Canada posts shutout win vs. Jamaica in crucial Olympic qualifier

• Canada 2 (Prince 18’; Leon 90'+3'), Jamaica 0 
• Reds can clinch Olympic spot with draw in Toronto next week 
• Leon scored 30th goal in her 100th appearance for Canada

The Canadian women’s team is starting to put its failed campaign at this summer’s FIFA World Cup behind itself. 

Canada earned a much needed 2-0 win over Jamaica at Kingston's Independence Park in Friday's first leg of the Concacaf Olympic qualifying playoff to take a big step towards qualifying for the 2024 Paris Games. 

Nichelle Prince and Adriana Leon scored for Canada who holds a distinct advantage going into the decisive second leg of this aggregate series. The Canadians only need a draw in the return match on Sept. 26 at Toronto’s BMO Field in order to punch their ticket for Paris. Even a 1-0 loss would be good enough for the Canadians to qualify for the Olympics.

The quality of Canada’s defending had been called into question after conceding 12 goals and recorded just two clean sheets in its previous seven games this year. Against the Reggae Girlz, the Canadians kept things tight at the back and completely neutralized Jamaican forward Bunny Shaw, a finalist for this year’s Ballon d’Or. Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan only had to make one save on the night in the 79th minute.