KEY TAKEAWAYS: What we learned from the CanMNT’s friendlies vs. Australia, Colombia
Two down, two to go.
The CanMNT continued their sprint towards the 2026 World Cup this week, as they took on Australia and Colombia in a pair of friendlies in Montréal and New Jersey, respectively.
After a successful September window, one where they beat Romania and Wales, Canada was hoping to build on that in October, as they got the chance to take on two teams already qualified for the World Cup next summer.
Unfortunately, that wouldn’t end up being the case, however, as they fell 1-0 to Australia and drew 0-0 with Colombia. Despite that, there was a lot to like with this window from a Canadian perspective.
In particular, the performances themselves were quite good - against Australia, Canada controlled large chunks of the game, but only fell victim to a lack of finishing and a key defensive error, while against Colombia, Canada traded blows with a team expected to make a deep run next summer.
That’s important to note, because often friendlies are mainly judged on performances, not results, which is why Canada will be feeling quite good about themselves despite not winning.
"We're starting to look more like a complete team."
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) October 15, 2025
Jesse Marsch on how the CanMNT 🇨🇦 have developed and grown in 2025, as they continue to prepare for the 2026 World Cup 💪 pic.twitter.com/BZ5XOtlSKh
At the same time, Canada will bemoan missed opportunities to win, as they had the chance to leave both games with victories. For a team still looking for a signature result against a top team ahead of next summer, that’ll sting, although they’ll have a chance to avenge that in the November window, as they take on Ecuador and Venezuela.
Yet, that’s the balance that head coach Jesse Marsch will look to keep when analyzing these matches - he’ll be pleased with the growth of his side, while acknowledging that there are still some areas where his team will be better ahead of the next window.
Before looking too far ahead, however, here’s a look at some KEY takeaways from this October window.
Where did the goals go?
Heading into this window, when seeing the injuries Canada was dealing with at the back, most would’ve suggested that they might’ve struggled a bit more defensively than offensively, where they’ve got most of their key players to choose from.
Instead, Canada conceded just one goal this window, as they continue to be excellent defensively - they’ve conceded just one goal in their last four games, and have conceded only eight goals in 12 games in 2025.
By comparison, though, the goals were quite hard to come by in these two games, as they were shut out in each of them, leaving them held off the scoresheet in back-to-back games for the first time since the start of the Jesse Marsch era, when they were held scoreless in the first three games of his tenure.
That’s a huge worry, because this Canadian team certainly has the pieces to be more dangerous than they’ve been offensively, but they’re still searching for that right balance in attack.
They’ve had a few big offensive performances under Marsch - they scored three in their recent friendly vs. Romania, had six vs. Honduras at the Gold Cup, put four past Ukraine in a friendly in June, and had three goals in a Nations League match vs. Suriname last November, but they’ve also been shut out in 10 games and held to just one goal in six other games under Marsch.
What that shows, though, is that it’s typically been boom or bust for them - of the 32 goals they’ve scored in 25 games under Marsch, 26 of them have come across nine games, with the six others being spread out across those 16 matches where they scored one or fewer goals.
To stick with this window, though, it’s worth noting that they also let themselves down with their finishing, especially against Australia, where they generated 2.61 xG off 16 shots (via WyScout).
SHAFFELBURG IS DENIED✖️
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) October 11, 2025
The #CanMNT thought they had their equalizer, but Jacob Shaffelburg is denied by a fantastic save from Paul Izzo after a great ball from Liam Millar pic.twitter.com/9qp8FmKXQu
They were significantly less dangerous against Colombia, generating just 0.1 xG off four shots (via WyScout), but despite that, they had a similar number of positional attacks (34 vs. Colombia, 42 vs. Australia), which is worth noting, as they struggled with their final third actions.
Yet, there are a multitude of factors to look at when exploring why Canada struggled offensively in this window.
One big one is the struggles of certain individuals - Jonathan David, in particular, had a tough window, generating just one shot across both games (although he had a goal ruled off vs. Colombia for offside), as he failed to score in a Canadian camp for the first time since June of 2024; before this camp, he’d scored 11 goals and added four assists in his last 21 appearances for Canada since the start of the Copa América.
GOAL... BUT OFFSIDE 🇨🇦
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) October 15, 2025
Jonathan David smacks one home for the CanMNT 🇨🇦 vs. Colombia 🇨🇴 but Jacob Shaffelburg was a hair offside in the build-up, and it's disallowed 🥲 pic.twitter.com/sGTHO0Synw
He wasn’t the only one who struggled, though - Cyle Larin had just one shot in a starting role vs. Australia, while Tani Oluwaseyi failed to generate a shot in his start vs. Colombia - showing that Canada’s woes went far beyond Jonathan David.
HOW DID THAT NOT GO IN?😭
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) October 11, 2025
The #CanMNT come inches away from an equalizer, as Tani Oluwaseyi gets up to a dangerous cross, but his header hits the post and stays out! pic.twitter.com/OhgjUhCUMx
In particular, it felt like Canada’s movement was quite robotic in the final third, as they were too indecisive with their actions. They’d do a great job of getting the ball into the right area of the pitch - they attempted a whopping 90 passes into the final third vs. Australia, and still attempted a respectable 45 passes into the final third vs. Colombia, but they weren’t able to turn that territory into enough dangerous chances, as they’d be slow to whip in the right cross or deliver the killer through ball into the box.
Because of that, it’ll be interesting to see how Canada adjusts their attack going forward, as they’ve certainly got work to do offensively. Their big goal will be to get Jonathan David more involved offensively, as he tends to be the heartbeat of this attack, but they’d love to get another forward firing alongside him, and will hope for more goals from their wingers and midfielders.
For what it’s worth, though, it’s important to note Promise David had a good camp - he generated three shots off the bench vs. Australia, and was very lively in a 19-minute cameo vs. Colombia. Perhaps his box threat could be what Canada needs to spark their attack - while they might lose a bit defensively if he starts, he’d offer them more of a target for crosses and a true back-to-goal presence.
The midfield picture is becoming clear:
Elsewhere, though, a big positive has to be in the middle of the park, where Marsch certainly got some clarity about a key positional battle ahead of next summer.
There, Ismaël Koné arguably cemented his spot as a starter with two strong performances, as he’s now shone in four straight starts for Canada - along with the fantastic play of Stephen Eustáquio against Colombia, that pair looks assured to start together for Canada heading into next summer.
Of course, Canada has continued to get good performances from their other midfield options, Nathan Saliba and Mathieu Choinière (and don’t forget Niko Sigur, who continues to fill in nicely at full back), but against Colombia, Koné and Eustáquio offered a reminder of what the pair can do at their best.
In particular, the Eustáquio performance against Colombia was quite encouraging, as he’s struggled for minutes at Porto to start the year, yet didn’t miss a beat when playing 90 minutes against one of the top countries in the world. Even though Eustáquio is a surefire Canadian starter in the eyes of most, with Saliba’s strong play lately, seeing him raise his level the way he did just offered a reminder of why he’s been the one true lock in midfield over the last few months.
Wore the armband and led the charge all night long! Stephen Eustáquio earns tonight’s @GatoradeCanada Performance of the Match!
— CANMNT (@CANMNT_Official) October 15, 2025
Il a porté le brassard et mené la charge toute la soirée! Stephen Eustaquio se mérite la Performance Gatorade Canada du match!
🇨🇦🇨🇴#CANMNT pic.twitter.com/KkGobYxlBJ
With Koné, though, the big thing that has stood out has been his consistency, as he’s not had a dip in level across these four straight games he’s now started in a row for Canada. When at his best, there’s no doubting what Koné can bring to this team, but he’s struggled to maintain that level across multiple games at a time - between this stretch for Canada and his play for U.S. Sassuolo to start the year, he’s arguably on his best run of form as a player, however.
Plus, he’s not just looking great on the ball, where he’s gliding through defenders and attempting incisive passes - he’s also doing a lot of dirty work defensively, as he’s making sure to be impactful on both sides of the ball, too.
Because of that, look for Koné and Eustáquio to build off this window in November, with Saliba, Choinière and Sigur all continuing to push beyond them. A lot can happen between now and that tournament, and even within that tournament, so it’ll be important that trio remains ready to step up, should their number get called, even if Koné and Eustáquio look set to be the main starting pair going forward.
The Richie Laryea question:
After another strong performance from Richie Laryea vs. Colombia, Marsch was filled with praise for his full back, noting that he’s “probably been our best player” since March, adding that he’s making “an incredible case to make sure he’s a starter at the World Cup”.
That’s huge to note, because Laryea’s inclusion as a starter will open all sorts of question marks, as it’s important to remember that while he’s been so good at right and left back, he wasn’t the preferred option at those positions at the start of Marsch’s tenure.
Those players, of course, were Alistair Johnston at right back and Alphonso Davies at left back, but with both out injured, that opened the door for Laryea to step up and shine.
In particular, the Colombia performance was quite impressive as Laryea earned an early yellow card and was almost sent off within the first 20 minutes of the match after a hard foul. While the decision to keep him on the pitch was more than fair, that left him walking a tightrope for the next 70 minutes.
To his credit, though, he walked that tightrope masterfully, even making an excellent slide tackle in the box with the game still 0-0 in the dying moments, as he was unbothered by the prospect of earning another yellow - instead, he finished with six tackles, three interceptions, six recoveries and eight out of 10 won duels.
Of course, with Laryea, the argument will always be that his style of play is a disciplinary risk, but the fact of the matter is that in 69 appearances for Canada and 220 club appearances, he’s yet to earn a red card despite having a whopping 63 yellow cards (11 for Canada, 52 at the club level).
Ultimately, he’s proven to be the absolute master of controlled aggression, knowing how to antagonize opponents without ever finding him crossing the line that players who play like him typically tend to cross once or twice.
That’s worth noting, because one of the hallmarks of Marsch’s system is controlled aggression - when describing Laryea’s style of play, does he not fit that designation to a tee when considering his lack of red cards?
Because of that, it’s becoming harder and harder to imagine him dropping out of the squad when Davies and Johnston return to action, and Marsch hinted as much after the Colombia game.
No Alphonso Davies or Alistair Johnston for the CanMNT 🇨🇦 in this window, but ...
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) October 15, 2025
... does Jesse Marsch now have a full-back selection headache in the form of Richie Laryea? 👀#TFClive pic.twitter.com/Alp0KWzulX
Interestingly, though, unlike the thoughts of many, who want Davies to push up to left midfield, with Laryea at left back and Johnston at right back, you have to wonder if Laryea shifts over to right back - and it doesn’t feel coincidental that Marsch said that Laryea ‘can have that same performance at right back’ when praising his excellent play vs. Colombia.
With the continued strong all-around play of Ali Ahmed on the left wing, the return to form of Tajon Buchanan on the right wing, and the impending return of Davies to left back, it seems the battle could come down to Laryea vs. Johnston at right back - and it certainly feels like Laryea is playing from the front with how strong he’s been lately.
The kids are alright:
It was a remarkable vote of confidence - just days after the 22-year-old Niko Sigur and 19-year-old Luc De Fougerolles had a bit of a moment to forget on Australia’s winning goal, which came after Sigur was dispossessed by Nestory Irankunda in a prone position (one where De Fougerolles could’ve perhaps supported him better), Marsch started Sigur and De Fougerolles (who turned 20 just before the game) in Canada’s back four against Colombia.
To their credit, the pair were excellent, too, as Sigur managed to more than hold his own against a world-class attacker in Bayern Munich’s Luis Diaz, while De Fougerolles did well to not look out of place in the heart of Canada’s backline once again.
Yet, that speaks to the confidence Marsch has in the pair, as he could’ve easily dropped Sigur after his error, or not thrown De Fougerolles in against a team of Colombia’s calibre, but Marsch kept his belief high in his young players, and they rewarded him with good performances.
As expected, Jesse Marsch rolls out arguably the best XI he has at his disposal right now vs Colombia. Most notable? Canada's head coach goes right back to Niko Sigur and Luc de Fougerolles after a mistake against Australia. Plenty of belief in their potential among #CANMNT
— Joshua Kloke (@joshuakloke) October 14, 2025
At the same time, this helps explain how Canada have been able to cope in the absence of Davies, Johnston, and Moïse Bombito, who most would argue are three-fourths of Canada’s starting backline - Sigur and De Fougerolles have stepped up in a big way, helping support the excellent play of veterans Laryea and Derek Cornelius.
Heading into next summer, that’s quite encouraging, as it’s becoming clear that Marsch can trust the young pair to play a big role if needed.
At this point, it’s going to be hard for either to break into Canada’s starting lineup for the World Cup, as Sigur faces incredibly stiff competition at both right back and in midfield (showing how good he’s been to even be a strong candidate for minutes at both positions at this stage), while De Fougerolles is in tough to displace a healthy Bombito and Cornelius, but that shouldn’t deter them.
If the last few months have taught us anything, it’s that injuries can happen at any moment, and if anyone knows anything about tournament play, suspensions and other things happen there, too.
Because of that, while Sigur and De Fougerolles might be hard-pressed to start Canada’s World Cup opener, they could have a big role to play off the bench that game if they don’t start - and it certainly wouldn’t be a surprise to see them start big games later in the tournament if any players pick up injuries, suspensions or poor form.
For two young players, that’s not a bad thing at all, as that means they’re doing exactly what players in their position should be doing - pushing their teammates to be at their best while giving Marsch a selection headache.
Who knows - at the rate that they’re playing, maybe they very well might play themselves into a starting role in the World Cup opener, but no matter what happens, they continue to show that while they’ll have a big role to play in Canada’s future, they remain key players to watch in the present (by the way, you can throw Saliba, who is in between Sigur and De Fougerolles in age, into this mix, too).
St. Clair has his signature moment:
Unfortunately for Marsch, if he was hoping to get some clarity on his goalkeepers this window, it’s hard to say he got that, as he once again let Maxime Crépeau and Dayne St. Clair started a game apiece, with the former starting vs. Australia and the latter vs. Colombia.
Crépeau was unfortunate to concede on the only shot he faced vs. Australia, although it’s hard to fault him much for that goal, given the error that preceded it. Otherwise, though, he was quite solid, as he tends to be.
Then, for St. Clair, he also had a pretty quiet game, facing just one shot, but he made the most of that shot, as he denied Yáser Asprilla with a fantastic save in second-half stoppage time.
In particular, that was quite key for St. Clair, as one thing he’s (fairly or unfairly) been criticized for is that he hasn’t always made the ‘big’ save that Crépeau has a knack for making when he wears the Canadian shirt - it’s safe to say that St. Clair’s stop was of the ‘big’ variety.
Of course, what’s good for St. Clair is less than ideal for Marsch, as it just further murkies the waters in this battle for the #1. While St. Clair has undoubtedly had the better club form in the past 18 months, Crépeau has had the slight edge with his play for country - but St. Clair has done well to close that gap with excellent showings vs. Wales and now Colombia in recent windows.
Because of that, it’ll be fascinating to now see what happens in the November window. This summer, it felt like Canada had to figure out who their #1 was by the end of that window, but that may prove to be an impossible task, especially when considering that the pair are both free agents and could be set to change clubs this winter, which could further change the equation heading into next spring and summer.
Ultimately, Marsch knows he has a tough decision to make sooner rather than later - he’s recently joked that he’s already dreading the conversation with the guy who won’t start more than the conversation with the guy who will actually get the net - but windows like this aren’t offering him any clarity in that decision-making process.
