SEATTLE – It was an improved performance after their disappointing start to the Gold Cup, but Canada is still looking for their first point of the competition after dropping a 2-0 decision to Mexico at CenturyLink Field on Thursday night.
Raul Jimenez headed in a corner kick late in the first half and Marco Fabian converted a penalty he had dubiously won in the 57th minute as the Mexicans got their first win of the tournament.
Mexico dominated possession early but Canada remained compact to largely keep Mexico to the outside as slowly but surely the Canadians found their legs.
OPTA CHALKBOARD: Canada hold their own in loss
In the 29th minute Canada won a free kick just inside the Mexico half on the right side after some good passing kept the Mexicans off-guard. Toronto FC midfielder Kyle Bekker took the set piece, which was earmarked for Marcus Haber at the back post. Despite being marked well, Haber rose well and forced a fine diving save from Jonathan Orozco.
Already with a depleted lineup for a number of reasons, Canada had Haber limp off at halftime with an apparent injury. He never came back for the second half and was replaced by Tosaint Ricketts.
With three minutes remaining in the first half, Fabian forced Milan Borjan to make a quality save that went out for a corner. With that chance, Jorge Enriquez took a near-post corner kick that was flicked into the middle. Jimenez was left unmarked and his diving header found the target.
Canada came out with some decent spells in possession to start the second half but there wasn’t much they could do when Fabian tried running onto a through ball in the 57th minute. Fabian was a good yard past defender David Edgar before he theatrically tumbled to the pitch and despite Canada’s protestations, the penalty was given.
Fabian coolly stepped up and sent Borjan the wrong way. Borjan dove to his left with the ball finding the corner to his right.
Canada very nearly had a goal in the 89th minute when left back Marcel de Jong’s powerful left-footed free kick rattled off the crossbar and Mexico almost had a third as they hit the crossbar in injury time.
El Tri finish up the group stage on Sunday against Martinique, while Canada face Panama, currently the top team in Group A with six points from two games.
