Gold Cup Recaps: Canada secures 4-1 win over Haiti

Tajon Buchanan and Team Canada returned to Gold Cup group stage action after picking up a decisive 4-1 win over Martinique on Sunday as they took on François Dulysse and Haiti on Thursday evening.

Buchanan looked to continue his offensive output seen in Canada’s 4-1 win over Martinique. Buchanan would earn an assist on Jonathan Osorio’s 20th-minute goal.

Buchanan would also be active in Cyle Larin’s 16th-minute and Stephen Eustáquio’s 27th minute goals.

The 2020 Canadian Youth International Player of the Year earned his sixth cap for the Canadian National Team after being named to the starting XI for Thursday’s match.

Revolution II defender Dulysse would earn his first cap for the Haitian National Team, which has been weakened by a COVID-19 outbreak.

Eustáquio would waste no time netting Canada’s first goal in the 5th minute of the match. After a foul committed by Dutherson Clerveaux, Canada was awarded a free-kick a few yards outside the box. Eustáquio and Lucas Cavallini would stand over the ball. As the referee blew the whistle, Eustáquio would whip the ball over the Haitian wall, past goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre, and into the bottom left corner of the net.

It was a wake-up call for Haiti, who stepped up after conceding the first goal. The scoreline did not reflect it, but Haiti was the better half in the first. Although lacking possession, Haiti capitalized on some shaky Canadian passing as they stole the ball fourteen times and drew eight fouls in the first.

Haiti would also break through the Canadian defense and put some good efforts in offensively, but Maxime Crepeau would not allow Canada’s lead to slip away.

Both sides returned to the field at the start of the second half looking to get back on track and walk away with all three points.

Buchanan would continue his offensive efforts in the 51st minute after helping Cyle Larin double Canada’s lead. After receiving the ball in the midfield, Buchanan would pass it to Jonathan Osorio, who would pass it back as Buchanan darted past Carlens Arcus and took the ball down the left side of the field. Buchanan would use his flashy footwork to work his way past Ricardo Adé and into the box. Once inside the box, Buchanan looked to send a pass towards the center of the box. Dulysse would get a touch on the pass, but it would not be enough as it would find Cyle Larin, who put the ball into the back of the net.

Buchanan looked to bag himself a goal in the 69th minute, but the goalkeeper had other plans as he got both hands to the ball.

Haiti would not go down without a fight, as Stephane Lambese would put Haiti on the board after scoring in the 56th minute.

VAR would be used in the 72nd minute as Alex Christian would commit a foul on Richie Lareya inside the box. After review, Canada was awarded a penalty kick. Larin stepped up to the spot and slotted home his second goal of the match.

Buchanan would exit the match in the 77th minute as he would be replaced by Pasher Tyler.

The Revolution II defender would also exit the match in the 73rd minute after receiving a red card for fouling Ayo Akinola inside the box. Giving Canada another chance from the spot. Junior Hoilett would step up to the spot and slot home Canada’s fourth goal of the game.

With a 4-1 win over Haiti, Canada maintained its hold of first place while pushing their goal differential to +6. Canada will look to earn a spot in the quarterfinals with a United States win over Martinique.

Canada and the United States close out group stage action on July 18th as they kickoff at 8:00 PM on FS1.