An optimistic Jesse Marsch unveiled his first roster as a Canadian coach on Monday, showing plenty of enthusiasm, if not innovation.
But only two weeks into his job, the 50-year-old American quickly realized that the 26-man squad was only the beginning of his journey. Canada is scheduled to play its first game in the Copa America on June 20, and more players will get a chance to impress after high-profile friendlies against the Netherlands and France on June 6 and 9 respectively.
“It might seem like this roster would have an easy move to the Copa America directly, but I think there are likely to be some changes depending on the health situation, performance in camp and other players I want,” Marsch said of his virtual availability in Italy. said through.
Marsh’s roster includes 20 of the 23 players called up by interim coach Mauro Biello for Canada’s final game. This was a 2-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago in the Copa America playoffs on March 23 in Frisco, Texas.
The three players who did not make Marsh’s squad are 22-year-old goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois, 28-year-old defender Joel Waterman (all CF Montreal), and 21-year-old forward Jacen Russell-Rowe (Columbus Crew). .
The additions include goalkeeper Thomas McGill, defenders Kyle Hebert, Ricci Larriea and Dominique Zator, and midfielders Charles Andreas Brim and Junior Hoilett.
There are only three players over the age of 30: goalkeeper Max Crepo (30), midfielder Jonathan Osorio (31), and Hoilett (33). 14 are under 25 years of age.
#CANMNT The roster has been revealed ahead of major European friendlies! 🍁
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effect #CANMNT Devoilé pour des matches amicaux cruciaux en Europe! 🍁 pic.twitter.com/SN2IM6r8m1
Ten have made fewer than 10 Canadian appearances, including 18-year-old uncapped defender Luc de Fougerolles.
Familiar names include Tajon Buchanan, Jonathan David, Alphonso Davies, Stephen Eustaquio, Alistair Johnston and Samuel Piette.
Calling Davies “one of the best left-backs in the world, if not the best left-back in the world,” Mashu said his goal is to “find a way to make the Bayern Munich star a key cog in our system.” Act.”
“I think we will try a few things at times to get him moving and get him on the ball more,” he added.
The roster includes 10 players from Major League Soccer, including CF Montreal’s Mathieu Choiniere and Piette and Toronto’s Osorio. The rest play in Europe.
Canada, ranked 49th in the world, will play seventh-ranked Netherlands there and then face second-ranked France three days later in Bordeaux.
The match marks Canada’s highest-ranked opponent since the 2022 World Cup, when the Canadian men lost 1-0 to second-place Belgium.
The match is a warm-up to Canada’s Copa America campaign, where the country will face World Cup winners and world No. 1s Argentina, Peru (32nd) and Chile (42nd) in Group A. Canada is one of six CONCACAF guest teams in the 16-team tournament.
The Netherlands and France are preparing for Euro 2024, which opens in Germany on June 14. The Netherlands and France were placed in Group D along with Poland (28th) and Austria (25th).
Marsh said he would name his coaching staff on Wednesday, hinting that Biello would be part of his team. Biello was Marsch’s assistant when he coached Montreal in its debut season in Major League Soccer in 2012.
As with the March roster, there is no room for veteran goalkeeper Milan Borjan, defender Steven Vitoria, midfielder Marc-Anthony Kay or forward Lucas Cavallini.
Jesse Marsch has already #CanMNTDo you have some tactical and lineup ideas in mind for ? Is there a 26-player roster with some major changes? 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/5D2n9DYSJO
Goalkeeper Gregory Swiderski, who plays for France’s Girondins de Bordeaux B team, will join the Canadian camp as a training player.
Marsch’s coaching resume includes Leeds United, RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, New York Red Bulls and Montreal Impact (now CF Montreal). His last job was at Leeds, where they sacked him in February 2023 after one year in the role.
Canadian men’s soccer team
x – represents training athletes.
Goalkeeper: Maxime Crepo, Portland Timbers (MLS); Thomas McGill, Brighton & Hove Albion (England); Dayne St. St. Clair, Minnesota United (MLS) l x-Gregoire Swiderski, Girondins de Bordeaux B (France).
Defender: Moise Bombito, Colorado Rapids (MLS); Derek Cornelius, Malmo FF (Sweden); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Luc de Fougerolles, Fulham (England); Kyle Hibbert (St. Louis City SC (MLS)); Alistair Johnstone, Celtic (Scotland); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Dominic Zator, Corona Kielce (Poland).
Midfielder: Charles-Andreas Bream, Sparta Rotterdam (Netherlands); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Matthew Chonière, CF Montreal (MLS); Stefan Eustace, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Aberdeen (Scotland); Ishmael Cohn, Watford (England); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Liam Millar, FC Basel (Switzerland); Samuel Piete, CF Montreal (MLS); Jacob Schappelberg, Nashville SC (MLS)
Forwards: Thelonius Baer, Motherwell (Scotland); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Ike Ugbo, ESTAC Troyes (France).
