States vs. Puerto Rico, 8:30 p.m.

Group B

Thursday, Feb. 11 At Houston

• Guatemala vs. Trinidad and Tobago, 6 p.m.
• Canada vs. Guyana, 8:30 p.m. 

Sunday, Feb. 14 At Houston

• Guyana vs. Guatemala, 1:30 p.m.
• Trinidad and Tobago vs. Canada, 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 16 At Houston

• Trinidad and Tobago vs. Guyana, 6 p.m.
• Canada vs. Guatemala, 8:30 p.m.

Semifinals

Winners qualify Friday, Feb. 19 At Houston

• Group B winner vs. Group A second place, 5:30 p.m.
• Group A winner vs. Group B second place, 8:30 p.m.

Championship

Sunday, Feb. 21 At Houston

Semifinal winners, 5 p.m.