Canada opened their 2022 Concacaf Nations League campaign with a 4:0 home win over Curaao followed by a 2:1 away loss in San Pedro Sula to Honduras. The two-match split leaves Canada in second place with three points and a +3 goals difference behind first-place Honduras (six points on three matches) and last-place Curaao (three points from three matches with -4 goals difference).
It was a tough loss on Monday 13 June on a waterlogged pitch at Estadio Olimpico in Honduras. The hosts scored a goal in each half before Jonathan David cut the lead late in the second half.
“It was a difficult game, a really difficult game in Honduras and they managed the game better, said John Herdman, Canada Soccers Mens National Team Head Coach. It was like trying to perform with a Formula 1 car on an off-road track. All credit to the boys for just being up for the fight. I thought we had some good moments before they scored, but all credit to Honduras. This is Concacaf and these are the learnings. I thought our boys just kept plugging away and it was nice to see the ball go in (near the end).
As part of this international window, Canada also won 4:0 over Curaao on Thursday 9 June at BC Place in Vancouver, extending the Mens National Team record, unbeaten home streak to 15 matches (14-1-0), including a joint record of seven-straight home wins since 8 September 2021. Canadas goalscorers in the 9 June match were Alphonso Davies (two), Steven Vitria, and Lucas Cavallini.
CANADA 9 JUNE MATCH CENTRE : https://canadasoccer.com/national-teams/matches/national-team-match-past/?matchId=3246
CANADA 13 JUNE MATCH CENTRE : https://canadasoccer.com/national-teams/matches/national-team-match-past/?matchId=3247
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAAtvSuakEo
PHOTOS (EDITORIAL USE) : https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=46765827@N08&view_all=1&text=202206 nations league
CONCACAF NATIONS LEAGUE
This is the second edition of Concacaf Nations League which also serves as direct qualification to the Concacaf Gold Cup. From Concacaf Nations League A, the top-two teams in Canadas group will qualify for the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup while the last-place team will be relegated to Concacaf Nations League B and further qualification matches for the Concacaf Gold Cup. Along with these two matches in June, the three nations will face each other once again in March 2023 when Canada hosts Honduras and travels to Curaao.
CANADA SOCCERS MENS NATIONAL TEAM PROGRAM
Canada Soccers Mens National Team are the reigning Kings of Concacaf, having finished first overall in the Concacaf Final Round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers from September 2021 to March 2022. It marked the third time that Canada Soccers Mens National Team won a Concacaf title, having previously won the 1985 Concacaf Championship and the 2000 Concacaf Gold Cup. Canada now look forward to their second participation at the mens FIFA World Cup with group matches against Belgium on 23 November, Croatia on 27 November, and Morocco on 1 December.
CONCACAF NATIONS LEAGUE / LIGUE DES NATIONS DE LA CONCACF
2022-06-09 CAN 4:0 CUW
Vancouver, BC, CAN
OneSoccer ; BC Place, att. 17,216
CANADA : 18 GK Milan Borjan; 2 Alistair Johnston, 5 Steven Vitria, 4 Kamal Miller, 3 Samuel Adekugbe, 11 Tajon Buchanan (9 Lucas Cavallini 76), 7 Stephen Eustquio, 13 Atiba Hutchinson capt. (6 Samuel Piette 66), 19 Alphonso Davies (12 Ik Ugbo 76), 20 Jonathan David (22 Richie Laryea 66), 17 Cyle Larin (10 Junior Hoilett 66).
GOALS / BUTS
CAN 27 Alphonso Davies (PK left foot / pied gauche) 1-0
CAN 42 Steven Vitria (head / tte) 2-0 (a. Jonathan David)
CAN 75 Alphonso Davies (left / gauche) 3-0 (a. Richie Laryea)
CAN 81 Lucas Cavallini (left / gauche) 4-0 (a. Samuel Adekugbe)
2022-06-13 CAN 1:2 HON
San Pedro Sula, HON
OneSoccer ; Estadio Olimpico
CANADA : 18 GK Milan Borjan; 2 Alistair Johnston, 5 Steven Vitria (15 Doneil Henry 59), 4 Kamal Miller, 11 Tajon Buchanan, 7 Stephen Eustquio, 13 Atiba Hutchinson capt. (Mark-Anthony Kaye 66), 19 Alphonso Davies, 12 Ike Ugbo (20 Jonathan David 59) 22 Richie Laryea (17 Cyle Larin 67), 10 Junior Hoilett (Sam Adekugbe 59)
GOALS / BUTS
HON 13 Kevin Lopez (right / pied gauche) 1-0
HON 78 Kervin Arriaga (right / pied gauche) 2-0
CAN 86 Jonathan David (right / pied gauche) 2-1 (a. Cyle Larin)