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Three Takeaways: The CanMNT Fast Start Key In 4-1 Win

Soccer: Fifa World Cup Qualifier-Jamaica at Candada as Cyle Larin Scores With a CanMNT Fast Start

TORONTO, ON – The CanMNT’s fast start to the game set the tone for the game and the match. It put Honduras on the back foot and made them catch up for most of the game. As a result of the win, Canada will be going to Las Vegas in June to face Panama.

This is the first time the CanMNT will be in the Concacaf Nations League A and they have shown why this is a different team from the past.

The CanMNT Fast Start Leads to a 4-1 Win

Three Keys to the Game

Cyle Larin Leads the CanMNT’s Fast Start at BMO Field

Cyle Larin was on fire to start the game. This includes scoring two goals in the first 11 minutes of the game.

Larin played really well as Canada was able to find him often in the game. He had another chance shortly afterward but was unable to control the ball. Additionally, the penalty earned by Alphonso Davies gave Larin the opportunity to earn himself a hat-trick. Unfortunately, for Larin, he missed the net with his penalty and was unable to earn the hat-trick. However, the positive start from the get-go forced Honduras to play a more aggressive game.

This is what Canada head coach, Herdman, said of Larin’s form in the post-game press conference:

“Well, he’s gonna go out on a high. I know that for sure. I think when you look at Cyle when he came into that World Cup, he had like 100 minutes in four months. I mean, that’s not Cyle Larin and wasn’t Larin that we saw through World Cup qualification. You know, we had a number of players that were at a World Cup at that, So what I would say out of real match rhythm out of that real tier-one edge rhythm, but he has that out now, he’s at that now as he is in a tier-one league scoring goals.”

Larin currently plays for Real Valladolid CF and has been scoring many goals for his team. He will have a big game against Real Madrid on Sunday at 10:15 AM ET.

Honduras Did Not Trouble the CanMNT

Honduras had chances to score, as they had six shots. Unfortunately, they also only had one shot on goal. Now that shot on goal resulted in a goal for Jorge Benguché. However, other than that, Honduras never really tested CanMNT goalkeeper Milan Borjan and part of that is the amount of possession and opportunities Canada had. However, another part was Honduras’s inability to get a shot on target. A few examples of this include:

  • Oscar Almendárez missed the target in the 54-minute, which was one of their best chances and happened because of a rare miscue from the Canadian defence.
  • Walter Martínez hit the post in the 61-minute.

There were also other chances Honduras had but were not close enough for Borjan to be concerned about. All in all, Honduras was not able to capture the magic they had in the 1-1 draw at BMO Field in World Cup qualifying.

The CanMNT Had the Possession and the Opportunities

Canada really had all the momentum of the match. That quick start really played a big role in that their best players stepped up for the big game. They were able to move the game quickly as Alphonso Davies and Buchanan did a good job of moving the ball up the field.

READ MORE: Alistair Johnston Returns: CanMNT Predicted Lineup vs Honduras

  • The goal was scored by Jonathan Osorio thanks to quick passes made by Alistair Johnston and Ayo Akinola.
  • Buchanan was able to drive the ball into Honduras’s box, Larin was unable to get to the ball, but David scored as was able to get to the ball to make it 3-0 Canada.

There was also Tajon Buchanan, who created a great scoring chance, but Jonathan David was unable to take advantage of it. The CanMNT really dominated the game from start to finish, with 65 percent of the possession and seven shots on goal, they were the better team. What can be said about this game against Honduras and the game against Curacao, is that the players know who to pass the ball to. They do it at such a high level, and they made something difficult look easy and flawless.

Other Factors

Atiba Hutchinson played his 100th game for the CanMNT. Hutchinson has been with the team since 2002 and will look to win some trophies at the end of this year. The other headline is that both teams made some good defensive plays with Alistair Johnston in the second half and Johnny Leverón in the first half.

Also, Canada is an elite team and other Concacaf teams have noticed. This is what the Honduran head coach, Diego Vásquez, said about CanMNT:

“They’re a very strong and deep squad and you can tell that there has been a process with the coach and that it’s been working for quite a while and that it’s a result of having players playing in the elite leagues in Europe as well.”

Examples of this include David with Lille OSC and Davies with FC Bayern Munich as Canada has now become one of the best teams in Concacaf.

Games Coming Up For the CanMNT

READ MORE: Dayne St. Clair: The Young and Promising CanMNT Goalkeeper

With the CanMNT advancing to the Concacaf Nations League Final in Las Vegas, they will face stiffer competition in June. Their next opponent is Panama, who surprisingly defeated Costa Rica a few hours after Canada beat Honduras. That game will kick off on June 15 at 10:00 p.m. ET in Las Vegas, Nevada. It will be shown live on OneSoccer and Telus.

As for Honduras, they will need to prepare for the Concacaf Gold Cup. That tournament will take place in July-August.

 

Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports on March 27, 2022, of Cyle Larin’s Headshot.

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