Buchanan Scores Twice in Canada’s 6-0 Gold Cup Opener Against Honduras
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By Kaus Pandey
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Summary:
- Canada opened its Gold Cup on Tuesday with a 6-0 win over Honduras.
- Tajon Buchanan scored twice, while Niko Sigur recorded his first goal for the senior national team.
- Canada will next face Curaçao on June 21, followed by El Salvador three days later in Group B.
Canada’s opening match of the 2025 Gold Cup was one for the books, as the team defeated Honduras 6-0 in front of a home crowd at B.C. Place on Tuesday night.
It was a commanding performance from Jesse Marsch’s side, even with Marsch serving a touchline ban.
The Offense Stole the Show
The breakthrough came in the 27th minute, when Vancouver-born Niko Sigur was seen exchanging a slick one-two with Jonathan David before he slotted home past Honduran keeper Edrick Menjivar.
“It was a really special moment”, the 21-year-old midfielder said after the match. The goal marked his first in Canadian colours, coming in his sixth cap.
Just before the break, Tani Oluwaseyi gave Canada some breathing room with a second goal. After latching onto a well-placed pass from Richie Laryea, he smashed a shot into the top corner from a tough angle.
To mark the moment, he held up Sam Adekugbe’s jersey, an emotional tribute to his teammate who’s out with a torn Achilles.
The second half saw no let-up. Tajon Buchanan found the net in the 48th minute after receiving a clever backheel from Oluwaseyi. From a sharp angle, he chipped it under the bar for his first of the night.
However, he wasn’t done yet. In the 65th minute, after a corner caused chaos in the box, Buchanan was there to pounce and bag his brace.
Promise David didn’t waste any time after coming on in the 71st minute, finding the back of the net just four minutes later. Then, with the clock winding down, Nathan Saliba hammered home a left-footed shot into the top corner to cap off the night.
Goalie St. Clair Earned the Clean Sheet
While the offense stole the show, Canada’s defense stood firm too. Dayne St. Clair came up with three solid saves to keep a clean sheet, while Canada controlled the tempo and outshot Honduras 10-1 in the opening half alone.
Canada’s dominant performance has them sitting atop Group B. They’ll take on Curaçao next on June 21 in Houston, then wrap up the group stage against El Salvador on June 24.
The top two teams from each group will move on to the knockout rounds, with the final scheduled for July 6, also in Houston.
With Jesse Marsch suspended after his March red card during the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League, Mauro Biello stepped in to lead from the sidelines. However, no matter who’s coaching, this Canadian squad looks like it means business.
