By Elias Laradi

Canada won its opening group stage game at the inaugural W Gold Cup at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas beating El Salvador 6-0.
Adrianna Leon scored a brace while Canada also got goals from Cloe Lacasse, Jordyn Huitema, Kadiesha Buchanan, and Olivia Smith who scored her first goal for country.
“The goals are coming from different places which is great”, Bev Priestman told the media post-game. “ Their attitude to commit to the team was outstanding and for me, you walk off frustrated but you need to enjoy winning more and you have to be happy.”
Things started early for Canada as Cloe Lacasse started things off three minutes into the game by making a fabulous run inside the box. Her shot deflected off an El Salvador defender and into the back of the net.
“What we experience today is what I anticipated and breaking up the play and causing fouls can slow down the game and we need to stay focused on winning the restart and speeding the game up when it slows down and that’s where we could take it to another level.”
Sabrina D’Angelo who got the start in goal wasn’t busy but made a key save early on in the 18th minute when she denied Brenda Ceren who was known as the offensive threat for El Salvador.
“When we don’t have the ball not get too sloppy or comfortable and there were times it got chaotic and we need to bring more control and composure to them in those moments.”
Six minutes later, it was Lacasse setting up Huitema for a goal as she was able to get a cross across the face of goal and with her left foot was able to score to double Canada’s lead.
In the 28th minute, Leon scored her first of the night finishing another stellar link-up play with Lacasse and putting the ball into the empty side of the net to make it 3-0 for Canada.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t all positive for Canada as in the 43rd minute Nichelle Prince was subbed out early after it appeared she had pulled her calf and Priestman didn’t have an update yet on the severity of the injury.
“Obviously it seemed to be a calf pulled up and no medical update yet but I am hoping it is not too serious and that it could be more precautionary.” - CanWNT head coach, Bev Priestman on Nichelle Prince's calf injury
Canada made it 4-0 in the 57th minute as Huitema earned a penalty when her cross inside the box went off the hand of an El Salvador player and the ref pointed to the spot and Leon made no mistake scoring her second of the game.
“The moment I found most exciting is when they brought their personality and when we do that we can do a lot of things and I love to see the kids come in and doing well and I love to give the opportunity for them to step up and they did just that.”
Buchanan made it 5-0 in the 62nd minute as she was able to head in a corner kick from Smith and into the back of the net.
In the 85th minute, it looked like Smith had scored her first goal for Canada but at first, it was ruled offside. After a long review which included the ref having a look at the monitor, she ruled it a goal and it was 6-0.
Canada will be back in action on Sunday when they take on Paraguay who comes in ranked at number 50 in the FIFA rankings and it will be their first-ever meeting.
Paraguay beat Costa Rica 1-0 earlier today so both countries are level on points in Group C but Canada is ahead based on goal differential which could prove pivotal for potential reseeding in the quarterfinals.
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