HEALEY: CanMNT, composure and a draw versus Ecuador ‘we could win’

It took only a handful of minutes for Canada’s match plan to go out the window on Thursday as Ali Ahmed leapt into a challenge versus Ecuador’s Alan Franco, catching the full-back’s wrist with a reckless boot. Referee Fernando Hernandez didn’t hesitate in pulling out a red card, jeopardizing an important match for CanMNT head coach Jesse Marsch and his players before it had even begun.

Tempers ran hot in the ensuing moments as Marsch, his face the same red as Canada’s kits, seemed poised to have his frustrations boil over. Ahmed slammed his fist into the pitch in anger before being ushered off. Boos rained down from a sold-out BMO Field.

But Marsch’s players showed a composure and confidence in the ensuing 85 minutes of play which demonstrated how much they’ve grown as a squad. Their mindset is perhaps best exemplified by a few quiet words spoken by Stephen Eustáquio, long Canada’s heartbeat on the pitch, to his head coach following Ahmed’s red.

They were the words of a leader.

“Our guys weren’t fazed,” recounted Marsch following the 0-0 draw. “They could’ve gotten frustrated, they could’ve gotten upset about it but they stayed focused. Even when I rolled into the refs, Steph (Eustáquio) comes to me and says: ‘Don’t worry coach, we got this.’”

Canada entered Thursday’s match looking to answer a number of questions. The battle for the gloves continues between goalkeepers Dayne St. Clair — who was excellent on the night — and Maxime Crépeau. And although Marsch noted striker Tani Oluwaseyi is in pole position to start at the World Cup alongside Jonathan David, it remains unclear if the Villarreal man has the creativity on the ball to produce consistently for his country as he’s only two markers through 20 caps. 

There’s also a question around the program’s ability to score goals. With Thursday’s scoreless draw, Marsch’s side has now gone three matches without a goal or a total of 319 minutes, although it should be noted that Ecuador are one of the best defensive teams in CONMEBOL. Many of Canada’s best players, be it David or Eustáquio, are in poor club form. Their striker pool is struggling. And their inability to break low blows remains a relevant talking points just seven months away from the World Cup

But Thursday’s performance left no doubt that Canada is capable mentally and defensively of competing with the world’s best as they limited Ecuador to a meagre four shots despite relinquishing 76 per cent of possession. It was a gutsy performance that they’ll wear like a badge of honour.

“It’s not the most entertaining match, it’s not like it’s our best performance but in terms of intelligence and maturity and saviness and understanding how to handle the opponent and the situation, that was a huge step for us in terms of like really being an experienced, hard team,” said Marsch.

“Really, really proud of us, really disciplined, really organized and look, Tani (Oluwaseyi) has the biggest chance of the game. If we manage to nick one, I think we could win that.”

It felt at times that Canada might steal the match as several players put in strong shifts, including Eustáquio, who Marsch said was “fantastic,” Ismaël Koné, Richie Laryea and Tajon Buchanan. Laryea, in particular, continues to make his case to start for Marsch as he helped create Canada’s most dangerous chance of the match in the 13th minute, collecting a lofted ball before dribbling into the box and laying it off to Oluwaseyi. The 25-year old striker one-timed the pass and forced Ecuador’s goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez to make a save but ultimately failed to convert on Canada’s lone big chance.

Not that the forwards weren’t playing well; their off the ball pressing was integral in forcing Ecuador into long balls or retreating passes as they took away time and space.

“The front guys put in so much work,” centre-back Kamal Miller explained post-match. “Tani, Jo David even, everyone out there, the amount of spring to close down defenders and, you know, we just have to get little headers on the ball and they’re always there to pick up the seconds.

“We’re honoured and lucky to have forwards like that. I think Jesse does a good job of instilling that in our attackers.”

One of Marsch’s tenets from the beginning has been about work ethic and it’s a big part of their excellent defensive record. They’ve recorded four clean sheets out of their last five matches, including a contest where they were down to 10 men for the majority of play. 

It’s also worth noting that Canada’s accomplished that defensive feat while dealing with significant injuries. The backline versus Ecuador — Niko Sigur, Joel Waterman, Miller and Laryea — will not be the backline that starts at BMO Field in June. Reinforcements are on the way. But even as players outside of Marsch’s preferred starting XI, all were up to the task and performed admirably.

That depth may prove pivotal if the program continues to be plagued by injuries.

“Just not being in the system for a while and being in and out of camps, I think it was a big ask to come in against a team like this but like I said, the guys around me, they make it easy. I feel like I’m always able to use my experience no matter what the situation is to slot in for a game and be solid for my country and that’s what I did today,” said Miller.

“Before the game, I gave a little speech on how I felt personally to reach 50 (caps) and then what it means to me and all the guys who are gaining more and more caps. Just to be a part of it means the world to me.”

There is, however, a feeling of a missed opportunity in some regards, part of the refinement the squad still needs to undergo as they sharpen themselves ahead of the biggest tournament in Canada Soccer’s history. But there’s no doubt — even with a red card — that this group has the mentality to push through adversity.

“We were like: ‘Okay, guys, we have this.’ They’re not creating so much damage. Our backline, for me today, was amazing because they pushed us really high, which helped a lot. Obviously, with the speed we have and the quality we have, with a half a chance, we could’ve scored,” said Eustáquio.

Sometimes, all it takes is a half chance. And it’s that realization, and determination to eke out that extra goal in a tough situation, which may just separate this CanMNT group from any that have come before.

“I think a tie ... it’s okay,” said Eustáquio.

But what they really wanted was a win. They’ll get another opportunity against Venezuela on Tuesday.