THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO -- When Pat Onstad first started making appearances for Canada's national team, the players often weren't allowed to keep their jerseys.

That rule has long since changed, but the 40-year-old goalkeeper wasn't really looking to hold on to any memories of his record-tying 56th cap with the national side.

Canada was leading Jamaica 1-0 in its World Cup qualifier on Wednesday night before Andrew Williams curled a corner kick past Onstad in the 52nd minute. The big 'keeper got his hands on the ball with a scrum of players around him but was unable to keep it from crossing the goal-line.

The game finished in a 1-1 draw and Onstad was left shouldering a chunk of the blame for Canada's inability to secure three points.

"I'm disappointed in myself," said Onstad, who equalled Craig Forrest for the most career caps by a 'keeper. "I feel like I let the guys down. That's soccer sometimes.

"I felt it was probably my only mistake of the game. Unfortunately that's my position -- when you make a mistake it often costs you. It cost us dearly."

No one else was nearly as hard as on him.

A few of Onstad's teammates were quick to point out that the Houston Dynamo veteran made a nice save on a Williams free kick not long after allowing the goal. Coach Dale Mitchell indicated that he didn't plan on saying anything to his 'keeper other than to stay positive.

"Most of the guys patted me on the back," said Onstad.

The goal might not of counted if the referee had detected contact in the crease after Williams had taken the corner kick.

Onstad appeared off balance as the ball bounced off his hands and went in.

"(Jamaica's Deon) Burton had a pretty good hold of my sleeve," he said. "These things happen. In the end, ultimately it's my responsibility to keep the ball out."

Jamaican coach Rene Simoes described the goal as "lucky."

Even though the luck wasn't on the Canadian side, Onstad was able to identify a few positives after taking part in the first World Cup qualifying game to be held at BMO Field.

He's witnessed a lot of changes to Canadian soccer in the years since making his first senior appearance for the national team against Bermuda in February 1988.

"It's kind of night and day," said Onstad. "I think it's come a long way. I think now you have a team here on the field that can dictate play.

"You saw that for long stretches tonight where the guys kept possession and tried to break Jamaica down."