CanMNT Form Guide: Koné and Buchanan finding form on loan, Canadian strikers stay hot
Following their third-place finish at the 2025 Concacaf Nations League, Canadian men's national team players returned to their respective clubs this weekend, with several delivering standout performances.
Of particular note, Ismaël Koné and Tajon Buchanan are finding form with their respective loan clubs, while Canadian strikers continue to find the back of the net at a prolific rate.
Here are the biggest stories from the weekend for national team players, as well as some key updates on Canadian players across the globe:
CANADIANS ABROAD ✈️ 🇨🇦
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) March 31, 2025
It's ALWAYS Tani Time in Minnesota, but it was also Tajon Buchanan and Ismael Kone's time to shine at Villarreal and Stade Rennais respectively 😎
PLUS: Looks like everyone wants a piece of #CanMNT striker Promise David... 😅 pic.twitter.com/gVIwi21BWv
Ismaël Koné delivers masterclass for Rennes
It appears as though starting twice in the Concacaf Nations League finals gave Ismaël Koné a crucial boost of confidence.
Returning to action with Rennes this week in Ligue1 action, Koné entered their match against Angers on Sunday in the 63rd minute off the bench. Just seven minutes after coming into the match, Koné took a pass at the top of the box, beat his man and sent a stunning strike into the top left corner of the net.
It was Koné's first Ligue1 goal, and he followed it up by providing an assist in second-half stoppage time in a 3-0 victory for Rennes. Since joining Rennes on loan from Marseille during the winter window, Sunday was unquestionably Koné's best performance for his new club yet.
Tajon Buchanan starting to find his stride with Villarreal
After making his first start for Villarreal prior to the international window, against Real Madrid no less, Buchanan was in the XI again on Sunday against Getafe.
He wasted no time in making an impact, setting up Ayoze Pérez for the match's opening goal in the 15th minute. Buchanan created two chances, completed three dribbles, was fouled six times and won 10 of 12 duels during an outstanding 67 minutes of action.
Next up for fifth-place Villarreal is a clash against fourth-place Athletic Bilbao, one that could prove crucial in the race for the fourth and final UEFA Champions League qualification spot in Spain.
Canadian strikers stay hot in return to club action
Promise David may not have been handed his international debut during the 2024-25 Concacaf Nations League finals, but that didn't slow down his club form at all.
In fact, it doesn't seem like much can slow down the striker lately, as he scored his 17th goal of the season despite his defender literally ripping the shirt off his back in an attempt to stop him from scoring in transition. David's goal was the second in a stunning 5-1 victory for Union Saint-Gilloise against Antwerp on Saturday. He started and played 63 minutes.
David is far from the only Canadian striker in top form, as fresh off scoring his first international goal for Canada against the United States, Tani Oluwaseyi scored both goals for Minnesota United on Saturday in a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake. Oluwaseyi now has four goals and an assist in five matches this season.
Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, Charles-Andreas Brym continues to have a quietly strong season for Almere City. Since joining the club from Sparta Rotterdam in January, he has now scored three goals, including opening the scoring in a 2-0 victory against Willem II on Saturday. It was a vital three points for Almere, who are locked in a relegation battle in the Dutch top division.
In other action...
Junior Hoilett scored a stunning 18th-minute strike and added an assist to power Hibernian past St. Johnstone 3-0 in the Scottish Premiership.
Harry Paton picked up an assist in a 4-1 loss for Motherwell against Aberdeen elsewhere in Scotland.
Dayne St. Clair made four saves to keep his third clean sheet of the season in a 2-0 victory against Real Salt Lake.
Max Crépeau was on the bench once again as fellow Canadian James Pantemis helped Portland Timbers to a 3-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo. Kamal Miller also went the full 90 minutes for Portland at central defender.
Tom McGill was on the bench for Brighton in their penalty shootout loss to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Alistair Johnston went 90 minutes for Celtic in a 3-0 victory over Hearts on Saturday.
Zorhan Bassong came into Saturday's 2-1 loss for Sporting Kansas City against FC Dallas in stoppage time. Fellow Canadian Stephen Afrifa was an unused sub.
Jamie Knight-Lebel was an unused substitute in Crewe Alexandra's 1-0 loss to Port Vale.
Joel Waterman went the full 90 minutes for CF Montréal in a 1-1 draw with the Chicago Fire. Luca Petrasso also picked up an assist in that match for Montréal.
Derek Cornelius played the full 90 minutes as Marseille were stunned 3-1 by Reims on Saturday.
Moïse Bombito played 76 minutes as AS Monaco lost 2-1 to Monaco on Saturday.
Niko Sigur played 71 minutes as a right full-back for Hajduk Split in a 1-0 victory over Šibenik on Sunday -- a match won on a goal by Ivan Rakitić. Hajduk Split are currently top of the Croatian league table.
Stephen Eustáquio played 91 minutes as a central defender for Porto against Estoril in a 2-1 victory.
Jacob Shaffelburg was a 67th-minute substitute for Nashville SC against FC Cincinnati on Saturday in a 2-1 loss.
Ali Ahmed and Jonathan Osorio both started in a 0-0 draw between Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, with Osorio going the full 90 for Toronto FC, and Ahmed playing 79 minutes for the Whitecaps.
Mathieu Choinière played 78 minutes in a 2-1 loss to FC Zurich on Sunday.
Cyle Larin was not in the team for Mallorca as they lost 1-0 to Valencia.
Jonathan David went 87 minutes in a 1-0 Derby du Nord victory for Lille against Lens.
Daniel Jebbison came off the bench in the 85th minute in Bouremouth's 2-1 loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
