Canada forced to settle for a 0-0 draw against defensive-minded Puerto Rico

In front of over 12,000 fans at BMO field, the mens soccer team tied Puerto Rico 0-0 in World Cup qualifiers action earlier today.

Throughout the first and second half, Canada controlled the tempo of the game and the ball possession. Canada’s patient strategy occasionally broke down the Puerto Rican defence creating two huge scoring chances. In the 55h minute Simeon Jackson broke free from the right side after a pass from Dwayne De Rosario and had two shots on goal from a tight angle. Ten minutes later Jackson once again had another chance to score. This time, he intercepted a poor back pass by Puerto Rican defender, Scott Jones but goalkeeper Brandon Saldana positioned himself perfectly to cut off the angle of Jackson’s shot.

Near the end of the game, Puerto Rico had a scoring chance of their own in the 84th minute when Andres Perez was unmarked as he approached the goalkeeper box from right side of the field and forced Canadian goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld to make a chest save to keep the game at a deadlock.

The squad will now break for three weeks and look to clinch a berth in the third round when they visit St. Kitts and Nevis on November 11. With two games remaining, Canada will clinch a spot with a tie.