BRADENTON, Fla. — Jayden Nelson had a hat trick as Canada bounced back from a tournament-opening loss to the United States with a 4-2 win over Guatemala on Saturday at the CONCACAF men's under-17 championship.
Nelson scored his first of three goals only two minutes into the match to set the early tone for the Canadians (1-1-0), who fell 3-2 to the United States on Thursday.
Canada's Kamrom Habibullah scored in the 30th minute, while Nelson added goals in the 36th and 90th.
Canada next faces Barbados on Monday in Group F play.
Twelve of the 16 nations competing in the tournament's group stage will advance to the Round of 16 along with four previously-qualified nations through March and April qualifying stages.
The Round of 16 matches are May 8 and 9, the quarterfinals are on May 12, the semifinals on May 14 and the championship is on May 16.
Canada hopes to return to FIFA's U17 World Cup in Brazil this summer after finishing sixth in 2015 and seventh in 2017.
The Canadian Press
