RECAP + HIGHLIGHTS: David & David provide the goals as CanMNT top Ukraine in Canadian Shield opener

The Canadian men's national team began their summer in style on Saturday, as they found the net early and often in a resounding 4-2 win over Ukraine at Toronto's BMO Field to kick off the Canadian Shield tournament.

Jesse Marsch teased in the media on Friday that he would be balancing his squad selection across the two Canadian Shield matches, with one eye on World Cup prep and another on the upcoming Gold Cup, and his XI to begin Saturday's game didn't disappoint. He gave Nathan Saliba his first Canada start alongside Stephen Eustáquio in midfield, and played a young back four of Niko Sigur, Luc de Fougerolles, Derek Cornelius and Zorhan Bassong. Most excitingly, however, Marsch offered fans a glimpse of what may be the future of Canada's attack, handing Promise David his international debut in a strike pairing with Jonathan David.

Part of the intent behind organizing this Canadian Shield tournament was to help prepare Canada for the kinds of opponents and atmospheres they may encounter in next summer's home World Cup. In that regard, this was an excellent primer; not only are Ukraine a different kind of opponent to the Concacaf foes Canada are used to, but the environment at BMO Field was raucous, as heavy contingents of both Canadian and Ukrainian fans attempted to drown out the other, combining for a lot of noise.

It didn't take long for either side to start testing the other in this game; Canada's Jacob Shaffelburg nearly got through on goal within the first minute, and the Ukrainians won a corner at the other end shortly after. Quickly, Canada took advantage of the wide-open tempo at the start, and the ball fell to Tajon Buchanan on the right touchline. Buchanan took a touch between the legs of Mykola Matviyenko, then danced around Ivan Kalyuzhnyi in the box before flicking a cross to Jonathan David.

The Canada striker's initial header was blocked on the line, but he was able to bury the rebound and put Canada up 1-0 within the first five minutes.

Despite a bright start, though, Canada's lead didn't immediately look very secure; Ukraine nearly found their equalizer via Heorhiy Sudakov just three minutes later, but Niko Sigur denied him on the goal line.

Ukraine, spurred on by vociferous support from the crowd, pressed Canada aggressively and went searching for the ball high up the pitch. For long stretches, the Canadians found themselves pinned backward and forced to pass toward their own goal; Ukraine often managed to isolate Luc de Fougerolles on the ball and prevent him from playing forward. Repeatedly, Canada's defenders would intervene to stop an attack, but be unable to clear the ball to safety due to how many players Ukraine had forward to intercept clearances.

Promise David celebrates his goal for Canada. (Photo: Michael Chisholm)

However, Canada survived a difficult stretch and delivered another pair of explosive moments. Twenty-four minutes in, Buchanan managed to break the press with a gorgeous touch to launch a counter-attack for himself; his blistering pace carried him all the way from his own half to the edge of the box. He lofted a good cross toward the front post, and Jonathan David directed it into the far corner of the net with an excellent flicked header.

The deluge continued five minutes later when Promise David intercepted an attempted pass by Valeriy Bondar and put himself through on goal all alone; the 23-year-old fully introduced himself to Canadian fans by scoring his first international goal, placing a shot cleverly between the legs of the Ukrainian goalkeeper.

Ukraine came out of halftime with even more energy though, unfazed by the 3-0 scoreline; they appeared desperate to provide at least one goal for their devoted supporters, and in the first 15 minutes of the second half they generated a flurry of chances and set-pieces. Maxime Crépeau, however, was up to the challenge and denied the likes of Roman Yaremchuk (a former teammate in Belgium of Jonathan David, Buchanan and Cyle Larin) and the rest of Ukraine's attack repeatedly.

Wave after wave of Ukrainian pressure pelted the Canadian penalty area, which proved to be a good test of Canada's defensive organization and discipline. Playing comfortably with the lead, they became focused on preserving a clean sheet, while also probing for another chance or two in transition. Jayden Nelson hit the post with an effort around the 75th minute, and Daniel Jebbison looked lively in his second-half shift, though touches on the ball did not come easily for him.

Buchanan, however, had one last moment of magic left in him. After Saliba delivered a free kick into the box, the ball fell kindly for Buchanan, who managed to wrap his foot around the ball in the air while tangled with a defender and slammed it into the net for Canada's fourth.

In the end, Ukraine did finally have their moment. Just before the clock ticked into stoppage time, Illia Kabayev smashed a loose ball in the six-yard box past Crépeau to give the Ukrainian fans in attendance something to cheer about.

With the newfound energy, Ukraine pushed forward again after scoring, and within seconds they won a penalty for a handball in the box. Oleksandr Zinchenko took responsibility for the spot kick, and he buried it to his left, giving his side a burst of positivity to close out the match.

Canada would, of course, hold on for the win, as a festive afternoon at BMO Field sent both sides home with something to smile about.

Box Score

Lineups

Canada: Crépeau; Sigur (Laryea 64'), De Fougerolles, Cornelius (Knight-Lebel 64'), Bassong (Adekugbe 85'); Buchanan, Saliba, Eustáquio, Shaffelburg (Nelson 64'); P. David (Jebbison 46'), J. David (Larin 79')

Ukraine: Trubin (Riznyk 66'); Tymchyk, Zabarnyi, Bondar, Matviyenko (Hutsuliak 66'); Tsygankov (Zubkov 66'), Zinchenko, Kalyuzhnyi (Kabayev 82'), Shaparenko (Pikhalyonok 58'), Sudakov; Yaremchuk (Mykhailenko 66')

Goals

4' -- Jonathan David (Canada)
24' -- Jonathan David (Canada)
31' -- Promise David (Canada)
81' -- Tajon Buchanan (Canada)
89' -- Illia Zabarnyi (Ukraine)
90+1' -- Oleksandr Zinchenko (Ukraine) (Penalty)

Discipline

69' -- Yellow: Jayden Nelson (Canada)

Player of the Match

Jonathan David, Canada

Before the game, it wasn't clear how much David would be involved for Canada this summer at such an important juncture in his club career, but he made a statement with his energy and performance on Saturday. David scored twice and was creative in Canada's build-up play, offering a clear example of why so many big European clubs are clamouring for his signature.

What’s Next?

The Canadian Shield tournament continues for both teams at BMO Field on Tuesday, June 10. Ukraine will play New Zealand at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT, followed by Canada against Côte d'Ivoire at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT