Tajon Buchanan and Matt Turner helped lead the Canadian Men's National Team and the U.S. Men's National Team, respectively, to victories in their opening games at the Concacaf Gold Cup on Sunday night in Kansas City.
Buchanan started on the left wing, played the full 90 minutes, and set up a pair of goals in Canada's 4-1 win over Martinique as the Canadians jumped to the top of Group B on goal difference. Consistently a 1-v-1 threat on the left side, Buchanan twice beat his man to reach the end line and play provider on Canada's second and third goals. The 22-year-old New England Revolution winger cut back for Jonathan Osorio to score the game winner in the 20th minute, then helped set up Stephen Eustáquio's insurance strike in the 26th minute.
Turner, meanwhile, played a key role in the USMNT's 1-0 win over Haiti in the second match of the doubleheader. Making his debut in official competition, Turner made three saves to record his second consecutive clean sheet with the USMNT, having stopped a penalty in a 7-0 friendly win over Trinidad & Tobago back in late January. Turner, also eligible to represent Lithuania internationally, is now officially cap-tied to the United States.
Revolution II defender François Dulysse and former Revolution midfielder Zachary Herivaux were both unused substitutes for Haiti.
Group B action continues on Thursday night when Canada takes on Haiti (7:30 p.m. ET, FS1, TUDN) and the United States battles Martinique (10 p.m. ET, FS1, TUDN). Buchanan and Turner will then square off against each other in the group stage finale when Canada and the United States play each other on Sunday, July 18.
