Canada earn impressive 4:0 opening match win at the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup

Canada opened the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup with their largest-ever margin of victory in the confederation championship: a 4:0 victory over Martinique at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The victory gave Canada three points to take an early lead in Group A standings with goals scored by Jonathan David, Junior Hoilett and captain Scott Arfield.

David became just the second Canadian teenager to score at the Concacaf Gold Cup, matching the impressive two-goal debut by Alphonso Davies two years earlier against French Guiana. Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan, meanwhile, set the Canadian record with his fourth Concacaf Gold Cup clean sheet.

“We knew Martinique were going to be a challenge, particularly in transition, but I think the players stuck to the plan and were able to enjoy the moment,” Head Coach John Herdman said.

The victory was the second of the day as part of Canada Soccer’s Super Saturday. Earlier in the day, Canada won 2:0 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 over New Zealand to clinch a spot in the Round of 16. At the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup, Canada will follow up with their second group match on Wednesday 19 June against Mexico before closing out the group on 23 June against Cuba. At France 2019, Canada will close out their group phase on 20 June against Netherlands.

Jonathan David capitalized on a Martinique turnover in the 33’ picking up the errant pass and taking a touch to send Martinique GK Loic Ludovic Chauvet to the ground before finishing for the 1:0 lead that Canada took into halftime.

Early in the second half, David got a second goal on a ball over the top from Samuel Piette in the 53’ by avoiding the offside trap and bringing down the pass before taking a few touches and finishing off the post into the right side of the net. The goals by David mark only the second time a Canadian teenager has scored in the Concacaf Gold Cup following Alphonso Davies’s Golden Boot performance in 2017.

“It feels good, it’s an amazing feeling because I’m representing my country, if I score or assist, I just want to help my team,” said Jonathan David. “We knew this was the first game and everyone is watching so we knew we had to make a statement today and win, and that’s what we did.”

On the third goal, after fighting to win the ball Davies played a beautiful through ball into the box for Junior Hoilett who hit a right footed strike into the back of the net in the 63’.

Canada scored its fourth in the 67’ when Lucas Cavallini picked up the ball in midfield to play Davies wide in space. Davies played a through ball to an advanced Kaye who found Arfield wide open at the top of the Martinique 18 and Arfield took a quick touch and drove it into the net

Canada spent much of the first half using their pace on the wing with Davies and David finding space on and off the ball. Mark-Anthony Kaye had Canada’s first chance in the second minute but put his shot over the bar. Martinique pushed Canada’s backline for the closing minutes of the first half forcing a few big saves from GK Milan Borjan who held the lead heading into halftime.

MATCH CENTRE, QUOTES & PHOTOS : http://canadasoccer.com/?t=match&gid=1536

Canada’s starting XI featured Milan Borjan in goal, Marcus Godinho at right back, Atiba Hutchinson and Derek Cornelius at centre back, Mark-Anthony Kaye at left back, and Jonathan Osorio, Scott Arfield, Samuel Piette, Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David and Junior Hoilett from the midfield up through to the attack. In the second half, coach John Herdman replaced Osorio with Lucas Cavallini (63’), Davies with Liam Millar (69’), and Kaye with Russell Teibert (75’).

CONCACAF GOLD CUP

The Concacaf Gold Cup is the official national team championship of the confederation. Drawing large crowds and millions of television viewers from across the region, the Concacaf Gold Cup is a celebration of soccer, sportsmanship, and culture. For the first time, the 2019 Concacaf Gold will feature 16 participating nations, three host countries, and 17 venues.

Beyond the Concacaf group phase, the top-two teams from each group will advance to the Quarterfinal matches on 29-30 June. The Concacaf Semi-finals are 2-3 July and the championship Final is Sunday 7 July.

CANADA SQUAD & PROFILES : http://canadasoccer.com/?t=project&sid=1289

“Following a strong showing in Concacaf Nations League Qualifying, we need these tougher tests now,” said John Herdman, Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team Head Coach. “The Concacaf Gold Cup will be important for our preparations for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. We have a talented group, but now they will be fully tested in a tournament setting. The team are motivated to do well for Canada.”

CONCACAF CHAMPIONS

Canada are two-time Concacaf champions, having won the Concacaf Championship in 1985 and the Concacaf Gold Cup in 2000. In winning the 1985 Concacaf Championship, Canada qualified for the 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico™; in winning the 2000 Concacaf Gold Cup, Canada qualified for the FIFA Confederations Cup Korea/Japan 2001.

MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM : https://canadasoccer.com/men-s-national-team-p144311

Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Youth Teams, meanwhile, have won two Concacaf titles: both the 1986 and 1996 Concacaf Men’s Youth Championships. Canada have qualified for eight editions of the FIFA U-20 World Cup and six editions of the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

SUMMER OF SOCCER: TOGETHER WE RISE

Canada’s National Teams have embarked on an incredible month of competition during the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ and the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup. Your National Teams are united as “Together We Rise” with the momentum for our game stronger than ever. We urge Canadians to rally behind your National Teams as our Canada Soccer Nation strives for best-ever performances. 

TOGETHER WE RISE: https://canadasoccer.com/together-we-rise-p162202

Two teams, one badge, standing shoulder to shoulder. 

CONCACAF NATIONS LEAGUE

Beyond the Concacaf Gold Cup, Canada will participate in the first edition of Concacaf Nations League this Fall with Group A matches against USA and Cuba. Canada will play host the Cubans 7 September at BMO Field in Toronto, ON before traveling to play away at Cuba on 10 September. Canada will then host United States at BMO Field on 15 October before playing the away leg in United States on 15 November. The top team in Group A will advance to the 2019-20 Concacaf Nations League Semifinal while the third-place team will be relegated to League B for the 2020-21 Concacaf Nations League campaign.

HOME TICKETS : https://canadasoccer.com/tickets

Tickets for Canada’s Concacaf Nations League home matches will go on sale on Wednesday 19 June at 10.00 ET / 07.00 PT via Ticketmaster.ca and by phone at 1.855.985.5000.

Individual match tickets are available starting at just $20 and fans will have the opportunity to save 20% by purchasing a two-match package for both games. The launch of public ticket sales will be preceded by a 24-hour presale offer for Canada Soccer Insiders. Groups of 10+ are eligible for discounts of up to 30% and dedicated sections will be allocated for Canadian supporters as well as those from both Cuba and the United States. For complete ticket information and to submit a group ticket order visit migmultidev-canada-soccer.pantheonsite.io/tickets.