Moment 2: Canada wins CONCACAF Gold Cup

In 2000, Canada won its second confederation title, winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup to qualify for the FIFA Confederations Cup Korea/Japan 2001. Undefeated in five matches, Canada famously defeated Mexico on a quarter-final golden goal before knocking off Trinidad and Tobago in the semi-final phase and Colombia in the championship final. After draws against Costa Rica and Korea Republic in the opening two matches, Canada won its first elimination match in fine fashion on 20 February after Richard Hastings scored two minutes into extra time. Canada then won its next two matches 1:0 and 2:0 before captain Jason de Vos lifted Canada’s second CONCACAF trophy.

Goalkeeper Craig Forrest was named the tournament’s most valuable player while Carlo Corazzin won the Top Scorer award. Canada also won the Fair Play award.

One year after Canada’s confederation win, Canada participated in the eight-team FIFA Confederations Cup, finishing seventh overall after a draw and two losses in the group phase. Canada lost 0:3 to Japan, drew 0:0 with Brazil, and then lost 0:2 to Cameroun. Defender Jim Brennan was selected a tournament all-star. As it turns out, the tournament would prove to be the swan song for Forrest’s international career, who made his 56th and final appearance on 4 June 2001.

The Canadian Soccer Association celebrates its 100th anniversary throughout the 2012 calendar year. While soccer (football) has been played in Canada since 1876, the Canadian Soccer Association (or the Dominion of Canada Football Association as it was known in the day) was inaugurated on 24 May 1912. As part of the centennial celebrations, the Canadian Soccer Association will unveil the “Top-10 Moments” in Canadian soccer history as well as engage soccer fans to select the “All-Time Canada XI” teams for men’s and women’s football. The celebrations will culminate with Canada’s two Centennial Matches – a Women’s International Friendly on 30 May in Moncton and a Men’s International Friendly match on 3 June in Toronto.

Tickets to Canada’s 3 June Centennial home match – as well three FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in June, September and October – are available via Ticketmaster (ticketmaster.ca / 1.855.570.7500) with full details at CanadaSoccer.com/seetheerise. Also to celebrate Canada’s 100th anniversary, Canada’s men’s and women’s national teams will wear a special blue Centennial Kit tailored by Umbro. The kit will be worn exclusively by the men on 3 June and by the women for a second Centennial match on 30 June at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, UT, USA. Limited quantities of Canada’s Centennial clothing line – including jersey, anthem jacket and cap – are available exclusively at CanadaSoccer.com.