PREVIEW: CanMNT eager to build on strong start to 2025 Gold Cup in tough test vs. Curaçao

After opening the 2025 Gold Cup with an impressive 6-0 win vs. Honduras at BC Place, the CanMNT heads south for their next group stage game, as they get set to face Curaçao at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston on Saturday (4:00 p.m. PT/7:00 p.m. ET). 

No doubt, with the confidence currently flowing through this Canadian team after opening the tournament on such a high at home, it’ll be expected that they continue that dominance in this match, but make no mistake - this is a tough test. 

Curaçao might have been the pot four team draw in this group, but they so far look to be Canada’s most dangerous opponent. 

They certainly proved that in their opening game, a 0-0 draw with El Salvador, one where they got the better of La Selecta, holding 60% of possession and generating 0.77 xG to their counterparts' 0.19. Despite that, however, they were unable to find any goals in crucial moments, missing two big chances. 

Therefore, heading into this one, they’ll want to build off what they showed defensively on Tuesday - they held El Salvador to just six shots and no big chances along with that low xG figure - while finding a way to breach a Canadian defence that has kept back-to-back clean sheets coming into this match. 

Speaking of Canada, however, there’s no doubt that they’ll come out flying, as they know that they can book their spot in the quarter-finals with a victory, and could even already secure top spot in the group if Honduras and El Salvador also draw their match on Saturday. 

Despite that, it’s expected that they will rotate their squad for this match, as they’re using this group stage to get a wider look at their player pool. That’s what makes their opening day dominance vs. Honduras so impressive, however, as they outshot them 19 to 7 and generated 4.61 xG to 0.8 in a commanding performance at both ends of the pitch, doing so despite missing a handful of regulars. 

Their squad has gotten stronger ahead of this match, as Alistair Johnston is available after coming in from his honeymoon the day of the Honduras game, but Derek Cornelius isn't quite ready as he recovers from a knock that also kept him out of the Gold Cup opener. 

Of course, the big story in terms of availability will be on the bench, as Jesse Marsch serves the second game of a two-match suspension handed down by Concacaf after he was sent off in the Nations League third place match in March - he’ll hope this is the last match he watches from the sideline as Concacaf continues to investigate an incident from the Honduras match that could prompt more discipline for Canada’s head coach. 

In terms of potential rotation from the Honduras match, Maxime Crépeau could earn a look in goal despite Dayne St.Clair putting in a strong performance, as Canada continues to stoke the fires of competition at that position. The same goes at the back, as Kamal Miller could hand Joel Waterman a rest at centre back, while Alistair Johnston and Zorhan Bassong will be candidates to start at full back, with Richie Laryea still working his way back to full fitness after returning from a long-term injury. 

Shifting up the pitch, Ismaël Koné will hope for an opportunity in midfield after not featuring at all vs. Honduras, while Jacob Shaffelburg is a candidate to slot in on the wing to give Canada a fresh look out wide. 

Then, of course, up front is a big question mark, as Tani Oluwaseyi and Promise David both scored vs. Honduras, making it hard to see who starts alongside Jonathan David, who is certain to stay in the starting 11 and keep the captain’s armband after playing just 63 minutes on Tuesday. 

As for Curaçao, they’re not expected to make many changes, if at all - they’ve essentially run back the same group for their last three games, a pair of World Cup qualifiers vs. Saint Lucia and Haiti, and the match vs. El Salvador, making just one change between those three matches. 

Of course, they’ll have to adjust tactically, as they’ve been playing a lot more aggressively in possession in those three matches, using a high line defensively, two things that could be very risky to do against a Canadian team that loves to press aggressively. Especially given that it’s expected to be 31° at kick-off on Saturday, it’ll be imperative that Curaçao adjusts their style not just to prepare for Canada, but also not to wear themselves out in the conditions, either.  

Yet, that shouldn’t be a problem for a team whose starting XI vs. El Salvador carried an average age of 29.1 - this is an experienced and savvy group, which is another reason why they’re expected to be Canada’s toughest test. This is a group that has experienced a lot in Concacaf over the last half-decade, and they want to keep building on that as they look to make some noise at this Gold Cup and then carry that momentum into the rest of World Cup qualifying.

Look for Canada to make the most of that test, as they themselves continue to evolve tactically. They took a step in the right direction vs. Honduras, and now they’ll want to keep that momentum rolling on Saturday in Houston. 

"They like to man-mark, they like to be physical," Marsch said of Curaçao. "They're a team that's very technical, and can play some good football, a lot of them having Dutch backgrounds, and I think their coach has done an amazing job of being very clear with who they are and what they are."

"They're an experienced team, too, so it will take another complete performance from us to be able to manage this game and this opponent, but it's one that we're excited for. We certainly do not underestimate them. We know that they're a very dangerous team. They've had good results over the last year, and we're excited for the challenge."

Canada vs. Curaçao kicks off at 4:00 p.m. PT/7:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 21, and will be broadcast live on OneSoccer, with prematch coverage beginning at 3:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. ET

PROJECTED LINEUPS

Canada: Crépeau; Sigur, De Fougerolles, Miller, Laryea; Choinière, Koné; Buchanan, Shaffelburg; P. David, J. David

Curaçao: Room; Gaari, Martina, van Eijma, Floranus; Comenencia, L. Bacuna; Margaritha, J. Bacuna, Gorré; Kastaneer

ALL-TIME SERIES

Canada wins: 3 || Curaçao wins: 0 || Draws: 0

Last meeting:

March 25, 2023 -- Curaçao 0-2 Canada (Concacaf Nations League)

KEY QUOTES

"This is a well rounded group. We will call on our entire squad in this Gold Cup. You've seen it with the June friendlies, we've rotated a lot of players, and they'll all be ready to go in the heat. We know from last summer that managing ourselves physically and making sure that we have lots of players ready to contribute will be important to our success, and this will be the same, so we'll make changes to the lineup for tomorrow, but we'll also put a team on the pitch that'll be fully ready to go." -- CanMNT head coach Jesse Marsch

"Yeah, I'm sure they'll have a savviness to them because of the time they've played together, they've been able to age together. Again, I think we're very much focused on ourselves, on our game plan and what we're going to do tomorrow. I think that is the most important thing for us, focusing on what we've come here to do and achieve. We have a lot of respect for the opponent, as well, but I think the most important thing is to focus on us in this game tomorrow." -- CanMNT full back, Richie Laryea