Tajon Buchanan, Jonathan David lead the way as Canada downs Ukraine
4-2
Chris Jones
| CBC Sports | Posted: June 7, 2025 10:43 PM | Last Updated: 11
hours ago
Canada plays Ivory Coast next, on Tuesday
Image | Canadian Shield Soccer
Caption: Canada's Tajon Buchanan fires past Ukraine goalkeeper
Dmytro Riznyk to score his team's fourth goal during second
half Canadian Shield Tournament action, in Toronto, on
Saturday. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)
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On a blue-sky Saturday in June, a little over a year from the
first men's World Cup game on Canadian soil, it seemed
especially fitting that a man named Promise made his national
team debut.
In the seconds before Canada's opening kickoff against Ukraine
at a festive BMO Field, Promise David, who usually goes by
Tobi, stood in the sun beside star striker Jonathan David and
smiled. He had taken such a long journey to that immaculate
patch of grass.
WATCH | Jonathan David scores twice, Canada downs Ukraine at
Canadian Shield:
Media Video | Jonathan David scores twice, Canada downs Ukraine
at Canadian Shield
Caption: Jonathan David scored the first two goals en route to
a 4-2 Canadian win over Ukraine at the Canadian Shield
tournament from BMO Field.
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"It was a full-circle moment," the 23-year-old said after
Canada's 4-2 win, which also saw him score his first goal for
country in front of dozens of his family and friends. The last
time he was at BMO Field, he was a ball boy for Toronto FC.
Now the rest of his career is in front of him.
"I'm going to continue to elevate my game and do everything I
can for the team," he said.
He's had a breakout season with Belgium's Union Saint-Gilloise,
where his 24 goals across all competitions helped his club win
its first league title in 90 years. It's the latest and by far
best stop in a globetrotting career, which has included
sometimes dispiriting spells in Croatia, the U.S., Malta, and
Estonia, as well as with Nigeria's under-23 team.
In March, David joined the Canadian side at the CONCACAF
Nations League finals, after head coach Jesse Marsch convinced
him to switch allegiances. He didn't play but the experience
was an affirmation of his choice.
"It was always part of my plan," David, who was born in
Brampton, Ont., told CBC at the time.
The unfolding continues. To prepare for this month's Gold Cup,
and to stage a dress rehearsal for next year's World Cup, the
Canadian men are holding a mini tournament called the Canadian
Shield, culminating with a match against African champions
Ivory Coast on Tuesday.
* Canada men's head coach Marsch adds experienced Johnston,
Osorio for CONCACAF Gold Cup
* Emergence of Alistair Johnston is proof that there are
diamonds in Canada's soccer rough
Marsch used the opening game against Ukraine to do some of his
own future casting. David and David might sound like a law firm
that markets itself with billboards, but pairing Promise's
power and frame—he stands 6-5—with Jonathan's pace and acumen
paid immediate dividends, a stunning demonstration of Canada's
increasingly fearsome attack.
Jonathan David, who made 37 goal contributions this season for
Lille and will likely land at a top European club before
summer's end, scored in only the 4th minute against Ukraine,
ranked 25th in the world, five places higher than Canada.
He scored again in the 24th minute with a gorgeous glancing
header.
In both instances, Tajon Buchanan played a role in the buildup,
including an inch-perfect cross on the second. He also added a
goal of his own—his significant, even pivotal impact lost a
little as the Davids continued to command most of the day's
attention.
"Obviously, two great players," Buchanan said after.
"Jonathan's been doing it for a very long time and is a
world-class striker, and Promise is up-and-coming and has been
working extremely hard. I'm extremely happy for both of them."
Jonathan David played mostly as a second striker to his
emergent partner's lead, lurking just behind him between
occasional overlaps. Promise David, in his more dangerous early
moments, was reminiscent of Romelu Lukaku, the physical,
stamina-challenged Belgian giant.
"He's not used to playing at this intensity, so his body was
like, 'I don't want to do this anymore,'" Marsch said of his
rangy new option, who came out of the game at halftime. "But
obviously, he's a goal scorer. If he gets chances, you know
he's going to score goals."
* Canada soccer coach claims Vancouver Whitecaps players were
'poisoned' during cup final trip to Mexico
* Canada soccer head coach Jesse Marsch adds Zorhan Bassong
for injured Richie Laryea
In the 31st minute, he got his chance.
Promise David stole the ball from a Ukrainian defender and
broke free, slipping a composed finish under the helpless
keeper to score what proved the winner after two late goals
from the visitors. His dream afternoon turned into an ecstatic
one, and he slid on his knees before landing on his back with
his arms outstretched, his face turned to the wide-open sky.
His teammates rushed to join him in celebration on the grass.
The first to arrive was Jonathan David.
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