Canada starts World Cup qualifying with away victory over Dominica
Canada opened its World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory at Dominica on Thursday.
Striker Cyle Larin scored the first goal and drew the penalty that led to the second as the Canadians looked disjointed at times but ultimately in control over the island nation.
Larin opened the scoring in the fifth minute, when he slipped behind the Dominican back line along the right side and slid a low side-footer under the onrushing goalkeeper.
The Canadians wouldn't find the back of the net for the rest of the first half, however, as Dominica packed the defensive third quite effectively in the face of overwhelming possession by the visiting side.
The second half started off with much of the same from both sides, with Canada trying to unlock a disciplined Dominican defense. Larin would eventually find his way through after making an impressive individual run to beat three defenders before being taking down in the penalty area in the 64th minute. Russell Teibert stepped up to take the ensuing spot kick and slammed a powerful effort into the top right corner of the net to give Canada a 2-0 lead.
Teibert almost doubled his tally just moments later when he whipped in a cross that somehow missed everyone in front of goal and rang off the post.
The Canadians smelled blood as the half wore on, and with Dominica tiring out nearly all of the play took place in the home side's half of the field. Midway through the half, Julian de Guzman forced 'keeper Glenson Prince into a sprawling save after the Canadian captain directed a powerful header on target.
The match seemed to be heading to an uneventful conclusion as Canada passed the ball around and looked to kill out the remainder of the game, but an errant back pass by de Guzman in the 80th minute allowed a Domincan player to race in alone on Milan Borjan. Despite being outside the penalty area, the Canadian netminder instinctively grabbed at the ball as it was chipped above his head and the referee was forced to show Borjan a red card.
Veteran 'keeper Kenny Stamatopoulos had to sub in for the ensuing free kick, but the 35-year-old was not tested by the wayward shot.
Despite being down a man, it was Canada that came closest to getting the next goal. Substitute Maxim Tissot was nearly rewarded for a nice bit of individual brilliance as the Montreal Impact midfielder turned a couple of defenders and unleashed a rocket from 25 yards that required a superb finger-tip save by Prince.
In the end, the 2-0 scoreline held up in a match that was never really in doubt despite the relatively slim margin of victory for Canada.
Both teams will head to Toronto for next week's return leg at BMO Field on Tuesday. The winner will advance the the next round of qualifiers -- another home-and-away series against CONCACAF opposition in September.
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