Canada concedes twice in shocking Gold Cup tie with unranked Guadeloupe in Toronto
CBC
The disappointment was telling after a rough finish.
Holding a 2-1 lead in the middle of stoppage time, Canada surrendered an own goal to allow Guadeloupe the equalizer and finish its CONCACAF Gold Cup opener in a 2-2 draw on Tuesday at BMO Field.
"We're disappointed with the result at home," Canada head coach John Herdman said. "You definitely wanna get three points out [of] your first game and certainly do it at home for these fans that turned up tonight."
"I think the fans got to see some of our future. I think this tournament has opened the window for that opportunity," Herdman added. "And to see those new caps experience some adversity as well to watch their response and not sort of crumble and capitulate under, I think, tough conditions.
"I thought that was a real bright spot in our game. I think in the dressing room, we were proud of the way that they handled this match."
WATCH l Canada's men's soccer team stunned by unranked Guadeloupe:
Canada is missing some of its biggest names in Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Tajon Buchanan, Alistair Johnston, Atiba Hutchinson and Ismael Kone for the tournament. The team also announced Monday that Stephen Eustaquio and Samuel Adekugbe were replaced by Jayden Nelson and Liam Fraser in the lineup.
With that, the likes of Ali Ahmed, Moise Bombito, Zac McGraw, Jacen Russell-Rowe and Dominick Zator made their debuts for the senior team.
Ahmed, a 22-year-old Toronto native who plays for Major League Soccer's Vancouver Whitecaps, was everywhere in the game. Asked what the moment was like, result aside, Ahmed couldn't hide his feelings toward the result.
"Honestly, the result's in my head right now, it's getting me for sure," he said. "BMO [Field], home field, first game, it's gotta be a win.
"Maybe once the results leave my head, I'll have the time to think about it. Obviously it's a special day to play at home for Canada.
"If you asked me two years ago if I was gonna be here, I would not think so. Just enjoying the journey, man."
Lucas Cavallini scored for Canada, with the second marker being an own goal from Guadeloupe.
WATCH l Cavallini ties the game for Canada:
