Canada were less than three minutes away from securing a historic victory over Uruguay in the Bronze Medal Match in Copa America on Saturday, but a late Luis Suarez goal ended that dream from becoming reality.
Uruguay proved to be the side with steelier nerves as they came out triumphant, although the best team on the night overall was Canada, and for that they can hold their heads up high.
Saving The Best For Last
Head Coach Jesse Marsch had said that there would be some rotation ahead of the match on Saturday, but not many people were prepared for the wholesale changes that Marsch ended up making for the starting eleven. Aside from Moise Bombito, Alistair Johnston, Ismael Kone, Jacob Shaffelburg, and Richie Laryea, the other six players were fresh faces to the lineup. It was a very bold choice for Marsch to field such a rotated side against one of South America’s best, but it ended up turning into a masterstroke of a move.
From the first minute, Canada were the more dynamic side. The fresh legs quickly got the best of the tired Uruguay side who had essentially the same team as the one that lost against Colombia days earlier in the semi-final. Players like Mathieu Choiniere and Ali Ahmed were highlights throughout the match, as they siezed the opportunity to showcase their skills and talents on a massive stage. Les Rouges were brave, daring, fearless and determined. Even when Canada went behind, conceding off a corner in the first half, it did not feel like the end of the world. 18-year-old Luc de Fougerolles, who arguably was at fault for the goal, led the way by not letting his mistake deter him and grew more confident as the match went on.
This confidence grew like wildfire across the pitch for Canada, and they began to really dictate play. They got their deserved equalizer and should have gone into half-time with the lead if not for some disappointing missed chances towards the end of the first period. Canadian fans could not quite believe their eyes as the game wore on. Canada were not only holding their own against one of the best teams in the world, but they were essentially playing them off the park. In what was their best performance of the tournament, and perhaps in recent memory, Canada deserved all the plaudits that they were being given. It was just unfortunate that, in the end, they did not recieve the result that they deserved.
Things Jesse Marsch learned about the #CanMNT this Copa:
-They can compete, just need more experience to beat the best
-The back 4 can be built around
-🇨🇦 has depth to create XI competition
-Koné’s ceiling📈
-Crépeau🧱
-The 4-2-3-1 needs a long-term look
-David/Larin pair📉
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) July 14, 2024
Fine Lines The Difference In Attack
All tournament the attack has been struggling throughout this tournament. Star strikers Cyle Larin and Jonathan David had only one goal between them in the five matches prior to this game. It was clear that something needed to change as the pairing, despite their incredible scoring record at the international level, was not clicking in the tournament. It was then should have been no surprise that they found themselves sitting on the bench to start the match, as Marsch went instead for Tani Olawuseyi as the lone striker and Jonathan Osorio behind him as the 10.
The added body in midfield did wonders for Canada in dominating the midfield and allowed a lot more room for the attack to breathe and develop. Olawuseyi was a breath of fresh air as well, as his willingness to run in behind and stretch the game was something that Canada had been lacking so far this tournament. It also helped that Olawuseyi has been in hot goalscoring form for Minnesota United, with an incredible Goals per 90 stats of 1.02, just behind that of one Lionel Messi.
See Also: Marsch Says Canada Treated Like ‘Second Class Citizens’ At Copa America
But it seemed the strikers curse continued, as both Tani Olawuseyi and Jonathan Osorio had golden opportunities to score when the game was still tied at 1-1. Canada ended the match with seven (!!!) big chances but missed five of them. As the chances went begging, a growing dread began to spread amongst the contigency of Canadian fans. That Uruguay would come in and steal the victory against the run of play if they get the opportunity. Thankfully, David showed the form from his Lille side when he came on, and managed to give Canada the lead, following-up on a thunderous strike by Kone.
Those missed chances would still come to haunt Canada, as they switched off right at the end to allow Luis Suarez to equalize in the dying minutes of the match. It was a cruel end, but also a valuable lesson. Simply put, at the highest level, if you cannot put away your chances, someone else will do it for you. That lesson continued into the penalty shootout, when Kone and Davies fluffed their lines to give Uruguay the honor of third place, despite being second best on the night.
It is a painful lesson, but one that will do the side good ahead of a massive couple of years.
Canada loses in heartbreaking fashion.
The best 90 minutes the #CanMNT may have ever played ends without the upset and without the Copa América bronze medal.
Outstanding 90, but Luis Suarez’s late goal and PKs give Uruguay bronze.
What a performance, though. pic.twitter.com/dc1qdQCeoI
— Ben Steiner (@BenSteiner00) July 14, 2024
Momentum Is Crucial Ahead Of 2026
Despite the agonizing and bittersweet end to the tournament, Canada can be proud of their achievements. They came second in a group with Copa America royalty in Argentina, Chile, and Peru. They defeated an in-form Venezuela that had bested teams like Mexico and Ecuador on their way to the quarters. They put up a valiant fight against the reigning World and Copa American champions of Argentina across 180-odd minutes. All while going under a massive change at the helm with Jesse Marsch not even six weeks into the job.
Many players have announced themselves in this tournament. Ismael Kone already got his move to Marseille from Watford, but that did not stop him from having a couple MVP-level performances in the knockouts of this tournament. Jacob Shaffelburg surely earned himself a move from the MLS to a European team thanks to his heroics off the bench and on the pitch in this competition. The same can be said of Moise Bombito, the Colorado Rapids centre-back who formed a formidable pairing alongside Derek Cornelius, whose future might lie out of Sweden and in the Netherlands or a league of similar caliber. Maxime Crepeau was arguably the Golden Glove winner in the tournament with all the massive saves he made, cementing himself as Canada’s #1 goalkeeper and perhaps a move abroad as well.
So many more players can be named that have impressed in this tournament. The entire team reached new heights under Marsch, and they have stamped their name as a toilsome team in Concacaf. And the best part is that this is just the beginning. Canada have two years until the 2026 World Cup, and with it all the momentum they could possibly dream of. Several players will take the next step in their individual careers, and only grow to be better. Marsch will have more time to impose his philosophy into this side that have seen just a glimpse of what they can accomplish under him. What they need now is the support from the country and the federation to be able to keep this going.
They need to face top countries for them to continue to gain that experience that they’ve earned this month. The players need to become more household names. Their surnames need to be on the backs of many more jerseys, and in the conversations of many more fans. The country needs more opportunites at all levels so that the next stars can grow and develop in time for the World Cup. That means more teams in League1, CPL and beyond. More youth programs, more tournaments and more games. As a nation, Canada now needs to all push in the same direction with this team, and with soccer as a whole.
From the coasts of Nova Scotia to the beaches in British Columbia, Canada must unite so that Canada came reach the promised land of the World Cup once more, and prove that they’re not only a one-sport nation. Canada is a footballing country. Now it’s time to show that to the world.
Header Image Photo Credit: Canada National Team
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Publish date : 2024-07-14 18:25:20
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