All six of Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s players called up for international duty started and played the full 90 minutes for their respective nations in Friday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
One of them even got an assist, while three helped their countries advance to the Hexagonal – the fifth and final round of World Cup qualifying in the CONCACAF region.
See below for the full rundown.
MARCEL DE JONG AND DAVID EDGAR: HONDURAS 2-1 CANADA
‘Caps defenders Marcel de Jong and David Edgar, who started in central midfield, featured in Canada’s 2-1 loss to Honduras in San Pedro Sula. Canada’s Manjrekar James opened the scoring in the 35th minute before Mario Martinez and Romell Quioto responded for Honduras just before and after the halftime interval. In order to advance to the Hex, Canada will need to beat El Salvador on Tuesday at BC Place and make up a five-goal differential vs. Honduras, who face Mexico on Tuesday at Azteca.
GILES BARNES AND BLAS PEREZ: PANAMA 2-0 JAMAICA
In a battle between two 'Caps forwards, Blas Perez and his Panamanian national team emerged victorious in a 2-0 win over Jamaica, securing their berth in the Hex and ending Jamaica’s World Cup dreams. Perez set up Panama’s second goal in stoppage time, literally stopping while on a one-v-one break before waiting for his teammate Abdiel Arroyo to join the play.
El gol 2-0 de Panamá, anotado por @abdiel_arroyo#VamosPanamapic.twitter.com/4o20t1A9EV
— SOMOSMAREAROJA (@somosmarearoja) September 3, 2016
CHRISTIAN BOLANOS AND KENDALL WASTON: HAITI 0-1 COSTA RICA
Costa Rica secured their berth in the Hex with a 1-0 road win vs. Haiti on Friday – a match that featured the ‘Caps Costa Rican duo of Christian Bolanos and Kendall Waston, who have each played in four of Costa Rica’s five matches this round. The Ticos remain unbeaten in this round of qualifying with a 4W-0L-1D record.
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