If ever there were a team favored to win its group, it would be Canada. They played host to St. Lucia in their opening match of Group D play in Toronto. However, the Canucks were not on top of their game. Turkey-based Josh Simpson found a way to sloppily finish a goal six minutes into the match, but St. Lucia punished lax defending to equalize with a low strike from distance one measly minute later. The 1-1 halftime result was surely a shock to the fans in attendance.
In the second half, Canada drew a penalty on a hand ball in the box five minutes after the restart. Star midfielder Dwayne De Rosario calmly slotted home for 2-1. Simpson scored on a through ball after the hour mark. Pernal Williams was sent off for a second yellow card, leaving St. Lucia with ten men for the final three minutes plus stoppage time. Will Johnson scored his first international goal in stoppage time, giving Canada a 4-1 win to top the group.
St. Kitts and Nevis hosted Puerto Rico before its crowd in Basseterre. The first half featured lots of open play, but too many turnovers lead to few shots on goal and a scoreless first forty-five minutes.
The second half of play opened up nicely for the hosts, but they were never able to convert their superiority into a goal, so the game ended as it had begun, 0-0. St. Kitts and Nevis travel to play at St. Lucia on Tuesday. Puerto Rico go home to host Canada, also on Tuesday.
Canada
Josh Simpson 6, 61
Dwayne De Rosario 51 PK
Will Johnson 90+1
St. Lucia
Tremain Paul 7
Match Reports:
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daL2oINNjm0 (Canada v. St. Lucia)
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