2025 Gold Cup: Curacao & El Salvador disappointing, while Canada destroying
A poor draw in San Jose, while Canada smashes Honduras in Vancouver
The final matchday for the first group stage games has finally come to an end as Group B completes the start of the group stage. This group considered the group of death, as an improved Curacao side took on El Salvador, while Canada linked up again with one of their Central American rivals in Honduras.
CURACAO 0:0 EL SALVADOR
It was supposed to be an improved side that showed during the CONCACAF Nations League Group Stage and the second round of World Cup Qualifying that Curacao was going to knock on the door and do something in this Gold Cup.
They defended well, and they brought up the ball well, but something wasn't clicking in the final third to put a fantastic shot into the back of the net or any shot into the back of the net. You had to feel for head coach Dick Advocaat as he looked frustrated and disappointed at the bench.
Give El Salvador credit for frustrating Curacao, blocking the passing lanes, and just finding ways to make them feel uncomfortable when they had the ball. They tried to shock the Caribbean side, but even the Salvadorians couldn't convert on their chances either.
CANADA 5:0 HONDURAS
Les Rouge headed to BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, as Canada came out of nowhere and put a six spot on their Central American nemesis, Honduras, to take the top spot in Group B.
The opening goal came in the 27th minute as Canada attacked down the far side. It is a bit of a give-and-go as Jonathan David received and returned the ball to Niko Sigur as he made a run and smashed it in.
In first half stoppage time, Canada attacked down the near side, then we saw a wonder goal that came out of nowhere. Richie Laryea saw Tani Oluwaseyi make a run, and out of nowhere, he made a turn and fell at the same time to get his left foot bomb across the face of the goal and inside the upper far 90.
In the second half, Canada continued to pour it on. In the 47th minute, Laryea attacked down the far side and made a hard, low pass across the area. Oluwaseyi dummied the ball, allowing Tajon Buchanan to receive it on the near side and shot it up high to make it three.
Buchanan got his brace in the 65th minute. The ball got crossed from the far corner as Oluwaysei tried to head it in, but was stopped. Buchanan was at the right place at the right time to tap it in past Edrick Menjivar to make it four.
They added more goals as Promise David delivered a quirky deflection as he stabbed at the ball in front of Menjivar, and it pinballed off the inside of the far post and in at the 75th minute, then a rocket of a shot by Nathan Saliba inside the 90th minute.
Even though head coach Jesse Marsch was suspended for this match due to his tirade against the officials in the 3rd place match of the CONCACAF Nations League, this was a brilliant performance for all of Canada to see.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18TH
COSTA RICA Vs. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 7:00 PM EDT FS1
SURINAME Vs. MEXICO 10:00 PM EDT FS1
Canada are looking like a team on the move.
It was good to see several MLS players have a good showing.
What is Jesse Marsch's secret?! How long is his contract with Canada Soccer? Given what he has achieved with the Canadian MNT, it seems he would be easy for him to return to the MLS --or perhaps even the Premier League?