Canada cakewalked into the next round of World Cup qualifying with a 4-0 win (6-0 on aggregate) over Dominica at Toronto’s BMO Field on Tuesday evening.
FC Dallas striker Tesho Akindele and Orlando City SC striker Cyle Larin scored first-half goals for the home side, while Tosaint Ricketts added a second-half brace (his ninth and 10th goals for Canada) to wrap things up.
Akindele’s goal, a powerful low blast in the fourth minute, was his first goal for Canada in just his second game with the team. Larin, meanwhile, collected his third goal in as many games for Canada with a beautiful 20-yard curler before halftime.
Ricketts got his first by converting an excellent low cross from Akindele, while his second was a coolly-finished breakaway following an equally-excellent through ball from Jonathan Osorio.
Canada, unsurprisingly, dominated the game from the beginning, outmuscling the overmatched visitors and sending wave after wave of attacks at Dominica goalkeeper Glenson Prince. Prince largely held his own, making numerous impressive saves – including stopping a second-half penalty kick from defender David Edgar.
Canada head coach Benito Floro made four changes to the starting XI from Thursday’s first leg, a 2-0 win in Dominica, with Kenny Stamatopoulos in goal for the suspended Milan Borjan, Edgar in for Manjrekar James at center back, Osorio in for Russell Teibert in the midfield and Ashtone Morgan in for Karl Ouimette at fullback.
Midfielder Atiba Hutchinson missed both games due to injury, while Portland Timbers captain Will Johnson was with the team but – coming off an eight-month recovery from a broken leg – didn’t see the field in either game.
Canada now moves into the third round of qualifying in CONCACAF, in which they’ll play another home-and-away in September against an opponent that will be determined in a draw on July 25.
The win also gives Canada their first four-game winning streak since 2009, after recent victories over Guatemala and Puerto Rico. The streak provides some welcome momentum ahead of a crucial CONCACAF Gold Cup next month, in which Canada will face sterner tests against El Salvador, Jamaica and Costa Rica.
