Canadians influence Canadian championship

With still two games to go, one statistic has already emerged from the 2009 Nutrilite Canadian Championship – goals scored by Canadians. Last year, only one of 12 cup competition goals was scored by a Canadian. Martin Nash turned in the honour on Canada Day – his goal from the penalty spot was the difference in a 1:0 Whitecaps victory over Toronto FC on 1 July.
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​This year, four of the five goals in the competition have been scored by Canadians. Toronto FC’s Kevin Harmse scored in the opening 1:0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps; Vancouver’s Marcus Haber and Charles Gbeke both scored in a 2:0 victory over the Impact in Montréal; Ethan Gage scored the latest goal in a 1:0 victory over the Impact in Vancouver.
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​Only one goal was scored by a non-Canadian: Chad Barrett’s goal in Toronto FC’s 1:0 victory over Montréal at BMO Field. As it so happens, that goal was assisted by Canadian Jim Brennan.
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​Last year, Maurice Edu was the youngest goal scorer at 22 years of age. Actually, Edu and Severino Jefferson were the only two players younger than 25 that scored in 2008. This year, 31-year old Charles Gbeke is the only competition goal scorer older than 25. Harmse and Barrett are 24, Haber is 20, and Gage is 18.
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​Haber was briefly the youngest goal scorer in competition history; he also set the record for quickest goal in a Nutrilite Canadian Championship match (first minute). Gage, just three weeks from his 18th birthday, is now the youngest goal scorer in the competition’s short history.
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​With two games left in the competition, only two teams remain eligible to win the Voyageurs Cup and qualify for the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League season. Toronto FC is in first place with a perfect six points after two games (2-0-0, +2); Vancouver Whitecaps FC is right on the heels with six points after three games (2-0-1, +2). The Whitecaps host Toronto FC next Tuesday 2 June at Swangard Stadium in Vancouver.