David's 87th-minute winner lifts Canada past Panama in Marsch's debut on home soil
CBC
In tough conditions against a physical opponent, Canada found a way to win Tuesday.
Jonathan David's 87th-minute strike gave Canada a scrappy 2-1 victory over Panama in a men's soccer friendly. Liam Millar set up the goal with a cross that David acrobatically knocked in past Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera for his 30th career goal before an announced crowd of 23,315 at BMO Field.
The 38th-ranked Canadians dominated the first half but found themselves in a contest with No. 37 Panama in the second half.
"It was nice to see that when the game wasn't so easy that we rose to the challenge," said Canada coach Jesse Marsch.
"We're resilient. We don't give up easy," added Canada captain Alphonso Davies.
WATCH | David's late winner helps Canada top Panama in friendly:
The game was played in cool, windy conditions on a bumpy pitch that is home to both Toronto FC and the Toronto Argonauts.
Cyle Larin gave Canada the lead in the 44th minute with his 30th goal. But Panama substitute Jose Fajardo tied it in the 69th minute, put in behind the defence and chipping it past goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau after Canada lost the ball in midfield.
Larin and David top the Canadian men's scoring list.
Canada led the way in a scrappy first half, moving the ball around and trying to probe the Panama defence. The visitors looked to defend and counterattack.
While the Canadians turned the screw as halftime approached, their finishing lacked crispness and it took a Panama blunder to produce a goal.
That came courtesy of the Canadian press. Panama captain Anibal Godoy, under pressure from Stephen Eustaquio and David, gave the ball away as the Central Americans tried to play it out from a goal kick. Instead the ball went to Ali Ahmed, who found an unmarked Larin in front of goal for an easy finish.
Panama offered more in the second half with Canada looking sloppy at times. Mosquera made a spectacular save to parry substitute Theo Bair's header in the 84th minute to preserve the tie.
The game, Marsch's first on Canadian soil as Canada coach, was a warm-up for CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal play, with Canada hosting the second leg of the tie scheduled for Nov. 19 at BMO Field.
