Two Vancouver Whitecaps youngsters played pivotal roles as Canada’s under-20 team defeated England 2-1 in a friendly on Sunday.
Kadin Chung, who plays for Vancouver’s USL affiliate Whitecaps FC 2, scored a fantastic goal to open the scoring early in the first half.
Marco Bustos doubled the lead with another terrific strike on 68 minutes.
England cut the Canadian advantage in half moments later through Chelsea product Kasey Palmer, but Les Rouges managed to hold on and secure the victory.
Chung, Bustos and 15-year-old Alphonso Davies were the three Whitecaps players in the starting XI. The Montreal Impact also had three representatives in the lineup in goalkeeper James Pantemis, defender Thomas Meilleur-Giguere and midfielder Ballou Tabla, who assisted the first goal.
“We worked on creating a culture within the camp,” Canada’s head coach Rob Gale said in a press release. “These boys faced quality this week and they have been first class – that’s what led to the result.
“We told them to believe in their talent, to express themselves, and to just play. It is a good experience for this group of players.”
Despite England outshooting the Canadians, the defence was resolute and contained the likes of Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford for the majority of the match. Chung was equally impressive at the back as he shut down Rashford on a few occasions.
Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori wore the captain’s armband and started beside Meilleur-Giguere at centre back. Both players made a few crucial interceptions on England counter-attacks and proved difficult to beat in the air.
Pantemis was forced into action on a couple of occasions, especially in the second half, but he made some excellent saves to preserve the Canadian lead.
