Canada dominates Honduras in 6-0 victory in Gold Cup opener

MEGAN SWAIN/ GATG

Canada’s Men’s National Team (CMNT) opened up the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament on June 17, 2025, with a dominant 6-0 win over the Honduras National Football Team.

The match took place at BC Place, marking the first time Vancouver has hosted a Gold Cup game, and the only game CMNT will play in Canada this tournament.

Canada is playing this tournament without key players Alphonso Davies, as well as, Vancouver Whitecaps very own Sam Adekugbe. 

CMNT is also without Head Coach, Jesse Marsch, as he is currently serving a 2 game suspension from a red card. He will miss the next match against Curaçao before making his return.

The last time these 2 teams faced off was in the 2022-23 CONCACAF Nations League where Canada took a 4-1 win over Honduras. The match took place on March 28, 2023, marking over 2 years since these 2 countries last faced each other 

CMNT came into the match looking to continue their winning ways against Honduras and came out strong with an early chance. Ali Ahmed got an early free kick and Waterman almost capitalized off it.

Despite not gaining the early advantage, Canada still struck first and opened the scoring in the 27’. Nico Sigur, the Burnaby native, got his and Canada’s first of the tournament. The assist went to Jonathan David. He is a player to watch for Canada during this tournament.

Before the half was over Canada struck again. In extra time, at the 45’ + 2’ mark. Richie Laryea put a pass right up in front of Oluwaseyi on the left side. Oluwaseyi then put the ball in the top right corner of the net to double Canada’s lead 2-0, at halftime.

Canada came out just as strong in the second half scoring early, in the 48’, to take a 3-0 lead. Tajon Buchanan was the goal scorer  and did a backflip to celebrate. Oluwaseyi got the assist on the goal.

Roughly 2 minutes later, Honduras almost got on the scoreboard, but the Canadian goalkeeper, Dayne St. Clair, rose to the challenge. Momentum was shifting in favour of Honduras, but Canada weathered the storm to keep a clean sheet.

Buchanan was not done for the night and helped Canada to regain momentum with his second of the match. The goal to make it 4-0 came in the 65’ following a corner kick that landed in close range for Buchanan to put it in the net.

In the 71’, Promise David entered the match and in the 75’ got on the score sheet to make it 5-0 Canada. A Honduras player slid in an attempt to take the ball away from P. David, but he got around him for a close range shot, and did not miss putting the ball in the bottom left corner. The assist went to Vancouver Whitecaps player, Ali Ahmed

Almost 10 minutes later, P. David had a chance to get his second of the game. He was in the centre and had a basically wide open net, but he missed it just wide to the left.

Canada appeared to be a fan of scoring last minute goals, as they scored their sixth of the night in the 90’. Nathan-Dylan Saliba was the goal scorer, making him Canada’s fifth player to score in this match. It was a clean shot from his left foot into the top left corner.

There were lots of score-sheet contributions from Canada for a controlled 6-0 win over Honduras.

CMNT will now travel to Houston, Texas, where they will finish out the group stage of the Gold Cup facing Curaçao and El Salvador before potentially advancing to the quarterfinals.

The Gold Cup marks the last time CMNT will be able to play competitive matches before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Some dates of which will be held in Vancouver. With an attendance of 24, 286 at this match, Vancouver is ready.