Canada vs. Dominica | 2018 Nations League Qualifier Preview

Canada vs. Dominica


2018 Concacaf Nations League Qualifier


BMO Field - Toronto


October 16 - 7 pm ET

After a thorough 8-0 rout of the U.S. Virgin Islands last month in Bradenton, the Canada national team plays its first 2018 Concacaf Nations League Qualifier on home soil, hosting Dominica Tuesday night at BMO Field.

It is also John Herdman’s first home game in charge of the men’s program since making the switch from the Canada women in January.

This is the second of four qualifying matches, with Canada playing at St. Kitts and Nevis on Nov. 18 and closing out at back at BMO Field vs. French Guiana in March.

“It feels like we’re on a journey,” Herdman said in a conference call with reporters. “It feels like every game is a step towards something, and we’re able as coaches to frame that up and give players real clarity about our purpose and what role they have to play in a four-year path towards the World Cup.”

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Canada Outlook

Lucas Cavallini, Jonathan David and Cyle Larin each struck for a brace as Canada cruised to an 8-0 win over the U.S. Virgin Islands last month at the IMG Academy in Bradenton.

Toronto FC’sJonathan Osorio and Cavallini, who plies his trade for Puebla in Liga MX, struck two minutes apart inside of the opening eight minutes followed by a pair of David goals five minutes apart on his full national team debut. Cavallini’s second goal gave Canada a commanding 5-0 halftime lead.

Cardiff City’s Junior Hoilett continued the barrage five minutes into the second half before former Orlando City SC striker Cyle Larin, now with Beşiktaş in Turkey, netted the final two goals as Canada set a record for goals scored in an international competition.

“For us, we have real clear intentions on how we want to approach the game, our objective for the game, and a strategy that will have similarities to what we implemented against [the U.S. Virgin Islands],” Herdman said. “If we can impose ourselves on Dominica, we’ll [earn a result] in our favor.”

Dominica

Dominica opened its Nations League Qualifying campaign with a 0-0 draw against Suriname on Sept. 6 in a match moved to Guadeloupe due to the damage caused by Hurricane Maria to Dominica’s national stadium.

Dominica, a team that averages 22 years of age, finished with 10 men when right back Erskin Williams was sent off on a straight red card on the hour mark. Julian Wade had Dominica’s best scoring chance when he raced behind the Suriname defense in the first half, but he slipped his low shot just wide of the far post.

History

Canada last faced Dominca in 2018 World Cup qualification, winning 2-0 in Roseau on June 11, 2015 on goals by Larin and Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Russell Teibert and 4-0 at BMO Field five days later. Toronto FC’s Tosaint Ricketts scored a second-half brace after Tesho Akindele of FC Dallas and Larin netted first-half goals.

Canada Roster

Dominica Roster