Olympic women's soccer qualifying to be streamed live by CBC Sports

Canadians will be able to watch live on CBCSports.ca and the CBC Sports app as Canada's women's soccer team tries to clinch a trip to Rio at the CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship later this month.

CBC Sports will live stream each of Canada's group-stage matches at the Feb. 11-21 tournament in Houston, and Sportsnet will broadcast Canada's knockout-round matches, including the all-important semifinal in which Canada could secure a spot in this summer's Rio Olympic Games.

CBC Sports' coverage on CBCSports.ca or via the CBC Sports App for iOS and Android will begin on Thursday, Feb. 11 with Canada's first group-stage match against Guyana at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT. Canada will then face Trinidad and Tobago on Feb. 14 at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT before completing the group stage on Feb. 16 at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT when they face Guatemala. 

Sportsnet will carry each of Canada's knockout-round matches on Sportsnet ONE.

"Canada Soccer is pleased to have both CBC Sports and Sportsnet provide live coverage of our women's national team on their Road to Rio," said Canada Soccer general secretary Peter Montopoli. "We know that Canadians from coast to coast followed the team on their emotional journey in capturing the bronze medal at London 2012 and we look forward to the team opening a new chapter in their Olympic storybook."

CBC Sports' live coverage will include its own play-by-play call.

"As Canada's Olympic Network, we are committed to connecting Canadians with the athletes and teams on their journey to proudly wearing the maple leaf at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games," said Greg Stremlaw, executive director, CBC Sports, and general manager and chef de mission for CBC / Radio-Canada's coverage of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. "That connection has already begun through our Road To The Olympic Games program and we have extended the exclusive viewing opportunity to our digital platforms with the live drama of the women's national soccer team's Olympic qualification." 

Canada can progress to the knockout round by placing first or second in Group B and would then compete on Feb. 19 in the semifinals. A victory in the semifinal match would ensure Canada a spot in Rio later this summer, and also a spot in the final in Houston on Feb. 21.

Exact broadcast times of any Canadian knockout matches will be determined during the group stage.  

Canada will play its entire tournament at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, which will also host Group B, the knockout round and the final match.

Canada has twice qualified for the Olympics through the CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship, each timing defeating Mexico in the semifinals to earn an Olympic berth before being defeated by the United States in the final match. Canada went on to place eighth at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and won bronze at the London 2012 Games.