Canada beat the home side 1-0. Toronto Lady Lynx keeper Kailen Sheridan, who led the W-League in goals-against average in 2013, denied Norway a late chance to tie the game. Sheridan stopped a penalty from Norwegian sub Guro Reiten.

Canadian soccer fans will be more than pleased to see the combination of Amandine Pierre-Louis and Valerie Sanderson creating a goal for the national team at next year’s U-20 World Cup.

Canadian national women’s U-20 coach Andrew Olivieri has announced the roster for a training camp that begins Tuesday in Denmark.

“Marcus Haber has said there was strong contact inside the box and I genuinely believe it’s a penalty kick. The big fella is very honest unlike the player on Thursday night,” Miller said in his post-game press conference referring to Mexico’s Marco Fabian. “He’s an honest player and he hasn’t done anything wrong. He’s been fouled inside the box, in my opinion, and I think it is a penalty kick and I said to the referee also after the game that I thought it was a penalty kick.”

“It’s not a penalty. I’m biting my lips here as hard as I possibly can,” Miller said, sporting a wry smile. “What I’m saying and what I’m feeling are two totally different things, I can assure you.”

The Canadian Soccer Association confirmed Tuesday that forward Simeon Jackson, who came on as a sub in Sunday’s shocking Gold-Cup opening loss to Martinique, has left the team. The former Norwich City striker, who is unattached, is off to Europe to pursue a “club commitment” there. Jackson’s departure has the blessing of current Canadian men’s national-team coach Colin Miller.

But, by making no secret of Canada’s intentions, we’re the first country in CONCACAF to plant our flag. And that’s important.

The incoming Canadian head coach Benito Floro, along with his son/assistant coach, was in attendance at Pasadena's Rose Bowl on Sunday and one can only wonder what’s going through his mind after seeing his team outplayed and, thanks to a last-second wonder strike, beaten by tiny Martinique 1-0 in the Gold Cup curtain-raiser.

"Football is the same in Canada, Japan, Europe. What happens on the pitch is the same in all countries," Floro said. "For me [football is being] able to play anywhere, in any condition."

What Miller does now is that Martinique recently beat the Portland Timbers U-23 side by a 2-1 count, and that it is a good technical side. Steve Gustan and Stephane Abaul scored for Martinique against Portland’s youth side. Abaul plays for one of Martinique’s most recognized teams, Club Franciscain.