Canada 1 – 0 Panama
It was a must-win for Canada to remain in contention for a top finish in Group C, and they did everything required at BMO Field to defeat Panama 1-0 to now lead the group with seven points. A mental collapse by the Panamanians was all that was needed for Atiba Hutchinson to take advantage and set up Dwayne De Rosario on a free kick for the winning goal.
It was a tightly contested affair with Canada looking very strong in the first half, but unable to convert chances off of set pieces. Will Johnson was excellent in his delivery while Kevin McKenna was able to connect twice off the head, but could not direct it into goal. Panama came out in the second half a much stronger side and appeared to have momentum until Atiba Hutchinson caught the defenders napping after a Simeon Jackson foul and coolly stroked a cross into De Rosario who slotted in the winner.
The result was something to behold as against an opponent as tough as Panama, a near flawless game was necessary from Canada and while it might not have been exactly that, the few chances Panama did have, they were unable to capitalize.
There were two key performances and players for Canada that without them, looking back, it would be hard to envision the team coming out with this result. Kevin McKenna stood apart defensively, not just for his play but determination and willingness to go tooth and nail for the entire match. He made it difficult all night for the likes of Luis Tejada and Blas Perez to impose their physicality in the area and the Canadian Captain was unbeatable in the air.
Atiba Hutchinson’s class on the ball was on display on this night as his control was exactly what was needed to earn the advantage in the midfield. His awareness after Simeon Jackson was fouled was simply amazing and is the kind of difference-maker that can take this team to wins against very tough opponents, as it did on this night.
One of the most impressive parts of the Canadian side, and the result on the night was the handful of players who are not playing the same role they do week in week out with their club. Dwayne De Rosario, Simeon Jackson, David Edgar and Andre Hainault all make adjustments when putting on the red and white and Stephen Hart and Co. deserve much praise at this juncture for getting this group to all pull in the same direction for a cause bigger than the individual.
Going into Panama, if there is anything to take from this game is it a continuation of the defensive shape and sharpness. There is no question Panama will grow into a bigger and badder side with 20,000 Panamanians bouncing for 90 minutes and it will intimidate both the players and likely referees. To compensate for this, the chances Canada gets off set pieces, they absolutely have to convert. If they are missing open chances like they did Friday night, it could be their undoing.
The key to the ratings, as seems to be the logic on a scale of 1-10, is not to view it as a “grade”, as in a 6 would be a 60 or a C. The formula is that each player begins the game with a 5 and is the equilibrium from which their performance either improves or degrades moving in increments of .5.
Here is the breakdown of the starting XI:
Lars Hirschfeld – 5.5
A surprisingly quiet game between the posts for Hirschfeld who was rarely tested by Panama, thanks mostly to a sound display by the players in front of him. One breakdown left him in trouble when Torres overlapped onto the ball but fortunately it went wide. While he did not have any signature game-saving stops, he did have some very clean, professional blocks to put the ball out and showed courage with scrambles inside his 6-yard box. Will need to stay mentally sharp, as seen with the back pass form McKenna that almost was intercepted as he was going the wrong way, but that likely won’t be a problem in the next two matches in Panama and Honduras.
Ante Jazic – 6
An impressive run of form from Jazic who has emerged as a key component on that backline and he is easily able to match up with younger teammates and opposition. Had a momentary lapse on Torres’ chance on goal as he followed the ball instead of covering space, but aside from that he was strong out left and sound on this night.
Andre Hainault – 7
Fears he would be injured and unavailable were put to rest and he continues to show that even though he’s played everywhere on his club side, with Canada he has found a home at centre-back. Doesn’t quite look as physically imposing as McKenna, but his play in possession and ability to find the right pass moving forward has been key to Canada’s form in this round of qualifying.
Kevin McKenna – 8
A truly inspiring match from Canada’s captain as superlatives cannot describe the effort and passion he delivered to ensure the team came away with the win. A constant threat off set pieces, was unlucky not to finish two golden chances in the first half. However, this performance was most impressive through his work clearing crosses and battling toe to toe with Blas Perez. Possibly even physically smaller than Perez, McKenna was a beast in the air against the Panamanian and rarely found himself in a bad position defensively to keep his opponents from getting clear chances in and around the area.
David Edgar – 6
Like Jazic and Hainault, his play at right back has been encouraging considering this is not where he’s positioned week to week at Burnley. While this game wasn’t quite on the level as Cuba or Honduras, this opponent was much more difficult and with a few cheap turnovers, that can be forgiven considering the end result. Will need to be careful with his ‘mingling’ with Panama in the away leg, as the passion shown was perfect for a home match, but could get him in trouble in Central America.
Will Johnson – 6
Johnson delivered exactly what was expected and needed in this game, which was tireless pursuit and pressure in the midfield to keep Panama from gaining momentum. What was most impressive on his game, especially in the first half, was corner kicks as his technique was top notch in delivering the ball exactly where it needed to go – just far enough from the keeper to give McKenna two glorious chances on goal.
Julian De Guzman – 6
Once again shows whatever impression supporters might have from his time with Toronto FC or at club level, it has little bearing on what he brings when he puts on the red and white. 100% committed to the team, Stephen Hart has been right in trusting him regardless of his domestic form. On this night was buzzing around winning balls back and bringing pressure, while also showing some of the flash and dribbling that have not been on display since 2007-08.
MOTM Atiba Hutchinson – 8
McKenna was the rock that kept Panama from scoring, but the play that set up the winning goal will further cement Hutchinson as being on the brink of one of the national team’s all-time greats. Already having a very strong game with outstanding control of the ball, cutting runs to draw opponents, and good vision picking out the likes of Jackson and Occean, his quick-thinking on the Jackson foul shows the level of his game right now that he was able to see the opportunity and immediately convert the perfect cross for the winning goal.
Dwayne De Rosario – 7.5
It’s McKenna at the back, Hutchinson in the middle, and in the attack it’s De Rosario who delivered on this night. Almost surprisingly committed to being the left-sided threat all game long, his fitness and athleticism kept the pressure for the full ninety minutes. There will always be some turnovers when he’s trying to create in the final third, as seen in this game, but like Hutchinson, was sharp and on point when it mattered most and cleanly finished his chance to put in the winner.
Simeon Jackson – 6
As was the case with several Canadians, did very well considering at Norwich has more chances to play centrally. His work 1v1 did not always produce and was not able to deliver the types of crosses to genuinely pose any real threat, but made some very nice runs onto through balls. Needs to have the confidence to strike the ball from distance as Canada does need more attempts from open play and Jackson had a good chance to try in the first half. Even as there was some criticism for his ability to create when isolated, it was his fearless work to take on two defenders to draw the foul that lead to the goal.
Olivier Occean – 6
He might not have gotten himself in a position to have a real go at goal, but Occean was the player needed up top to keep a much more physical team in Panama honest. Did very well bringing down the long ball and holding up the play, as well as causing trouble in the area in both halves, he laid the foundation for a solid team game from front to back. Like the boxer who puts in the body work in the early rounds, Occean’s battles with Baloy might have been enough to cause them to wear down and mentally slip on the Hutchinson cross. While it wasn’t a glamorous outing, Occean was strong in his time on the pitch.
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