Toronto FC prospects face off as Canada U20s battle Jamaica
Saturday is decision day in Group C at the Concacaf U20 Championship, with undefeated teams Canada and Jamaica battling it out for top spot.
Both sides won their opening match before drawing their second, setting up a showdown at Estadio Universitario BUAP in Puebla, Mexico to decide who comes out on top. With four points each, and Panama and Honduras trailing behind on one apiece, a draw would be enough for Les Rouges and the Reggae Boyz to advance to the quarterfinals.
Canada beat Panama 3-0 in their first game of the competition, with Vancouver FC’s Emrick Fotsing scoring on either side of a penalty by Vancouver Whitecaps youngster Liam Mackenzie. Against Honduras in game two, Lucas Lima scored Canada’s goal before a cross from the opponents somehow ended up in the back of Canada’s net in an eventual 1-1 draw.
Jamaica scored late stoppage time goals to beat Honduras and tie Panama, giving themselves a shot to finish top of the pile as well. First place in the group is crucial, as that team would avoid Mexico or the United States until the semifinals.
Related Reading: Honduras draw keeps Canada top of Concacaf U20 group: Toronto FC youngster scores again for Jamaica
Jahmarie Nolan, one of Toronto FC’s top prospects at the moment, has been one of the tournament’s best players as a 16-year-old, scoring two of Jamaica’s four goals — one in either match. He will be looking to add to that tally against the country he now calls home with Toronto FC II of MLS Next Pro. He made his first team debut against Atlético Ottawa in the Canadian Championship, and could be the next TFC II player to win a first team deal.
Canadian defender Richard Chukwu is the most recent player to do so, and is one of three Toronto FC players in the Canadian U20s, the most of any club. He and midfielder Tim Fortier have come off the bench in both of Canada’s matches so far, while Antone Bossenberry started the Panama game in midfield but wasn’t on the bench vs. Honduras after injuring his shoulder in the first half of the tournament-opener.
Raequan Campbell-Dennis is also in the Jamaica squad from the TFC setup.
More to come.