Goals will come in CONCACAF Stage II

Rest assured, Canada will score goals in CONCACAF Stage II of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers™. With six matches on the table over the next 11 weeks, a healthy Dwayne De Rosario could set the national record for most career goals in international “A” matches. He needs just two to tie the record set by former striker Dale Mitchell who closed out his career back in 1993.



De Rosario already has two goals this year, both from the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup in June. That gives him 17 goals in 60 matches, trailing both Mitchell (19) and John Catliff (18) in the Canadian record book. Behind De Rosario are the retired Alex Bunbury (16) and the active-but-injured Ali Gerba (15).



De Rosario and Gerba share the Canadian record for goals in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, with six apiece. They both also have six goals in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers™, although Bunbury actually holds the national record with 11 goals when it counts towards the big tournament. Mitchell is second with nine career goals in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers™.



Along with his 19 career goals at the national “A” level, Mitchell also has four goals with the senior Olympic team, including a national record three at the Los Angeles 1984 Men’s Olympic Football Tournament. Canada finished fifth that year, the highest such finish at a senior men’s competition since the Olympic gold performance in 1904.



If it is not De Rosario, then the goals may come from any one of Canada’s other attackers up front. That rotation may include 2009 Canadian Player of the Year Simeon Jackson (now playing in the English Premier League), Marcus Haber, Tosaint Ricketts, Josh Simpson, Iain Hume or Will Johnson.



Of course, ask De Rosario or any of the other strikers on the Canadian team and they will tell you they won’t care how many goals are scored as long as Canada wins. Canada’s path in CONCACAF Stage II is clear: it must finish first in its group to advance to the CONCACAF Stage III, which means knocking off St. Lucia, Puerto Rico and St. Kitts and Nevis.



So as long as Canada wins, De Rosario will be happy. After all, his goal – and only goal – is qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™.



WATCH DE ROSARIO



“It is the dream,” said Dwayne De Rosario. “I know growing up, that has always been my biggest goal: to help Canada qualify for a FIFA World Cup. That would be a highlight for soccer in Canada at all levels.”



COME ON CANADA: PAINT BMO FIELD RED

Fans can purchase tickets to the Friday FIFA World Cup Qualifiers match for as little as $20. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.ca / 1-855-985-5000). It should also be noted that purchased tickets to the 2 September Canada match include free entrance to the Canadian National Exhibition (starting that morning at 10.00 ET). Without a ticket, fans that pay entrance to CNE can purchase a $25 match ticket for just $9 that evening (kick off at 20.00 ET).