Latest news with #TajonBuchanan
Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Buchanan's hot foot heating up at the right time
Opinion Tajon Buchanan, explained Inter Milan's welcome message, hails 'from the frigid climate of Canada.' It was January 2024, and the Brampton-born winger had just joined the Nerazzurri from Club Brugge. A few weeks later, once the Italian giants had exhausted their tropes, he became the first Canadian to play in Serie A. In retrospect, it was the right move at the wrong time. Then-manager Simone Inzaghi was famous for playing favourites with a squad that rarely changed from week to week, and Buchanan rarely got off the bench. ETHAN CAIRNS / THE CANADIAN PRESS Canada's Tajon Buchanan celebrates his goal against Honduras at the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Tuesday. Then, at last summer's Copa America, he suffered a broken tibia that kept him off the pitch for 116 days. The injury all but ensured he'd never crack the Inter line-up. He asked to go on loan and was picked up by Villarreal. After a slow start, the 26-year-old rounded into form, scored a crucial goal against Barcelona and helped the Yellow Submarine book passage to the Champions League. In a recent sit-down with OneSoccer, he credited the Spanish outfit with rejuvenating his career. But it wasn't until earlier this month that Canadian fans got to see the revival in person. On a warm, spring night in Toronto — hardly frigid (23 C, actually) — Buchanan wasted no time reminding his Canada teammates, as well as the BMO Field faithful and a national broadcast audience, just what they'd been missing for nearly a year. Back in the XI, he assisted Jonathan David's tally in the 24th minute against Ukraine and then scored Canada's fourth and final goal of the 4-2 triumph in the 81st. It was a standout performance, and yet only a preview of what was to follow. Shortly after the restart in Canada's Gold Cup opener against Honduras on Tuesday, he made a well-timed run and clipped a wide-angle finish past the 'keeper to give his side a 3-0 lead. Seventeen minutes later he made it 4-0 when he converted Mathieu Choiniere's corner. At the final whistle, the Vancouver crowd could celebrate a convincing 6-0 win. Putting the man of the hour aside for just a moment, it is mighty impressive that the Canadian men progressed to the Copa semifinals in Buchanan's absence — that they beat the United States (twice), played Mexico to a draw and defeated Panama. Those are results a team gets when it has depth, and Canada has it in spades. That said, the 26-year-old's reintroduction has made the men's national team a completely different proposition. Suddenly, and with one of Ali Ahmed and Jacob Shaffelburg on the left-hand side, it's a line-up with weaponry on either flank. Both have to be marked by the opposition — good luck — and the ripple effect means the attackers can operate more freely, like when David played in right-back Niko Sigur on the opening goal against Honduras. Sigur, for his part, offers a smart, quick option when Alistair Johnston isn't available, and he's versatile enough to slot into midfield as well. But a fit and flying Buchanan immediately consolidates Canada's status as Gold Cup co-favourites with Mexico. He might be the flashiest player in the tournament, and he'll give Zwolle full-back Sherel Floranus all he can handle in Saturday's Group B match against Curacao (6:00 p.m., TSN & OneSoccer). Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Win, and Canada will secure first place in their bracket, setting up a likely quarterfinal with Saudi Arabia. Three points would also give head coach Jesse Marsch a chance to rest his key players on June 24, when Canada face El Savador in the group stage finale (9:00 p.m., TSN & OneSoccer). Buchanan should probably be one of them. He's still recovering from injury, after all, and is yet to hit top gear. That's a sizzling prospect for the Canadian men, and one that will make the opposition frozen — frigid, even — with fear. jerradpeters@ @
Toronto Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Tajon Buchanan's brace lifts Canada to Gold Cup blowout win over Honduras
Published Jun 18, 2025 • 4 minute read Tajon Buchanan of Canada celebrates after scoring a goal against Honduras. Getty Images Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Niko Sigur has made some special memories over his years of watching soccer at BC Place. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account He added another Tuesday as he scored his first goal for Canada and helped his country thump Honduras 6-0 to open their Gold Cup campaign. 'Of course, it feels really nice,' Sigur said of the strike. 'Something I'm working for all these years. You don't always see right away the work paying off, but this is one of those days that it is.' The 21-year-old rightback/midfielder from Burnaby, B.C., was part of a well-rounded offensive onslaught for the 30th-ranked Canadians on Tuesday. Sigur opened the scoring in the 27th minute, and Tani Oluwaseyi followed with a tally in first-half injury time. Tajon Buchanan notched a brace with goals in the 48th and 65th minutes, substitute Promise David scored in the 75th, and Nathan Saliba sealed the win with a strike in the 90th minute. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair stopped all four on-target shots he faced from No. 75 Honduras. The victory was a 'total team' effort, said Canada's assistant coach, Mauro Biello. 'I can't look at one guy and find someone who had an off game. Everybody came out with the right mentality,' said Biello, who stood in for head coach Jesse Marsch on the touchline as he sat out the first game of a two-game suspension. 'We played within our identity, and we were able to not give them much and score goals. And that's part of who we want to be. And I think for this first game of the tournament, super happy to get it started in that way.' The Canadians settled into the game midway through the first half and took charge when Sigur scored in the 27th minute. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Sigur passed off to Jonathan David at the top of the penalty area and, when David chipped it right back, he sent a right-footed shot sailing in past Honduras 'keeper Edrick Menjivar. His first goal for the senior national team came in his sixth appearance, and with ample friends and family in the announced crowd of 24,286. 'I don't often get to play in front of my family and friends in Croatia. I've maybe got two, three people I have to give tickets to,' said Sigur, who plays for signed with Hajduk Split in Croatia's first division back in December 2023. 'This night was a little different. But it means the world to me. 'And with the World Cup coming, we have two group stage games here (in Vancouver). But we have a little bit of work to do in between, so we'll get to that.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Oluwaseyi doubled the lead in the third minute of first-half injury time, collecting a pass from Richie Lareya and quickly blasting a shot into the top corner of the net from the side of the six-yard box. He celebrated by running to the touchline and grabbing the jersey of Canadian defender Sam Adekugbe, who's away from the team after suffering a torn Achilles tendon last week. The offensive onslaught continued early in the second half. Lareya crossed a ball into Oluwaseyi, and the Minnesota United forward back-heeled it to Buchanan. Stationed at the side of the six-yard box, Buchanan popped a shot up and in under the crossbar to give Canada a 3-0 lead in the 48th minute. The 26-year-old forward — who currently plays for Spain's Villarreal CF — struck again in the 65th off a corner. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Mathieu Choiniere swung a ball in, and Oluwaseyi jumped up, trying to head it on net. The Honduran 'keeper made the stop, but couldn't cover the ball and Buchanan tucked it in for his second goal of the night. 'I feel confident. Enjoying my football, that's the most important thing,' Buchanan said of his recent play. 'Playing with a smile on my face. And just got to keep pushing hard and keep improving.' Promise David came on in the 71st minute for Oluwaseyi and quickly made an impact, scoring in the 75th. With less than a minute to go in regulation, Saliba fired a left-footed shot into the top corner of the Honduras net to seal the score at 6-0. The Canadians have been emphasizing offence during training over the past two weeks, said Jonathan David, the team's captain for the tournament. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I think before the camp and throughout the camp, we talked a lot about being more ruthless. That was a big talking point,' he said. 'So I think we just try to work on that in training and always try to support the chances that we have. And I think so far, it's been going on pretty well to this point.' Canada will return to action on June 21 when the squad faces No. 90 Curacao in Houston. The team will wrap up Group B play against No. 81 El Salvador on June 24. The winner and runner-up from each of the four groups advance to the knockout stage in the 16-team tournament. The finale will be held in Houston on July 6. Canada won the Gold Cup in 2000 and finished third in 2002. When the tournament was last held in 2023, the country lost to the United States in a penalty shootout in the round of 16. Editorial Cartoons Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Toronto Maple Leafs World
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025: Canada thrashes Honduras 6-0
Tajon Buchanan scored two second-half goals and Canada routed Honduras 6-0 on Tuesday in Vancouver in the CONCACAF Gold Cup opener for both sides. Niko Sigur and Tani Oluwaseyi added first-half goals for the host before Promise Akinpelu and Nathan Saliba rounded out the scoring. The result leaves Canada atop Group B after the group's other two teams, Curacao and El Salvador, played to a scoreless draw in San Jose, Calif., earlier on Tuesday. Sigur netted his first goal for his country to open the scoring in the 27th minute. The 21-year-old played 1-2 passing sequence with Jonathan David while entering the Honduras 18-yard box, and he knocked in a right-footed shot. Oluwaseyi took a pass from Richie Laryea and blasted a 6-yard left-footed shot over Honduras goalie Edrick Menjivar to double the lead in first-half stoppage time. Buchanan (48th and 65th minutes), Akinpelu (75th minute) and Saliba (90th minute) turned the contest into a blowout. Canada will face Curacao in Houston on Saturday ahead of the Honduras-El Salvador matchup at the same venue that day.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Canada vs Honduras: Tajon Buchanan scores a brace as Canada thrash Honduras 6-0 in CONCACAF Gold Cup
Tajon Buchanan scored a fine brace in the second half as Canada cruised to a commanding 6-0 victory over Honduras on Tuesday in Vancouver, kicking off their CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign in dominant fashion. Niko Sigur and Tani Oluwaseyi struck in the first half for the hosts, while Promise Akinpelu and Nathan Saliba added late goals to complete the rout. With the win, Canada take an early lead in Group B. The group's other match earlier in the day saw Curacao and El Salvador play out a goaless draw in San Jose, California. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo — GoldCup (@GoldCup) Sigur opened the scoring in the 27th minute, netting his first international goal after a smooth one-two exchange with Jonathan David inside the box. Live Events — GoldCup (@GoldCup) Oluwaseyi made it 2-0 in first-half stoppage time, smashing home a left-footed shot from six yards out after receiving a pass from Richie Laryea. Buchanan added two goals in the 48th and 65th minutes, before Akinpelu (75') and Saliba (90') put the game well out of reach. Canada will next face Curacao on Saturday in Houston, while Honduras takes on El Salvador later that day at the same venue.
New York Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Canada smashes six past Honduras in spectacular start to Gold Cup campaign
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Jesse Marsch might not have been on the touchline as the Canada head coach serves a two-match suspension for a red card in March, but Canada still showed all the hallmarks of a Marsch-led team as they ran Honduras into the ground to open their Gold Cup campaign. With assistant coach Mauro Biello directing traffic, Canada looked in a different class to Honduras in their 6-0 win. Two goals from Tajon Buchanan and strikes from Niko Sigur, Tani Oluwaseyi, Promise David and Nathan Saliba made the difference. Advertisement Canada entered the Gold Cup as one of the tournament favorites. They now have a commanding lead atop Group B after a plodding 0-0 draw between El Salvador and Curacao. The five-goal haul was the most Canada has scored since Marsch took over in May 2024 and the most Canada has scored in any game since a 7-0 round one World Cup qualifying win over Aruba in June 2021. If Canada can continue to play as aggressively as this through the summer heat in the United States, there's little reason for them to lose the favoritism tag they've earned. Canada next plays Curacao on June 21. The difference in quality between a Canadian side with the likes of Jonathan David and Tajon Buchanan and a Honduras side currently ranked 75th in the world by FIFA was one thing. But the manner in which Canada executed Marsch's game plan was another. Canada's performance has Marsch's fingerprints all over it. Most notably, Canada pushed the tempo, employed physicality and pressed a Honduras team that sat back into submission. Perhaps the most rewarding takeaway for Marsch will be how relentless his team moved until the final whistle. Marsch is undoubtedly asking a lot of players who just finished their European club seasons to run other teams into the ground. But he got what he asked for against Honduras. It was another very notable step from Canada towards solidifying their tactical identity ahead of the World Cup. Nathan Saliba moved with purpose and quickness with the ball through the middle of the park. The 21-year-old is on the verge of a summer transfer from CF Montreal and looked ready for more Gold Cup starts. Ali Ahmed played in front of his home crowd like a player possessed, taking multiple heavy fouls from Honduras and continuing to drive play in wide areas. Mathieu Choiniere showed the bursts of physicality he'll need in a central midfield role. Joel Waterman, now likely fourth on Canada's center-back depth chart, stepped into plays with authority. Tani Oluwaseyi undoubtedly reminded Canada's coaching staff why he should be called upon as second forward. By pressing Honduras' back line relentlessly, the Minnesota United forward ensured he could create chances. His 47th minute goal showcased his power. Finally, Tajon Buchanan continued to look like a different player than the one who struggled to return after breaking his tibia at Copa America. His two goals were the result of his aggressiveness to get to the right places near goal. Advertisement All in all, it was Canada's relentlessness and movement that earned them the win. And it should earn them even more confidence in playing the Jesse Marsch way, too. Canada's 21-year-old Niko Sigur certainly has a sense of timing. In his first start for Canada in British Columbia, the province he was born in, Sigur connected with Jonathan David for some clever link-up play and fired home his first senior national team goal. It was just his sixth start for Canada and Sigur's first time back in BC Place since serving as a ball boy in an international game six years ago. In the build-up to his goal, Sigur showed a deft turn with the ball and confidence pressing forward in the final third. His heads up play was a reminder of how few players like Sigur Canada has in their squad. Sigur started at right back but showed the presence of mind to move deep into a midfield position, which he can also play. Sigur raising the jersey of injured defender (and Vancouver Whitecap) Sam Adekugbe was a class touch as well. There's no doubting Canada has other intelligent midfielders, like Stephen Eustaquio. But it's not just Sigur's smarts that stood out play after play in Canada's attack – it was the speed in which he processed the game and moved forward. He closed down on opposition attacks well, too. That combination of pace and game-changing ability to break through lines? It has Sigur on the verge of becoming an indispensable Canadian player in 2026. Marsch has three tiers of players he is considering for his final World Cup roster, with the first group being locks. As Sigur confidently dictated play throughout the entire game – from multiple positions no less – he likely now finds himself in that top echelon. So much of the talk surrounding this Canada team at the Gold Cup has been focused on how their stars showed up for the tournament, and, well, one United States' star did not. Now, that narrative could be a product of Canada's longstanding inferiority complex with their southern neighbors shining through. But the narrative was reinforced Tuesday afternoon when Alphonso Davies, recovering from an ACL tear suffered in March, arrived at Canada's hotel to support his teammates. The Bayern Munich star left back met with his team and then watched Canada's win live in BC Place. Advertisement BC Place is the stadium where Davies began his own ascent, with Vancouver in MLS, into the star he is now. Davies looked at home, his grin shining in a way you might not expect from a player having suffered a crushing injury. But he had reason to smile: even without him and other starters like Moise Bombito, Eustaquio and Alistair Johnston, Canada always looked a step ahead of Honduras. Did Davies' appearance contribute to the result itself? Unlikely. But did it reinforce how strong Canada's team harmony feels with the World Cup less than a year away? Almost certainly. The vibes in Canada's camp leading up to the Gold Cup have been noticeably positive. If Canada can continue to keep their spirit high and match those vibes with added experience come the World Cup, they'll only increase their chances of getting their first win in the tournament.
