Morris brace gives United States ideal start to CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship

Jordan Morris scored twice as the United States beat Canada in their Group A opener ©Getty Images

An early goal provided the United States with a perfect platform to record an opening day victory at the 2015 Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship.

The hosts had failed to reach the London 2012 football tournament but their qualification hopes for the Under-23 competition at Rio 2016 were given a boost in the first minute of their Group A match against Canada at Sporting Park, Kansas City.

Jerome Kiesewetter, who plays his club football for German side Stuttgart, crossed into the six-yard box and a missed punch from Canada’s goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau presented Jordan Morris with a golden opportunity to open the scoring, with the American striker duly obliging to give his team a superb start.

Kiesewetter continued to be influential throughout the game and he first fired narrowly wide of the target in the 20th minute of the match before finding himself denied by an excellent save by Crepeau, who was attempting to atone for his earlier error, in the early stages of the second half.

While Kiesewetter was being foiled by the goalkeeper, Morris was enjoying better luck in front of goal and he doubled his team’s advantage by latching onto an excellent through ball from Wil Trapp to slide the ball under the onrushing Crepeau.

The United States defence, marshalled by 17-year-old Cameron Carter-Vickers, proved resilient to Canadian attacks for much of the encounter but eventually found itself breached as Michael Petrasso headed in from a corner with 10 minutes remaining.

Canada’s hopes of a dramatic comeback were crushed in injury time as Kiesewetter was fouled in the box by Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare, with American substitute Luis Gil slotting home the resulting penalty to give his team a 3-1 victory.

Panama were forced to see out the remaining minutes of their 1-1 draw with Cuba with ten men ©Getty Images

The result put the United States on top of Group A after Panama had battled from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw with Cuba in their first match of the competition.

Cuba, similarly to the United States, had struck early in the tie thanks to a goalkeeper mistake as Panama’s Elieser Powell's clearance, following a backpass, struck Maykel Reyes with the ball diverting off the Cuban forward and into the net.

Their lead would last until 15 minutes from the full time whistle with Michael Murillo crossing to Josiel Nuñez who headed past the Cuban goalkeeper Sandy Sanchez from close range to level the score.

Panama’s point looked in doubt three minutes later when they were reduced to 10 men following a reckless slide tackle by Fidel Escobar, however they eventually held on to secure the draw.