Played
September 2, 2011 8:05 PM EDT
BMO Field — Toronto, Ontario
Referee: J. Marrufo
Attendance: 11500
September 2, 2011 8:05 PM EDT
BMO Field — Toronto, Ontario
Referee: J. Marrufo
Attendance: 11500
Canada 4-1 St. Lucia: Josh Simpson double eases Canucks to win in opening World Cup qualifier
Canada kicked off its World Cup qualifying journey with a 4-1 win over St. Lucia. BMO Field hosted 11,500 for the event.
By Zac Lee Rigg
Jason Gemnich
Canada kicked off its 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign with a win. Josh Simpson hit a brace, Dwayne De Rosario scored a penalty and Will Johnson notched late to ease the Canucks to a 4-1 win over St. Lucia after an early scare.
Despite conceding an early equalizer, Canada dominated most of the match, outshooting St. Lucia 31-6, and holding 78 percent of the possession.
Josh Simpson scored his first in the sixth minute to give Canada an early lead at Toronto's BMO Field. However, St. Lucia hit back within a minute through a Tremain Paul shot that snuck under a series of legs.
The 1-1 scoreline lasted until the half, with St. Lucia goalkeeper Iran Cassius pulling off several high-quality saves to keep his side level.
In the second half Canada took the game beyond its Caribbean opponent.
An Ante Jazic cross was handled in the box and De Rosario scored the penalty to give Canada the lead once more. The goal moved DeRo, who is participating in his fourth World Cup qualifying campaign, up to 18 international goals, tying him at second on the all-time list for the Canucks.
Josh Simpson tucked away a left-footed shot on a breakaway to make it 3-1 as Canada piled on the pressure. When Pernal Williams collected his second yellow in the 88th minute, the result was all but assured.
Canada added one more when two substitutes connected. De Rosario chipped a teasing cross to the far post, where Tosaint Ricketts nodded it back across goal. Real Salt Lake midfielder Will Johnson tapped it home for his first international goal.
Canada's next CONCACAF Stage Two World Cup qualifier is against Puerto Rico on Sept. 6.
Despite conceding an early equalizer, Canada dominated most of the match, outshooting St. Lucia 31-6, and holding 78 percent of the possession.
Josh Simpson scored his first in the sixth minute to give Canada an early lead at Toronto's BMO Field. However, St. Lucia hit back within a minute through a Tremain Paul shot that snuck under a series of legs.
The 1-1 scoreline lasted until the half, with St. Lucia goalkeeper Iran Cassius pulling off several high-quality saves to keep his side level.
In the second half Canada took the game beyond its Caribbean opponent.
An Ante Jazic cross was handled in the box and De Rosario scored the penalty to give Canada the lead once more. The goal moved DeRo, who is participating in his fourth World Cup qualifying campaign, up to 18 international goals, tying him at second on the all-time list for the Canucks.
Josh Simpson tucked away a left-footed shot on a breakaway to make it 3-1 as Canada piled on the pressure. When Pernal Williams collected his second yellow in the 88th minute, the result was all but assured.
Canada added one more when two substitutes connected. De Rosario chipped a teasing cross to the far post, where Tosaint Ricketts nodded it back across goal. Real Salt Lake midfielder Will Johnson tapped it home for his first international goal.
Canada's next CONCACAF Stage Two World Cup qualifier is against Puerto Rico on Sept. 6.
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Peter Byers Striker |
10 | 1 |
|
B. Pérez Striker FC Dallas |
9 | 0 |
|
Clint Dempsey Midfielder Tottenham |
7 | 1 |
|
A. Saborío Striker RSL |
7 | 1 |
|
|
Deon McCalauy Midfielder Belize |
7 | 1 |
