TORONTO – Octavio Zambrano’s rebuild of the Canadian men’s team continues slowly but surely.

Canada posted a 2-0 win over Jamaica in an international friendly at BMO Field before 21,724 fans on Saturday night, building upon its solid quarter-final showing at the CONCACAF Gold Cup earlier this summer.

Anthony Jackson-Hamel and Jonathan Osorio scored for the Reds, who are playing a fearless and exciting brand of attacking soccer under Zambrano ever since he took over the coaching reins in March.

It wasn’t perfect from Canada on the night, as centre backs Dejan Jakovic and Manjrekar James were overwhelmed at times by the speed of Jamaica’s forwards. But overall, it was a balanced performance that should give the players even more confidence as they look and plan ahead to the qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

“We are trying to play consistently good football; we’re trying to make it part of our DNA. We are not there yet. We show moments in which we can do it, and we can combine very well and work the ball from the defence into the attacking third with fluidity. That is pleasing,” Zambrano said after the game.

Central to Zambrano’s long-term vision for this Canadian team is attacking midfielder Junior Hoilett, who registered an assist in a man-of-the-match performance highlighted by his probing runs, his exquisite touch on the ball, and his playmaking creativity.

“This was probably the best game I’ve seen Junior play. He is an elite type of player. He’s at an elite level,” Zambrano said.

He also offered a small ray of hope, opining that Canada is moving closer to a point where it can compete on the same level with such CONCACAF giants as the United States and Mexico.

“We are not far. We’re not far. … I think we’re on the right track,” Zambrano promised.

Zambrano’s starting lineup featured five MLS players, with all three Canadian teams represented: Jackson-Hamel and Samuel Piette (Montreal Impact), Marcel de Jong (Vancouver Whitecaps), and Osorio and Raheem Edwards (Toronto FC). Veteran midfielder Atiba Hutchinson served as captain, making his first appearance for Canada since last September. Jayson Leutwiler of Blackburn started in net, earning his third cap.

Whitecaps teenager Alphonso Davies, Canada’s top scorer at this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, was on the bench, as was star forward Cyle Larin.

The opening half was a physical affair played at full speed by both teams. Jamaica’s pace caused plenty problems for Canada, with forward Dane Kelly latching on to through balls after slipping in behind the defence.

Canada opened the scoring when Hoilett stole the ball off a Jamaican defender, burst forward and played a low ball across the box to the far post for Jackson-Hamel to slot home. The Reds doubled their advantage with a nifty goal, as Jackson-Hamel took a pass from Piette on the edge of the box, and deftly flicked it on for Osorio. The TFC midfielder ran onto the end of it and beat goalkeeper Andre Blake with a composed finish.

“He’s a very good finisher. He has a tremendous future because he’s one of the coolest guys in front of the goal,” Zambrano said of Jackson-Hamel.

Leutwiler came up big just before halftime with a big save on Romario Williams, who had all kinds of time and space to connect on a header from in close.

Zambrano made two changes at the start of the second half, bringing on Sam Adekugbe and Larin for de Jong and Jackson-Hamel. Adekugbe lasted only nine minutes, as he had to be subbed out with an injury. He was replaced by Mark-Anthony Kaye.

Canada was reduced to 10 men when Davies, who subbed into the contest just minutes earlier, kicked out at Damion Lowe in the face following a hard tackle from the Jamaican defender.

I just want to apologize to @CanadaSoccerEN for my breakout on the field earlier today, and to the people that came to watch the game pic.twitter.com/eS19JHOZaa — Alphonso Davies (@AlphonsoDavies) September 3, 2017

The visitors furiously pressed for a goal to get back in the game, but Jakovic made a timely clearance inside his penalty area, and Leutwiler made a point-blank save off the ensuing corner kick to preserve Canada’s clean sheet.

NOTES: Jamaica is 57th in the current FIFA world rankings. Canada is 95th, sandwiched between Cyprus and Zambia… Saturday was a rematch of this summer’s Gold Cup when Jamaica defeated Canada in the quarter-final… Canada earned a 3-1 win over Jamaica in a friendly at BMO Field on Sept. 9, 2014, the last time they squared off in Toronto… The Reds’ previous match at BMO Field was Sept. 4, 2015 when they earned a 3-0 win over Belize… Former national men’s team stalwart Paul Stalteri was honoured as a member of the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame during Saturday’s pre-match festivities.