Canada Take First Win In Gold Cup Over Jamaica

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Ali Gerba, Julian DeGuzman, Canada v. Guatemala, Gold Cup, June 16, 2007

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CARSON, Calif.--Canada overcame Jamaica in the first match of the 2009 Gold Cup. A poacher's goal from Toronto FC striker Ali Gerba was the difference between the teams.

CONCACAF's competition began with a double-header in the Home Depot Center, in Carson, Calif. As such, the dominant support was for El Salvador, with both Canadian and Jamaican fans seemingly absent. A few vuvuzelas did make an appearance, though, as the fad from the Confederations Cup seems to have caught on.

First Half

The teams took time to settle into a rhythm, as neither national squad had played a competitive match in a while. Most early chances came through individual ability, rather than collective play.

In the sixth minute, one of the individuals affecting an attack was referee Terry Vaughn. As the Jamaican team attempted to clear the ball, Vaughn deflected it back into the box. Canadian striker Ali Gerba collected and wound up to shoot, but Damion Stewart intercepted with a tremendous sliding challenge.

Early on, Jamaica's Jermaine Johnson started to impose himself. In the 10th minute, him and Ricardo Fuller exchanged passes to set Fuller through. However, the Stoke City player scuffed his shot high and wide. The next time around, Johnson tried his own luck, cutting in from the right flank and curling a left-footed shot around the sprawling Greg Sutton in goal, but also around the far post.

The next player to stand out and affect the game was Canada's Kevin McKenna. The defender found himself on the end of a Julian de Guzman cross, one-touching a looping shot over the head of Donovan Ricketts. However, the 'keeper recovered to acrobatically touch the ball over the crossbeam. Next, McKenna appeared to bring down Johnson in the box after the winger had skipped past three defenders. When the referee whistled, however, he called a dive on Johnson instead, issuing a yellow card to the Jamaican.

As the game moved past the half hour mark, Canada started to take control of possession. De Guzman in particular, sitting behind the midfield bank of four, had plenty of touches which enticed several fouls from his markers.

Canada's next chance fell to de Guzman. The Deportivo La Coruna man attempted a narrow shot from the left which trickled wide. Will Johnson, seeing that the ball would miss, slid in to redirect the shot, but could only push the ball into the side netting.

Second Half

At halftime, Josh Simpson replaced the ineffective Marcel de Jong for Canada. He wasted little time letting the Jamaican defense know he was on the pitch. A cross fell to the substitute in the box, and he unleashed a stinging half-volley which Ricketts pushed over the bar with a reflex save.

Most of the Jamaican offense came through the pace of its attackers, probing into different areas of the Canadian backline, pressing for weaknesses. The first chance of the half, however, didn't rely on pace. Luton Shelton toyed with the ball in the box before laying off for Stewart. Greg Sutton saved the close shot, and Jason Morrison blasted the rebound high.

It was pace that led to the next good chance. McKenna misjudged a pass, allowing Fuller to nip in behind him and bear down on goal. Greg Sutton stood strong in the Canadian net to push the low shot away and preserve his clean sheet.

The breakthrough finally came 75 minutes in. Michael Klunkowski collected from a breakdown in the Jamaican attack and lofted the ball into the box from deep. It looked like the imposing Claude Davis had it marked, but Ali Gerba stuck a foot out and redirected the ball into the far corner of the net, leaving the Jamaicans looking stunned.

From there the Canadians had the best chances, with Ricketts impressing to keep out a pair of opportunities as the clock ticked towards fulltime. When the referee whistled to end the game, Canada held the edge, 1-0.

Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com

For more on CONCACAF visit Goal.com's CONCACAF page.