Canada ends 16-game losing soccer streak with win over Jamaica

TORONTO -- Canadian soccer may never forget the 8-1 drubbing in Honduras that ended Canada's World Cup qualifying drive in brutal fashion.

But almost two years on, the Canadian men finally gave fans something to cheer about by ending a 16-game winless streak (0-11-5) that began that hot, humid day in San Pedro Sula.

Canada needed just one point from that Honduras game to advance to the final round of CONCACAF qualifying, where anything can happen. Instead the Central Americans joyfully put Canada to the sword in October 2012, turning what could have been a celebration into a wake.

The road back started 13 months ago under new coach Benito Floro, who marked a milestone Tuesday with his first win in his first game on Canadian soil.

Second-half goals by Marcel de Jong and Tosaint Ricketts gave Canada a 3-1 victory over Jamaica in an international soccer friendly, marking the end to one of the darkest chapters in Canadian soccer annals.

"This is what the guys needed," said captain Julian de Guzman. "It (Honduras) is still hard to forget but getting these wins and performing well will definitely help that go away."

"Massive, a massive win at home ... We're all delighted," added Simeon Jackson.

The Canadians were treated to a pre-game dressing room visit by Mike Tyson and George Chuvalo.

The win was the first in eight games (1-4-3) for Floro, a 62-year-old Spaniard who has coached around the world. And it marked the first time since 1995 that Canada has turned a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 lead (the 1995 Caribbean Cup against Jamaica).

Floro estimated his team is perhaps only at 40 per cent of where it should be. He liked some of what he saw but that didn't stop him from reeling off a shopping list of mistakes on the night.

In truth, Canada's defence was carved open at times and there were too many giveaways. But on this night, the glass was more than half-full.

Canada outshot Jamaica 16-8 (8-5 in shots on target) and had seven corners to the Jamaicans' one.

Canada had not won since Oct. 12, 2012, when it beat Cuba 3-0 in a World Cup qualifying game at BMO Field. The Canadians had gone winless since, starting with the Honduras drubbing four days later.

Canada was outscored 29-4 during the winless run. But under Floro it has now scored five goals in its last three outings.

Fresh from ending one streak, the Canadians are building another. They are unbeaten in three, with ties against Moldova and Bulgaria in their two prior matches.

Jamaica is ranked 85th in the world, compared to No. 122 for Canada.