Young Canadian side beats Guatemala in friendly
Jacen Russell-Rowe’s goal was the difference for the Canadians in Saturday’s match in Los Angeles.
- Canada 1 (Russell-Rowe 66’), Guatemala 0
- 4 starters, 8 subs made their debuts for Canadians
- TFC’s Richie Laryea served as captain for Les Rouges
Two youngsters were at the heart of the Canadian men’s team’s latest victory.
Jacen Russell-Rowe scored off a brilliant setup by Toronto FC’s Malik Henry to lift Canada to a slim 1-0 win over Guatemala in Saturday’s international friendly at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
It was the second international goal for Russell-Rowe (23 years old) in eight matches, while Henry (also 23) earned an assist in his first game for Canada only minutes after being subbed into the contest. Russell-Rowe was sensational in a man-of-the-match display, while a crop of other prospects earned their first appearances for Canada.
"What I wanted was a performance that looked like our team, that looked like our identity, and that was the challenge I put forward for the players. And I think that all of them delivered in a really good way," coach Jesse Marsch told reporters after the win.
"I think that the discipline and concentration to play the kind of football that we wanted to be aggressive, to understand roles, to make sure that we were up for the challenge, in terms of Guatemala's combativeness, that looked like the Canadian national team, regardless of who was on the pitch."
