Canada’s run to the semi-finals of the 2024 Copa America was no fluke. They proved that on Saturday by beating the US Men’s National Team 2-1, securing their first win on American soil since 1957. Not only was it an historic victory, it was a victory Canada deserved. They were the stronger team.
And while Jesse Marsch’s team drew to Mexico 0-0 last night, it’s clear at present that Canada is the strongest national team in CONCACAF. It might trail the USMNT, Mexico and even Panama in the FIFA rankings, but the evidence at this point is solid. The ELO rankings – widely thought of as being more accurate than the FIFA rankings – have Canada at 28 and the USA at 40.
Canada qualified for the 2022 World Cup top of the final phase of CONCACAF qualification. That was under John Herdman, and the team flopped at the tournament in Qatar itself, exiting in the group stage. Since then, though, Marsch has built on top of the foundations that were left for him by the previous regime.
At the Copa America this summer, Canada played a brand of Red Bull-inspired soccer that can be traced back through Marsch’s managerial career from his time at the New York Red Bulls to his ultimately ill-fated spell at Leeds United. There is overlap with what Herdman professed as Canada boss, but Marsch has turned the dial to 11.
Victories over Peru and Venezuela as well as a draw against Chile and two respectably competitive defeats to eventual winners Argentina highlighted just how far Canada have come. Saturday’s win over the USA, albeit in a friendly match, further confirmed the confidence Marsch and his players have right now.
Against the USA, Marsch set up his team to counter-press high up the pitch. Canada baited their rivals into playing through the middle where they would collapse on them, win the ball back and have forwards in advanced positions to make the most of the opportunities. This is something that happened for both Canada goals. Even in their stalemate against Mexico, it was clear that Canada were the aggressor with a plan, while Mexico were primarily forced to send the ball over the top in an attempt to unlock opportunities.
In Jonathan David and Cyle Larin, Canada boast two physically strong and mobile forwards who can press from the front. In Stephen Eustaquio, they also have a midfield rhythm builder who can construct attacks on the ball at a high level. The 27-year-old is press resistant and is someone Canada can count on in possession.
At the back, Moise Bombito has emerged as a top-level central defender. The 24-year-old secured a transfer to Nice from the Colorado Rapids this summer and is improving all the time. Bombito was arguably the best player on the pitch for Canada against the USA as he kept Christian Pulisic in his back pocket.
Then there’s Alphonso Davies, who is the best individual performer in CONCACAF at this moment in time. The 23-year-old has been a key figure for Bayern Munich for a number of seasons and has reportedly been identified by Real Madrid for a transfer next summer. For Canada, he is a funnel into the attacking third down the left wing.
While the USMNT’s spread of talent makes for an awkward consistency in terms of the team on the pitch, Canada have their key players in key positions. They have a structure and Marsch has built around that structure – and will continue to with the 2026 World Cup starting to appear on the horizon.
“I’d much rather coach Canada than the US right now,” said Marsch, referencing how he was interested for the USMNT job before Gregg Berhalter was rehired last year. “You can see the mentality that’s been developed. You can see the way this team plays. You can see how much they love playing for the national team and they’re willing to put their careers and lives and the way they play on the line to be the best they can be for each other and for the team.”
Of course, the true test of Canada’s development under Marsch will come at the 2026 World Cup when The Canucks will play their matches on home soil. 2022 was a disappointment, but the signs since then have been encouraging. This is a team in alignment as they head in the right direction together.
