Cyle Larin’s Unbelievable Open Goal Miss Could Be Worst Of 2015 Gold Cup

The 2015 Gold Cup is only two days old but Canadian forward Cyle Larin has already made his mark — and not for the right reasons. The 20-year-old, who plies his trade in Major League Soccer with Orlando City, recorded what must already be a sure contender for miss of the tournament — it may well be the miss of the year — in Canada’s goalless match with El Salvador in Carson City, California, on Wednesday night.

In the 36th minute of the match, Larin — winning his 8th cap for Canada — latched on to a pass from right back Nikolas Ledgerwood and ran through on the El Salvador goal with only goalkeeper Derby Carillo to beat. He did the hard part, rounding the advancing Carillo with minimum fuss, and, with just a gaping goal ahead of him, he looked set to give Canada the lead.

But Larin miscued badly, sending his effort flying wildly off target — and making the University of Connecticut alumnus an internet highlight reel sensation overnight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Unrt-sUSx4

It was hard to explain but Larin gave it his best shot, according to mlssoccer.com

“Touched the ball with the outside of my foot, the ball just spinned away from me, and I just didn’t get the right connection on it…. The ball bounced weird, and I didn’t get around it, so that’s all that happened.”

It was the best chance of a match that had precious few of them and could have earned Canada a much-wanted three points. Team manager Benito Floro didn’t seem to hold a grudge at the post-match press conference, according to TSN.ca.

“The miss by Larin is part of the game, it happens.”

It was certainly out of character for Larin, whose goalscoring ability has taken him from Brampton, Canada to the MLS in a few short years. He scored 23 goals in a two-year career at the University of Connecticut, and was selected No. 1 by Orlando in the MLS Superdraft earlier this year. He’s adapted well to the professional game too, scoring six times in 13 appearances for Orlando, and he had scored three times for Canada prior to Wednesday’s Gold Cup debut.

As mlssoccer.com points out, the youngster won’t be the first striker to fluff such a big chance, and this one miss should not define what should be a decent career.

Larin will have opportunities to make things right in Canada’s other group matches, starting on Saturday night when they play Jamaica in Houston. Their last group match, against Costa Rica, is scheduled for Toronto on Tuesday night.

[Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images]