With Copa América winding down, Jesse Marsch’s gaze shifts to the CPL and the future of the Canadian Men's National Team
Canada’s tournament magic, it seems, has run out.
Down 2-0 late, playing against Lionel Messi and a relentless Argentine side, Jesse Marsch’s players dug deep to force a few last gasp attempts to score — pushing, pushing, pushing until the bitter end on a searing New Jersey night — but ultimately fell to the reigning World Cup winners. Their tournament thus far was a victory but on Tuesday night, they felt defeat. Their chance at a Copa América final was dead.
But examining the match, arguably the highest rung the Canadian Men’s National Team had ever climbed, it was clear that Marsch’s starting players were nearing their physical limits. Players like Jonathan David, who had shone brilliantly against the best in the world, suddenly lacked poise, made runs on failing legs, fumbled touches in the opposition’s box. He was subbed off deservedly in the 65th minute. Richie Laryea was swapped for Ali Ahmed. Stephen Eustaquio, arguably the heartbeat of this Canadian team, was replaced by Mathieu Chonière. Marsch’s workhorses throughout the tournament were spent.
In a vacuum, some of Marsch’s moves would be unthinkable but after playing world class competition and training together for six weeks, the writing was on the wall for some of Canada’s most dependable players. And the path towards improving the squad’s depth so that players like David and Eustaquio aren’t ridden into the ground was also crystal clear.
“We need to develop more players that can contribute, so that we can also rotate in a tournament; because, eventually, the physicality and the fatigue can catch up with you — that was a big part of what happened today,” Marsch told reporters post-match.
The question of where to develop these future players who will be needed to propel Canada in the 2026 World Cup was answered by Eustaquio, who gave a candid interview following full-time.
“It’s very important that people back home understand it’s possible to be here more times,” he said. “We have the team for it. I just wish the CPL starts pushing more so we can grow more Canadian players that can support us going on. 2026 is just around the corner but we still need more Canadians to come around and be better. If everybody’s professional, we can have better teams in the future. That’s what I hope.”
And Marsch knows what needs to happen to develop the path from youth football to the professional ranks to the world stage where Canada has clawed its way to legitimacy. Speaking to OneSoccer, he said it starts with giving opportunities to 17, 18 and 19-years old in the CPL. And he’s going to scout the league — revealing he was planning to attend Sunday’s match between Forge and Pacific — as a way of understanding what he’d like to impart on the future of Canadian football.
“When you play Argentina, when you play France and you can see the speed, the speed of play, the power at which the best players play at, that’s where we need to go because we actually have the athletes in this country,” explained Marsch.
“We need to now develop them in a way where they understand high level football. I’m going to get a chance live to see what games look like and to see what the level is like and to see what the play style is. I’ll be able to evaluate things and then try to find ways to push expectations of what high level football are.”
Marsch’s message is making waves as CPL players across the country feel the eyes of the National Team program taking notice.
Themi Antonoglou grew up within the ranks of Toronto FC but moved to the CPL to pursue first team football. He’s adjusted well and was impressed by the quality of play in the league, as well as the tactical acumen. Hearing that Marsch and his staff are watching has only reinforced his decision as a young Canadian to sign in the league.
“Keep doing what you’re doing as a young Canadian in this league and you may have the opportunity one day to be called into a (National) Team camp. That’s exciting to hear for Canadian guys in this league,” Antonoglou said.
And there are plenty of players who have developed in the league over the last number of years. Some, like Halifax Wanderer’s centre-back Dan Nimick, have impressed from the start of their professional careers. Others, like Forge’s Kwasi Poku, have grown leaps and bounds under the tutelege of head coach Bobby Smyrniotis and is on the cusp of CPL stardrom. Former CPL graduates have also gone on to carve out careers with MLS clubs and have earned national team call ups.
There’s little doubt, with the whirlwind of Copa América winding down, that Marsch and his staff will have a moment to breathe. But more importantly, they will have time to watch and talk with those around Canada’s budding domestic league. The CPL has grown in leaps and bounds over the last six years.
But Marsch and his current national team players recognize the pyramid beneath them needs to continue to grow if they’ll have a chance at making some noise when the World Cup comes home. The CPL could be the catalyst for the depth they surely need.
Cover Photo Credit: TSN
