On a blue-sky Saturday in June, a little over a year from the first men’s World Cup game on Canadian soil, it seemed especially fitting that a man named Promise made his national team debut.
In the seconds before Canada’s opening kickoff against Ukraine at a festive BMO Field, Promise David, who usually goes by Tobi, stood in the sun beside star striker Jonathan David and smiled. He had taken such a long journey to that immaculate patch of grass.
“It was a full-circle moment,” the 23-year-old said after Canada’s 4-2 win, which also saw him score his first goal for country in front of dozens of his family and friends. The last time he was at BMO Field, he was a ball boy for Toronto FC.
Now the rest of his career is in front of him.
“I’m going to continue to elevate my game and do everything I can for the team,” he said.
WATCH | Jonathan David scores twice, Canada downs Ukraine at Canadian Shield:
Jonathan David scored the first two goals en route to a 4-2 Canadian win over Ukraine at the Canadian Shield tournament from BMO Field.
He’s had a breakout season with Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise, where his 24 goals across all competitions helped his club win its first league title in 90 years. It’s the latest and by far best stop in a globetrotting career, which has included sometimes dispiriting spells in Croatia, the U.S., Malta, and Estonia, as well as with Nigeria’s under-23 team.
In March, David joined the Canadian side at the CONCACAF Nations League finals, after head coach Jesse Marsch convinced him to switch allegiances. He didn’t play but the experience was an affirmation of his choice.
“It was always part of my plan,” David, who was born in Brampton, Ont., told CBC at the time.
Marsch used the opening game against Ukraine to do some of his own future casting. David and David might sound like a law firm that markets itself with billboards, but pairing Promise’s power and frame—he stands 6-5—with Jonathan’s pace and acumen paid immediate dividends, a stunning demonstration of Canada’s increasingly fearsome attack.
Jonathan David, who made 37 goal contributions this season for Lille and will likely land at a top European club before summer’s end, scored in only the 4th minute against Ukraine, ranked 25th in the world, five places higher than Canada.
He scored again in the 24th minute with a gorgeous glancing header.
A tale of 2 Davids
In both instances, Tajon Buchanan played a role in the buildup, including an inch-perfect cross on the second. He also added a goal of his own — his significant, even pivotal impact lost a little as the Davids continued to command most of the day’s attention.
“Obviously, two great players,” Buchanan said after. “Jonathan’s been doing it for a very long time and is a world-class striker, and Promise is up-and-coming and has been working extremely hard. I’m extremely happy for both of them.”
Jonathan David played mostly as a second striker to his emergent partner’s lead, lurking just behind him between occasional overlaps. Promise David, in his more dangerous early moments, was reminiscent of Romelu Lukaku, the physical, stamina-challenged Belgian giant.
In the 31st minute, he got his chance.
Promise David stole the ball from a Ukrainian defender and broke free, slipping a composed finish under the helpless keeper to score what proved the winner after two late goals from the visitors. His dream afternoon turned into an ecstatic one, and he slid on his knees before landing on his back with his arms outstretched, his face turned to the wide-open sky.
His teammates rushed to join him in celebration on the grass.
The first to arrive was Jonathan David.
