HOUSTON, Texas β Canada kicked off its Concacaf W Gold Cup title hopes with a 6-0 victory over El Salvador in Group C on Thursday night at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Cloe Lacasse opened the scoring in the 3β by cutting inside on the right flank and driving into the box, capping the play with a left-footed strike past Idalia Serrano.
Lacasse with the fastest goal of the W Gold Cup so far! π¨π¦ pic.twitter.com/6IMY8kz3dt
— W Gold Cup (@GoldCup) February 23, 2024
El Salvador tried to respond through Brenda Ceren, who intercepted a ball from the defense in the 18β to develop an opportunity on goal, but Canada GK Sabrina DβAngelo captured the attempt.
Jordyn Huitema extended the lead for Canada in the 24β to 2-0 with a touch just outside the edge of the goal area. The service came in from the right field, as Lacasse added an assist to her day.
Adriana Leon then made it a three-goal lead in the 28β to tap in what was another service from Lacasse.
El Salvador developed one of its better attacking efforts in the 55β from a free kick opportunity, but Danya Gutierrez could not connect with Makenna Dominguez inside the box. Seconds after, Andrea Amaya provided a cross into the area, but just missed Samantha Fisher.
Leon doubled her tally from the penalty spot in the 59β, hitting the top left corner despite Serrano diving the right way to make it 4-0.
With two goals and a superb game Adriana Leon leaves the stadium as the Player of the Match β pic.twitter.com/DQxXbSNOei
— W Gold Cup (@GoldCup) February 23, 2024
Kadeisha Buchanan provided a header towards goal in the 62β to connect on a corner kick service from Olivia Smith, extending the lead to 5-0.
Smith wrapped up the scoring and 6-0 scoreline by etching her name onto the scoresheet in the 86β.
Canada will play Paraguay in the first of two Group C matches at Shell Energy Stadium on Sunday, followed by El Salvador against Costa Rica.
