2017 Gold Cup match recap: Jamaica 2, Canada 1

The Andre Blake show made a stop in Phoenix, as the goalkeeper’s highlight-reel saves led Jamaica past Canada by the score of 2-1. The Philadelphia Union goalkeeper was named the Man of the Match on the television broadcast for his game-changing performance.

There was offense too. In the sixth minute, Darren Mattocks would take an Andre Blake goal kick, beat his defender even though he had a handful of Mattocks’ jersey, and play a beautiful cross to Shawn Francis who hit it with pace off of the underside of the crossbar and in to give the Reggae Boyz the lead.

Canada had the majority of possession after the goal, however the Jamaican defense held fast and the Canadians couldn’t capitalize. Orlando City’s Cyle Larin had a great look at goal on a set piece but his header whistled just wide of the net.

Canada forced Jamaica out wide along the touch line often, however the Jamaicans seemed very comfortable playing along the line and firing off crosses into the box.

Larin had a blast from distance but Andre Blake was in perfect position to stop the shot. Canada had another chance just before the break, but it was cleared out of the box as the whistle sounded.

in the 50th minute, Romario Williams put Jamaica up two on a curling golazo that only one goalkeeper on the pitch had a shot of stopping. Unfortunately for Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan, he wasn’t it.

While the lead may have looked insurmountable, Junior Hoilett drew one back for Canada on another screamer that Andre Blake somehow almost got to.

Still, Blake was the story tonight. The Philadelphia Union’s goalkeeper was spectacular and really kept his country in the match by making fantastic save

after fantastic save

after fantastic save. Canada did their best, but in the end Blake’s heroics were too much for them to overcome.

Jamaica: Andre Blake; Kemar Lawrence, Jermaine Taylor, Damion Lowe, Alvas Powell; Shaun Francis (Cory Burke, 67’), Je-Vaughn Watson, Kevon Lambert (Michael Binns, 90’), Owayne Gordon; Darren Mattocks, Romario Williams (Ladale Richie, 81’)

Canada: Milan Borjan; Marcel de Jong, Steven Vitoria (Manjrekar James, 56’), Dejan Jakovic, Michael Petrasso; Scott Arfield, Samuel Piette, Russell Teibert, Junior Hoilett; Alphonso Davies (Anthony Jackson-Hamel, 82’), Cyle Larin (Lucas Cavallini, 56’)

Scoring: Jamaica – Shaun Francis (6’), Romario Williams (50’); Canada – Junior Hoilett (61’)

Disciplinary: Jamaica – Kevon Lambert (Yellow – 73’); Canada – Steven Vitoria (Yellow – 15’)