Amado Guevara: Canada’s Undertaker?

Did you know that it was TFC target Amado Guevara who drove the first nail in Canada’s coffin in the last World Cup Qualifying cycle?

Actually, it was the second nail. And when it was all over, Canada’s coffin was more nail than pine, but Guevara’s goal hurt them badly. Canada already had a home loss on the books when they entered the match against Honduras in Edmonton in September 2004. Eighty-eight minutes in, Canada was looking good for 3 points – up 1-nil - when Honduras was awarded a questionable penalty. Guevara slotted it home, and Honduras held on - through another, even more questionable, decision called back a second Canadian goal – for the draw.

Guevara would be the first TFC player who has previously tallied a goal against Canada, though others have played against Canada: Carl Robinson started and went 75 minutes against Canada in 2004; Jeff Cunningham played the first half against them in 2002; and, in the same match, former TFCer Richard Mulrooney came on as a sub in the 36th minute. Additionally, ex-TFC Conor Casey was selected for a Gold Cup squad which played Canada but was injured and did not figure in the match.

It is doubtful that this moment from his past would make Guevara less attractive to Toronto FC, as Mo Johnston seems to pay little mind to matters-Canadian when choosing players. And its hard to imagine TFC fans – desperate to see some skilled players in red (or grey) – would balk at Guevara.