Canada vs. Suriname
Concacaf Nations League A – Quarter-Final (Leg 2)
Nov. 19, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT
BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario
Watch Live: OneSoccer.ca & TELUS Ch. 980 // Tickets available here
The Canadian men’s national team find themselves in an incredibly similar situation to a year ago in the Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals — leading by one goal on aggregate as they return home to BMO Field on Tuesday. Last year, they failed to get the job done. A heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Jamaica eliminated Canada from the competition on away goals and at the time put their Copa América qualification in jeopardy. After a 1-0 win over Suriname on Friday, they again get an opportunity to close out a quarter-final tie on Canadian soil. That is, of course, the overriding primary goal for Canada. A win or a draw on Tuesday and they are off to the Nations League final four in March, and have earned a spot in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup. But after a year in which they have risen to new heights on the pitch, and in front of their home fans for one final time in 2024, it would be a big boost to see this Canadian team do so with an exclamation point. Canada have had some truly impressive, even historic, victories this year, but not really a statement scoreline. In 12 games under Marsch, Canada have scored just nine times, and never more than twice in a match. All of their five victories under the new manager have come by a single goal, or on penalties. There has been a clear thread in those goals, Jonathan David. Canada’s joint all-time leading goalscorer has scored or assisted on seven of those nine goals. David was once again the offensive catalyst on Friday, assisting on Hoilett’s winner on one of four chances he created, while coming close on a few occasions himself. [Empty Body] Obviously, Jonathan David’s role in Marsch’s team is working. There is no need to apologize for having an elite attacking talent in your team, nor any reason to not continue to make him the focal point of whatever the group is doing offensively. Where David is concerned, change nothing. But around him, it would certainly be nice for Canada to show a bit more depth of attack. Cyle Larin, who did not start on Friday due to a slight injury picked up in training, has scored just once in 12 matches under Marsch. Tani Oluwaseyi, who started in his place on Friday, has been just as consistent at getting himself into good positions for chances as he has had incredible misfortune in front of goal — including hitting a ball off both posts in the first half against Suriname on Friday. Opportunities for other options up top have been few and far between. Canada did recently get Junior Hoilett and Tajon Buchanan back after both missed most of, if not all, of the Copa América this summer due to injury. The former made no mistake in his return, and at 34 could still have an important role to play in this Canadian attack. Buchanan, when healthy and confident, is one of the biggest game-breakers on this Canadian team, but in his first minutes since breaking his leg this summer is just working his way back to that level. Another clear area of improvement for Canada’s attack is set-pieces. Canada had seven corner kicks against Suriname, and several free kicks in dangerous attacking positions, and did painfully little from those opportunities. This has been an issue for a while now, and a lot of blame has been placed on the deliveries from captain Alphonso Davies. But with him missing this camp, the results haven’t exactly improved. It is understandable that set-pieces haven’t been a priority for Canada to this point. Under Marsch, they have been working on an entirely new open-play system, one that is proving to be incredibly effective in getting big results. Most of training in the incredibly short period with which national team managers have their players is likely devoted to that. Against opposition like Suriname, who were only too happy to bypass the press and play long balls which forced Canada to break down a more set defensive structure, making set pieces count is critical. Doing a better job with, and showing more variance in their approach, to set-pieces will be a big factor to watch on Tuesday. Playing in Canada’s attacking favour is the fact that Suriname will have to score at least once to advance, so should theoretically be a little bit more open and allow Canada a few more chances in transition — where their attack is at its most lethal. But with a backline and goalkeeper who all play at very solid levels in Europe, nothing will come easy. It is up to this Canadian team to break them down on Tuesday, and once again earn their place with the region’s elite. A win has the potential to push Canada into the low thirties in the FIFA Rankings, perhaps surpassing their all-time best of 33rd. To do so in an emphatic fashion would be a big boost for this group looking to make more history in 2025.
PROJECTED LINEUPS
Canada: St. Clair; Johnston, Bombito, Waterman, Laryea; Hoilett, Koné, Eustáquio, Shaffelburg; Larin, David
Suriname: Vaessan; van Gelderen, Abena, Pinas, Denswil, Haps; Malone, Paal, Van der Kust; Becker, Vlijter
ALL-TIME SERIES
Suriname wins: 0 || Canada wins: 3 || Draws: 0
Last meeting:
Nov. 15, 2024 – Suriname 0-1 Canada