PASADENA, California – A brace from Jonathan David helped power Canada past Martinique 4-0 in the opening match of 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup Group A on Saturday afternoon at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
After the two teams traded chances in the first half-hour, Canada broke through when a heavy touch from the Martinique defense allowed David to fire in past Martinique GK Loic Chauvet in the 33’ for the 2019 Gold Cup’s first goal and a 1-0 Canada lead.
Martinique looked to respond and FW Kevin Parsemain had three separate cracks at goal right before halftime, but was denied each time by Canada GK Milan Borjan.
Canada looked to wrestle back control and it doubled its lead to 2-0 in the 53’ when Samuel Piette flighted in a pass to David, who calmly stroked home his second goal.
The momentum was with Canada and 10 minutes later in the 63’ Junior Hoilett managed to push in a cross from an Alphonso Davies cross for a 3-0 Canada lead. That was then followed by a Scott Arfield strike in the 67’ for a 4-0 advantage.
From there, the Canada defense did the rest to secure the clean sheet win and three points.
