MATCH PREVIEW: Can CanMNT finish 2025 with a statement vs. Venezuela?

It was the biggest victory so far in the Jesse Marsch era. In the 2024 Copa América quarter-final, Canada defeated Venezuela on penalties in a victory that helped Canada reach the final four of the oldest continental competition in world football. 

At the time, Marsch said he felt this was the game where things really clicked for Canada, and that the group had fully bought into, and executed, his game model. 

Sixteen months later, the two sides meet again in an international friendly on Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale for Canada’s final match of 2025. The match will be played at Chase Stadium, which is the home of Inter Miami. 

“We’re going to challenge them again by the intensity with which we play, and see if we can put the game on our terms,” Marsch told OneSoccer’s Kristian Jack on Sunday. “Another good challenge, but I think one where we’ll be really clear as to what we want to be. Let’s get a lead, and then protect it.” 

Canada are coming off of a 0-0 draw at BMO Field this past Thursday against another CONMEBOL side, Ecuador, despite going down to ten men in the sixth minute when Ali Ahmed was shown a red card. It was a strong performance, particularly defensively, that Marsch called one of their most important during his time in charge. 

As a result, Ahmed has returned to the Vancouver Whitecaps and will not be available for Tuesday’s match – although Canada is appealing the suspension. It was also announced on Monday that Jacob Shaffelburg has joined the team, with Cyle Larin returning to Feyenoord with a minor injury. Shaffelburg opened the scoring for Canada in their last match against Venezuela at the Copa América. 

Marsch also confirmed on Monday that Alfie Jones has taken his citizenship oath and will start on Tuesday. After missing out on Thursday with a minor injury, Derek Cornelius is available to start, while Max Crépeau will start in net. 

Heading into Tuesday’s match, Canada have gone 319 minutes without a goal since Cornelius stunned Wales with a free kick from distance in September. That includes going scoreless in their past three matches. 

It’s worth noting that the inverse is also true. Thursday was the seventh clean sheet Canada have kept this year – wherein they have only allowed eight goals in 13 matches. 

They face a Venezuela side who are coming off World Cup qualifying heartbreak, having narrowly missed out on the region’s inter-confederation playoff spot – and a chance at a first-ever World Cup appearance – by two points as they finished eighth out of ten teams in the region. They remain the only CONMEBOL side to have never reached the tournament. 

So, this is a Venezuela side with an eye toward the future under interim head coach, 33-year-old Fernando Aristeguieta. Nine players called up are aged 21 or younger, with 16 players of the 31 players they called into camp having two or fewer international caps. Only one player in the squad, 22-year-old Inter Miami midfielder Telasco Segovia, has scored more than once for Venezuela – with two international goals to his name. He is one of seven MLS players in the Venezuelan squad. 

They are without all-time leading goalscorer, Salomón Rondón, Fluminense attacker Yeferson Soteldo, and MLS star Josef Martínez. Captain Tomás Rincón, meanwhile, recently announced his retirement from international football. Still, there is quality within their ranks, headlined by Toulouse midfielder Cristian Cásseres Jr. 

Venezuela are coming off a solid 1-0 victory over Australia in Houston on Friday on a goal from Jesús Ramirez. The result broke a four-match losing streak for La Vinotinto, who have won just three times in their past 16 matches. 

Canada have never lost to Venezuela at the senior level, with all three of their previous meetings ending in draws after regulation, and Canada, as mentioned, winning on penalties at the Copa América. 

This projects to be another solid test for this Canadian group, who will want to make a significant statement in their final match of 2025. Victory, and a few goals, against Venezuela on Tuesday would go a long way toward building confidence over the winter months before their next action in March. 

Projected Lineups

Canada: Crépeau; Sigur, Cornelius, Jones, Laryea; Buchanan, Koné, Eustáquio, Shaffelburg; Oluwaseyi, David 

Venezuela: Contreras; Hernández, Ferraresi, León, Milani; Cásseres, Pereira; Mendoza, Segovia, Echenique; Ramírez 

All-time Series

Canada wins: 1 | Venezuela wins: 0 | Draws: 2

Last meeting: 

July 5, 2024 – Venezuela 1-1 Canada (3-4 on pens.)