Canada plays scoreless draw in Olympic soccer qualifying
Up next, U.S. team that won 6-0
Canada opened the CONCACAF Olympic men's soccer qualifying tournament with a 0-0 draw with El Salvador on Thursday.
Canada goaltender Michal Misiewicz was especially strong for Canada, making a couple of big saves.
The 21-year-old goaltender, who plays for FC Edmonton on the North American Soccer League, made a particular stunning stop in the first half, when an El Salvador attacker was alone in front of the goal but Misiewicz got his foot on the shot.
El Salvador outshot Canada 12-10 and had six corner kicks to Canada's five.
Canada played a more disciplined game than its opponent, picking up six fouls to El Salvador's 11.
Canada's next Group A game is Saturday against the United States.
Joe Corona scored three goals as the Americans blasted Cuba 6-0.
Juan Agudelo and Freddy Adu also scored and the U.S. under-23 team also profited from a Cuban own goal to lead 4-0 at halftime.
Canada then plays Cuba on Monday, with the top two teams from the group advancing to the semifinals March 31 in Kansas City.
Group B consists of Mexico, Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago, and Panama.
Only two of the eight teams in the under-23 tournament go through to the London Olympics.
Canada has not qualified for the Olympics since 1984 Los Angeles Games.
With files from The Associated Press