The expectations back in Canada

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Canada’s strengths are speed and vibes… if they can find them again. Part of the reason the appointment of Marsch makes some sense is how many of Canada’s core players play with pace and relentlessness moving forward. Canada ran Belgium into the ground in their 2022 World Cup opener but didn’t get the deserved result.

Davies tied for the top speed in the Bundesliga this season (36.4km/hour), Buchanan hit a top speed of just over 35km/hour at the 2022 World Cup, while Alistair Johnston, Ismael Kone and Richie Laryea all use high-end motors to attack from different areas of the pitch. They should be able to transfer those skills into Marsch’s system. With heightened tactical instruction, Canada’s speed will be pivotal to incisive counter-attacks against Argentina and Peru.

Now, it’s worth arguing that Canada already understood how to play pacy, counter-attack-driven soccer. Perhaps a manager who could have taught them to be more methodical in possession might have allowed them to become flexible against different opponents and in fairness to Marsch and Canada, they looked adaptable and organized against France in a pre-Copa friendly as opposed to the relentless style they showcased days earlier against the Netherlands.

So it’s fair to expect the Canada team that ran until their legs gave out at the World Cup to re-emerge at some point during Copa America.

And, look, it’s worth mentioning the team’s vibes because of how far those vibes drove the team ahead of the 2022 World Cup. You could have made a case that Canada was a team for neutrals to get behind. They had young, marketable stars, appeared buoyant and excited with every camp and insisted their “Brotherhood” of an ego-free team was the secret to their success. The vibes, as the kids would say, were immaculate.

Are they a more hardened outfit, after a year and a half of capitulations, losses and squabbling with Canada Soccer over a contract? You would think so. But a new coach never short on energy and another opportunity to surprise is in front of them. It’s worth wondering if this team can remember how playing free of burdens and expectations propelled them in 2021 and 2022 and put them on the map in Canadian public consciousness.

It’s simple and slightly naive, but the more fun this Canadian team has, the better their results seem to be.

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Source link : https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/peru-canada-live-updates-2024-copa-america-score-result/2QLO3mdrVbFA/nTM6JBmZgsxM/ Author : Publish date : 2024-06-25 15:15:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source .