Flashing like a neon sign in the Canadian U-17 roster that was announced for the upcoming ASG Cup was the addition of Kianz Gonzales-Froese. This will mark the second tournament in a row that the teen has elected to represent Canada over his native Cuba.

Nigeria got the late equalizer, but it should be Canada who feels fortunate to escape its opening match of the U-17 Women’s World Cup with a draw.

It was a blue Monday for the Canadian U-20 Women’s national team.

Canada’s women’s U-20 side and the Swiss U-20 side drew 1-1 on Friday night in front of 400 spectators.

“You can plan to play the Mexicans, you can talk about what you have to do against the Mexicans, but it’s nothing like when you actually have to play them, the way they pass and move,” said Gardner.

Two days after the Canadian teens throttled Panama by a 6-0 count, they made easy work of Jamaica, winning 4-0 in Guatemala.

Summer Clarke played just 50 minutes, and it was enough time for her to score three times and set up two more.

As the full-time whistle sounded, nearly every Canadian player slumped to the field in disappointment. They weren’t expected to win, but it didn’t diminish the stings they were feeling.

Canada looked comfortable until substitute Maykel Reyes leapt high and headed past a helpless Michal Misciewicz, who had kept a spotless goalkeeping record through every other minute of the tournament to date. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

“Everyone’s just happy. That’s the most important thing. But the coaches told us we can’t get overconfident,” said captain Nana Attakora. “We still have a game on Monday and if we lose that game, this game is meaningless.”