Rose blossoms in group victory
Because she has not earned her full driver’s license, Deanne Rose is not allowed to drive on certain roads in her province.
But if Canada’s soccer team has its way, the 16-year-old from Ontario will have the pedal to the metal on the team’s Road to Rio.
Rose scored her first two international goals in the first half Thursday night to stake Canada to a dominant lead en route to a 5-0 victory over Guyana. It was the first of three Group B dates in the CONCACAF women’s Olympics qualifier at BBVA Compass Stadium.
The teenager was not sure what to expect in her biggest game to date. She just wanted to put the ball in the net in her fourth international appearance.
“(The first goal) was pretty amazing,” Rose said. “Sophie (Schmidt) headed it. I just tried to flick it on. It was pretty cool. It was really exciting. I get to score for my country.”
Trinidad triumphs
Canada, which had three goals from Ashley Lawrence, will face Trinidad and Tobago at 3 p.m. Sunday. Trinidad won Thursday, rallying from behind in the final 16 minutes to beat Guatemala 2-1.
Sunday’s game could go a long way in determining which team wins Group B and avoids a match with the United States in the semifinals next week.
Christine Sinclair, an 11-time Canadian Player of the Year, is one goal away from moving past Mia Hamm for sole possession of second place in all-time international goals. Sinclair said she was impressed with Rose’s performance.
“Any time you can get a 16-year-old scoring for your country it’s pretty cool,” Sinclair said.
Canada lived on the right flank in the offensive third for the first 30 minutes but took a while to connect in the penalty area. Rose struck in the 25th minute. With her back to the goal and only a few yards off the line, Rose extended her right leg behind her torso and flicked on a header by Schmidt.
Doubling her fun
Rose scored again in the 40th minute when she raced around a defender to a through ball from Schmidt. Rose touched it once to keep the ball rolling and then hit a low shot to the far post for a 3-0 lead.
She added an assist in the opening minute of the second half when her cross found Lawrence all alone for a header in the box. Rose subbed out in the 62nd minute.
Dash defender Allysha Chapman started for Canada and played 57 minutes before being subbed out. Former Dash goalkeeper Erin McLeod played the whole match and never was tested. Forward Janine Beckie, a recent Dash pick, also is on Canada’s roster.
In Thursday’s first game, Trinidad got goals from Kennya Cordner in the 74th minute and Tasha St. Louis in the 78th minute to earn three points.
Guatemala scored on Ana Lucia Martinez’s penalty kick in the 17th minute.