Promise, and frustration too, following CanMNT’s loss to Australia

Oh, yes, there were moments of promise for the Canadian men’s national team in Montréal.

There was Ismaël Koné’s careening dribble late in the first half, a mad-run through a maze of Australian defenders that nearly ended in glory. Then there was Promise David’s look in the 68th minute from up close that was somehow turned aside, causing the Union Saint-Gilloise man to hold his head in disbelief. But Canada’s best opportunity of the night fell to the boot of Nova Scotia’s Jacob Shaffelburg, who pounced on a delectable ball from Liam Millar in the match’s final stanzas before being stopped by ‘keeper Paul Izzo.

The evening, however, ended in disappointment as Canada fell 1-0 to Australia in a contest that showcased their potential but also saw them run out of ideas against a low block that frustrated a packed Stade Saputo on Friday night.

Both head coach Jesse Marsch and his players were positive post-match, with their side playing the protagonist in a rare tilt on Canadian soil.

“For me, the ideas were good,” Marsch told reporters. “The connections on the pitch and the way that we tried to find space and test them behind their back line was good.

“We needed to be a little bit sharper in some of the final third moments and maybe if we’re a little bit luckier in a couple little moments that we can come away with something.”

ANALYSIS + HIGHLIGHTS: CanMNT held scoreless in frustrating loss to Australia

Former CF Montréaler Nathan Saliba echoed his coach’s sentiments.

“It’s unfortunate because we created a lot of dangerous opportunities from start to finish. It’s a bit disappointing but there’s a lot of positives to take from this,” he told OneSoccer’s Kristian Jack.

Although it’s true that Canada’s performance held promise, dominating possession (60 per cent) while having some dangerous looks across their 17 shots, it also highlighted their need to adapt even more. They are no longer the 120th-ranked side worldwide that last played in Montréal in 2017; Marsch’s Canada will doubtless come across countries who sit low in a 5-4-1 like Australia and invite pressure, such is the reality of the program’s growing reputation.

On Friday night, especially in the middle of the second half, Canada looked like a side that had run out of ideas. And despite driving play, they only managed to generate two big chances. But there are positives moving forward as the squad prepares to face off versus Colombia on Tuesday.

Koné and Saliba looked strong together in midfield, Marsch once again giving the pairing an audition as he decides what duo he prefers with the World Cup creeping closer. Some of Canada’s brightest sequences, be it a scooped ball or a slipped pass, came from Koné, who looks refreshed following a promising start in Serie A. 

However, despite a good first half, Canada fell flat in the second stanza with Australia taking advantage of some sloppy play. Niko Sigur, again playing as a right-back, made a costly mistake in the 71st minute which Australia converted for the contest’s lone goal.

But the loss doesn’t solely belong at Sigur’s boots: a lack of patience, and clinical finishing near goal, caused Canada to get frustrated. It’s part of the territory as the program transitions from being a country largely viewed as an underdog to one that’s rightly respected. That respect, of course, comes with expectations, like Marsch’s pre-match words about playing for two victories this international window.

Like their failed Gold Cup hopes, Canada’s scoreless defeat on Friday comes with some easy takeaways. They need to show the same patience in possession as their opponents show in clogging up the pitch. They need to take their chances, be it from their starters early or from their players coming off the bench like Shaffelburg. But mostly, they need to show a tactical fluidity which reflects the place in which they occupy on the world stage.

Marsch, for the most part, showed a willingness to change by going to his bench early when his players looked frustrated. He also showed an openness to choosing hot hands, leaving long-time leader Stephen Eustáquio out of his starting XI.

Yet it remains to be seen if Canada will be able to implement some of the harsh lessons learned in 2025. Given their real test is less than 10 months away, the time is now for them to figure out their challenges. The good news is there’s lots to build on.

“We ran the game, we controlled the game the way we wanted to,” said Saliba. “It’s very positive, very positive.”