After a very underwhelming performance against Curacao, the Canadian men’s national team had to face El Salvador to win their Gold Cup group.
The Gold Cup had a lot of physicality and buffoonery so far. This game might have taken the cake. Canada needed to win to top Group B. They did and it wasn’t pretty. But after dealing with El Salvador, who thought they were playing hockey, it was fair to say they deserved to go through.
First half: The most CONCACAF half ever
This match was physical right from kickoff. In just 20 minutes, there were two yellow cards and 10 fouls.
Referee Joe Dickerson was really earning his money as this felt like a street fight rather than a soccer game. There was even a very long stoppage due to an apparent injury to El Salvador’s Santos Ortiz, who seemed OK despite bleeding.
Unfortunately, Canada was having trouble testing El Salvador goalkeeper Mario Gonzalez. The passing and build-up play was all over the place and they lacked an attacking threat despite dominating possession. The c’mon do something meme told the story of Canada’s attack.
It felt like this game wouldn’t end 11 vs 11. Ten minutes before halftime, Ortiz saw red. No, not from the blood dripping from his head, but from a second yellow for a rough tackle on Niko Sigur. Now, this was a big opportunity to wake up and do something.
The best chance for Canada in the first half was from a wonderful ball from Derek Cornelius. Unfortunately, Promise David’s header was just wide. That was the chance and that needed to be in the back of the net.
Shaffelburg tried to use his speed to make something happen before half time and it worked as he was clipped from behind by Jefferson Valladeres As a result, a penalty was given to Canada. However, Jonathan David was denied by Gonzalez. Not a great pen from Canada’s captain.
But this half continued to truly be very CONCACAF. Jairo Henriquez got his elbow up on Alistair Johnston and got a straight red. El Salvador frustrated Canada with their defensive shape and their WWE Royal Rumble-style tactics.
That half was truly something else. The average CONCACAF experience. Oh yeah, stoppage time went up to the 55th minute and there wasn’t a single shot on target for either team, aside from David’s missed penalty. Welcome to CONCACAF.
And there’s more: El Salvador’s physio got sent off.
Second half: Canada finishes El Salvador off
Canada looked to bypass El Salvador’s butcher soccer.
They came out quickly with their transitions and were winning the ball back. Canada came out with a bang, just like the drums in a Gojira song. Just over six minutes into the half, Jonathan David made up for his first-half missed penalty with a very tidy finish. What a ball from Mathieu Choinière too.
Niko Sigur was using the Gold Cup to prove he could start for Canada, as he started against Honduras and Curacao. He made another strong case by assisting Tajon Buchanan’s fourth goal in five games in June. That was more like it. Canada came out of the second half changing their tune and they were sharper instead of flat.
From that moment on, Canada had to be smart and head coach Jesse Marsch made quick substitutions. The Davids and Derek Cornelius for Cyle Larin, Daniel Jebbison and Joel Waterman. Canada just passed the ball around like it was playground soccer. And if this game couldn’t get any more bizarre, the sky camera fell after the ball hit it.
After the second goal, Canada was cautious but wanted a third goal. It didn’t come but that didn’t matter. For the first time since 2009, Canada won their group at the Gold Cup.
They managed to hold off El Salvador’s fight club ball and got the win.
Stat of the match
Per FotMob, there were 30 fouls in this match.
Tweet of the match
That sums it up.
Wrap-up
As a result of winning Group B, Canada will face Guatemala in the Gold Cup quarterfinals. That game takes place on June 29 at US Bank Stadium In Minneapolis, Minnesota. Kickoff is at 1 pm Pacific.
