A goal from Kevin Martin late in the first half saw Canada lose in their opening game in the CONCACAF Under-20s Championship to 10-man Cuba with Martin playing the final minutes of the game in goal following a red card to goalkeeper Ismel Morgado for two yellow cards.
Head coach Mauro Biello named Ben Alexander in goal behind a back 4 of Noah Abatneh, Jamie Knight-Label, Matteo Campagna and Kwasi Poku. In midfield were Mael Henry, captain Justin Smith and Gabriel Pellegrino while Jesse Costa, Hugo Mbongue and Matthew Catavolo started as a front 3.
Cuba would take the lead in the 42nd minute as a defensive mistake from Knight-Lebel saw his short backpass taken by Martin who rounded Alexander to slot home.
Canada would hit the bar on the hour-mark with substitute Franklin’s cross headed against the crossbar by fellow sub Lovell Wright before Cuban keeper Morgado would be sent off on 76 mins for a second yellow card for a foul outside the penalty area.
The next games see Canada play USA while Cuba face St. Kitts and Nevis, both on Monday, while USA would defeat St. Kitts and Nevis 10-0 in the other game played in the group on Saturday.
Canada: Alexander; Abatneh (Ferdinand 46), Knight-Lebel, Campagna, Poku; Pellegrino (Franklin 46), Smith (c), Henry (Zouhir 46), Costa (Wright 46), Mbongue (Coimbra 67), Catavolo
Booked: Catavolo 18, Abatneh 39
Cuba: Morgado; Palma, Penalver, Torrez, Delgado (R. Hernandez 71); E. Hernandez; Paradela (Sanchez 67), Noda (Angel 65), K. Fernandez (Trutiet 71), Martin; Reyes
Booked: Morgado 52, Hernandez 65
Sent Off: Morgado 72
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