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Winning start McKenna fires champion Canada past HaitiPosted: Saturday January 19, 2002 5:07 AM
MIAMI (AP) -- Kevin McKenna scored twice as defending champion Canada beat local fan favorite Haiti 2-0 in the opening round of the Gold Cup on Friday night. Canada, which won the 2000 event, was rarely tested in the game before a partisan Haitian crowd of 14,508 at the Orange Bowl. Using strong play from its wingers, Canada forced openings in the Haitian defense. Both Canada goals were created by successful crossing passes. McKenna gave Canada the only goal it needed in the 28th minute. Daniel Imhof centered a pass from the right wing to McKenna, who headed in a 10-yard shot, beating goalkeeper Geteau Ferdinand. McKenna struck again four minutes into the second half when a crossing pass from Paul Stalteri found him unmarked 12 yards from the box. McKenna calmly flicked a shot past Ferdinand. An offside call disallowed a third Canadian goal by Davide Xausa in the 54th minute. Golman Pierre nearly gave the Haitian faithful a reason to cheer, when his 15-yard shot went wide off the left post at the 70th minute. Canada's Lars Hirschfeld had three saves for the shutout. Canada proved its dominance in the first minute of the match when Xausa's shot from 18 yards sailed a couple of feet wide off the left post. Five minutes later, Ferdinand stopped Stalteri's header. Haiti's best scoring opportunity of the first half came after midfielder Renel Mompremier ran unmarked toward the goal. But Hirschfeld cut Mompremier's angle by deflecting his 6-yard (meter) shot from the left wing. Canada plays its second match Tuesday against World Cup qualifier Ecuador. Haiti will face Ecuador on Sunday.
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