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In the fallout of last summer’s Copa América failure, the United States Soccer Federation made the decision to move on from Gregg Berhalter as the manager of the Men’s National Team. His replacement has yet to be named, and former Under-20 coach Mikey Varas will be in charge during the September international window. Canada provides the first friendly challenge, with the program rivals appearing to have made strides in the correct direction this year. The match is scheduled for Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, an 18,467-seat soccer-specific stadium with a “summer latitude Bermuda base” grass surface. This is the 41st all-time meeting between the two teams, with the USMNT holding a 17-10-13 advantage and claiming the most recent rendezvous in a shootout in the quarterfinal round of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Ranked 40th internationally by FIFA, Canada qualified for the Copa América by notching a victory over Trinidad and Tobago (2-0) in the regional playoff. Les Rouges (The Reds) emerged from Group A in second place after falling to Argentina (0-2), topping Peru (1-0), and drawing Chile (0-0). The knockout phase included a shootout victory over Venezuela (1-1 [4-3]) in the quarterfinal round before dropping consecutive fixtures to Argentina (0-2) and Uruguay (2-2 [3-4]), the latter in penalties, resulting in a fourth-place finish. Replacing John Herdman, Jesse Marsch was appointed to the manager role in May of 2024 after the position remained open for several months; his hiring was “made possible due to major philanthropic contributions” from Major League Soccer sides Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and CF Montréal. The 50-year-old American from Racine, Wisconsin earned two senior international caps and later served as an assistant during Bob Bradley’s tenure. He generated a bit of media attention during the Copa América by noting disappointment in the USMNT due to “a lack of discipline” while also pointing out that the federation “had the chance to hire [him]” and suggesting subpar treatment during the interview process.
Marsch named a 23-player roster for the friendlies against the USMNT and Mexico, a group that features two young talents making their respective “camp debuts.” Major League Soccer is home to 13 of the call-ups, while 10 are on the books at European clubs. Notable absences include Samuel Piette, Tajon Buchanan, Ismaël Koné, Luc de Fougerolles, and Kyle Hiebert. Nathan Saliba was added as an injury replacement for Sam Adekugbe, and Jacen-Russell-Rowe stepped in for Theo Bair.
GOALKEEPERS (3): Maxime Crépeau (Portland Timbers), Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United), Jonathan Sirois (CF Montréal)
DEFENDERS (7): Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Alistair Johnston (Celtic), Kamal Miller (Portland Timbers), Derek Cornelius (Marseille), Moïse Bombito (Nice), Joel Waterman (CF Montréal)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC), Stephen Eustáquio (Porto), Ali Ahmed (Vancouver Whitecaps), Mathieu Choinière (Grasshopper), Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split), Nathan Saliba (CF Montréal)
FORWARDS (7): Cyle Larin (Mallorca), Jonathan David (Lille), Liam Millar (Hull City), Jacob Shaffelburg (Nashville SC), Tani Oluwaseyi (Minnesota United), Stephen Afrifa (Sporting Kansas City), Jacen Russell-Rowe (Columbus Crew SC)
During the Copa América, Marsch employed a 4-4-2 formation that adhered to his usual high-pressing system, pushed the tempo, and baited the opponents into low-percentage long passes. His tactical style attempts to guide the run of play into a “predetermined trigger at which point his teams spring their press high and hard” with “forwards looking to push the [back line] to play the ball out wide,” as the sideline is an extra defender. His strategy is considered apt for Canada’s set-up that “already centers much of their philosophies around notions of intensity” and “are looking to go on the hunt to score” with “speed, verticality, and dynamism.” Total Football Analysis notes that the “most exciting” talents are found on the wings, with the midfielders and fullbacks rotating on the outside in order to penetrate and create isolation in the attacking area.
Projected Canada Starting XI (via BuildLineup.com)
With the number-one role open, Maxime Crépeau appears favored to be in the starting lineup when the World Cup kicks off in 2026. The 30-year-old Portland Timbers goalkeeper has slowly built himself into one of MLS’ best at the position and established himself as a strong presence when coming off of his line. He is a bit undersized at five-foot-eleven but utilizes strong footwork and agility to make all of the expected saves, whether smothering close-range opportunities or reaching the challenging shots from distance. Total Football Analysis praised his Copa América performance as “outstanding,” providing constant emergency stops when left on an island as his team employed a high press.
In just a few years, Moïse Bombito has enjoyed a steep rise from the American junior college ranks all the way to Nice, with the French club signing him over the summer for a reported $7.7 million transfer fee. The six-foot-three centre-back has “a variety of skills” and is comfortable in possession, but his equanimity is balanced with a physical nature that enables ball-winning on the ground and in the air. With the tactics requiring more athleticism on the back line, the physically imposing Derek Cornelius has stepped into a starting role with contributions in all phases of the game: from crunching tackles to fantastic long distribution and soaring headers on set pieces. The 26-year-old Marseille defender pushes forward with alacrity to meet the opponent and intercept passes while also displaying guile in one-on-one duels, using his pace to cover wingers on the outside.
Celtic fullback Alistair Johnston is a perfect fit for Marsch’s grinding tactics by sliding in for tackles, sacrificing his body on shot blocks, and winning balls in the air. He covers the length of the field with ease and can contribute in the final third, but his main contributions are as a shutdown player on the outside. While his club career has gone through peaks and valleys, Richie Laryea remains a constant for Canada by driving into the attacking half with runs that cut through walls of opponents. His defensive work will have to improve, but the 29-year-old Toronto FC wide player manages to impede wingers and intercept enough passes to justify his inclusion.
Supporters eagerly await the debut of Niko Sigur; the versatile midfielder-defender who switched over from Croatia is a recent convert to the back line and “among the best in duels” with “excellent timing and very good angles to [make] challenges.” The Hajduk Split breakout talent excels at separating the ball from wingers, withstands pressure with intelligent touches, and makes a constant presence in the final third with incisive distribution and the occasional accurate shot. Porto midfielder Stephen Eustáquio sets the tempo by “switching play [from] left to right and helping the team break through the thirds” while also “remaining calm and composed in passing the ball around” the field. He is a hurdle on defense with a steady stream of tackles and success in the air and manages to acquit himself well in the opponent’s box as a creator and charging finisher. With Koné out due to injury, Jonathan Osorio is the expected replacement after three starts and three substitute appearances at the Copa América, providing constant ball advancement and a willingness to engage in the one-on-one. The 32-year-old from Toronto “controls [the area] and distributes effectively” but can also provide a measure of attacking prowess and creativity in the final third with ambitious dribbling and a keen finishing touch. There is also Mathieu Choinière of Grasshopper Club Zurich, who is praised for his flexibility and adds a balanced two-way profile with long solo runs out of the back in order to join the transition game. The “useful player” who “spends a lot of time in the right half-space” can carry possession forward, makes safe decisions when under pressure, and manufactures chances when given space.
Despite seeming constant reports of a transfer, Alphonso Davies remains at Bayern Munich, driving at defenders with terrifying speed and improving distribution in the final third that should have been rewarded with a few more finishes from teammates…
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