Canada defeats Dominican Republic 1-0 at CONCACAF men’s U-20 championship

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IRAPUATO, Mexico – Tavio Ciccarelli scored in the 86th minute to lift Canada over the Dominican Republic 1-0 on Tuesday at the 2024 CONCACAF men’s under-20 soccer championship.

Ciccarelli entered as a substitute in the 69th minute before deflecting a Santiago Lopez cross into the back of the net to break the deadlock at Sergio Leon Chavez Stadium.

The 17-year-old Ciccarelli of Winnipeg joined the Canadian Premier League’s Halifax Wanderers in May after playing his youth career in England with Sheffield United and Leeds United.


Canada's Tavio Ciccarelli, right, takes a shot against St. Vincent and the Grenadines in CONCACAF U-20 Championship qualifying play at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. Tavio Ciccarelli scored in the 86th minute to lift Canada over the Dominican Republic 1-0 on Tuesday at the 2024 CONCACAF men's under-20 soccer championship. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canada Soccer
**MANDATORY CREDIT **
Canada’s Tavio Ciccarelli, right, takes a shot against St. Vincent and the Grenadines in CONCACAF U-20 Championship qualifying play at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. Tavio Ciccarelli scored in the 86th minute to lift Canada over the Dominican Republic 1-0 on Tuesday at the 2024 CONCACAF men’s under-20 soccer championship. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canada Soccer
**MANDATORY CREDIT **

Canada drew its Group B opener against Honduras 2-2. The U-20 Canadian men wrap up group play Friday against El Salvador with a chance to reach the knockout stage.

The Dominican Republic outshot Canada 12-10 (7-7 on target), while Canada held 52 per cent of possession.

Canada edged the Dominican Republic 6-5 on corner kicks. Canada also had two yellow cards to one for the Dominicans as Myles Morgan and Christian Greco-Taylor were cautioned.

The top four teams at the championship qualify for the 2025 U-20 World Cup in Chile.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 23, 2024.