Canada opened their 2020 international season with a 4-1 victory over Barbados in a Men’s International Friendly match in California on Tuesday.
It was a particularly notable occasion for Vancouver Whitecaps FC Homegrown forward Theo Bair, who found the back of the net just five minutes into his debut for the senior men’s national team.
Whitecaps FC striker Tosaint Ricketts also scored, moving into fourth place on the men’s national team’s all-time goalscorers list with 17 goals – five back of leader Dwayne De Rosario.
‘Caps goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau got the start between the posts for Canada, conceding the lone goal on a 35th-minute penalty, while midfielder Russell Teibert subbed on in the 57th minute and concluded the match with the captain’s armband.
“The boys responded well tonight as we haven’t had long together, but the organization and intensity was evident,” said John Herdman, Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team Head Coach. “I was particularly happy with the fluidity in the attacking third and our commitment to the high press given that many players are coming off pre-season. It was a night in which we were able to build depth in our squad and take a result to start the year on a positive note.”
Canada will play Barbados again on Friday, January 10 before facing Iceland on Wednesday, January 15. Canadian fans will be able to watch the matches live on CanadaSoccer.com can and can follow the team across Canada Soccer’s digital channels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, including behind-the-scenes coverage throughout their January camp abroad.
CANADA 4:1 BARBADOS
7' - CAN - Tosaint Ricketts
33' - CAN - Tesho Akindele (Jay Chapman)
35' - BRB - Armando Lashley (penalty kick)
45'+1’ - CAN - Jonathan Osorio (Jay Chapman)
76' - CAN - Theo Bair
