EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – Fraser Aird scored his first goal for the Canadian national team in a 1-1 draw with host Scotland on Wednesday night at Easter Road.
The former Vancouver Whitecaps FC winger opened the scoring for Canada in the 11th minute, banging a strike into the top corner after a defensive miscue in the box. It was a special moment for Aird, who was born to Scottish parents in Scarborough, Ontario. Aird pointed to the skies as he celebrated the goal – in honour of his father Bill, who passed away earlier this year.
"He must have been watching down on me today," Aird said after the match. "That goal was for him. First goal for my country. He was a big part of my decision to play for Canada even though he was Scottish. All credit to him for that. And I think I've made the right decision."
Norwich City’s Steven Naismith levelled the score for Scotland in the 35th minute.
A total of six Whitecaps FC Residency graduates featured for Canada in the friendly, including midfielder Marco Bustos, who played the full 90 minutes, defender La’Vere Corbin-Ong, who earned his first cap, and goalkeeper Simon Thomas, who made three first-half saves.
Wednesday’s draw was Canada’s first result against a host European nation since 2010.
