The road to the World Cup in Russia 2018 began with important wins for both the United States and Canada. However unfortunately it happened on a day that was sadly overshadowed by the tragic events that have taken place in Paris. The entire soccer family paid their respects in different ways, the US and Canada included.
JK: “We are well aware of what happened today. Our thoughts are with the families in Paris.”
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) November 14, 2015
USA 6-1 St. Vincent & The Grenadines
The USMNT were in action against St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who are ranked 129 in the world, and 18 in the CONCACAF teams. The crowd in St. Louis were very vocal and made for a brilliant atmosphere during the game. This no doubt helped spur the US on to netting six goals to walk away with a vital three points despite it being something of a routine win.
It didn’t start exactly as planned though. The away side took the lead within five minutes through Oalex Anderson. The Seattle Sounders FC 2 youngster has already amassed 20 caps for his national team and has found the back of the net 10 times in those 20 games.
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Just over five minutes later, the home side had drawn level thanks to Bobby Wood. The build-up play cam from Michael Bradley and Gyasi Zardes. It was Zardes who played a perfect cross that Wood headed into the net. Wood spent the next few periods of play going very close but was unable to add another goal to his name.
Then, on the half-hour mark the US took the lead with a goal from Fabian Johnson. His effort was neatly put away just by the right post. The USA were well in control by this point and just two minutes later had another goal through Jozy Altidore. After a sluggish start, the US had taken a 3-1 lead going in at half-time.
In the second-half, the game was all USA although Oalex Anderson did have another chance at goa.l But Brad Guzan was there to stop him getting a second. Geoff Cameron headed home to make it four to the USA just over five minutes later. But the US were not done there. Zardes was played in by Alitdore and put the ball through goalkeeper McDowell’s legs to make it 5-1.
Jordan Morris entered the fray, the future of US Soccer coming on to earn his sixth cap for the senior side. But if Morris is the future, Jozy Altidore certainly is the present. He added another to make it six for the US, and put him fourth in the all-time USMNT scoring list. His goal proved to be the games final goal and it finished 6-1 to the US.
With that goal, @JozyAltidore moves into sole possession of 4th on the #USMNT goal scoring list (31). #USAvVIN pic.twitter.com/ptIV4D3jnf
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) November 14, 2015
Canada 1-0 Honduras
Canada faced significantly better opposition in Honduras, who took part in the previous World Cup at Brazil 2014. Canada fielded a side that included MLS Rookie of the Year Cyle Larin and QPR midfielder Junior Hoillett who made his official debut for the The Canucks because it was a Qualifying Game. He had previously appeared in a friendly earlier in the year for his first overall cap.
Vancouver was bouncing as the home side managed to pull off a great win in front of a record crowd; and get World Cup qualification underway in the best way possible. Cyle Larin got the games only goal. He was put in by Will Johnson and headed home to put Canada in the driving seat. Will Johnson himself was set up thanks to a Junior Hoilett-Atiba Hutchison combination down the left flank.
The Canadians were playing some nice, attacking play. There was an emphasis on retaining possession and clearly Benito Flores’ game-plan worked because they managed to grind out the result that they needed. It is also a good sign going forward for Canada if they can keep up that type of play.
Attendance 20,108 - new #CANMNT attendance record in the province of British Columbia. Well done #CanadaRED
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 14, 2015
Next: Which World Cup legend is coming to MLS?
The USMNT take on Trinidad & Tobago next time on November 17. Meanwhile Canada face off against El Salvador on the same day. Both will hope they can repeat their individual successes again.