TORONTO – Seven months out from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Canadian men’s national team know they can fight.
On Thursday, Canada played to a 0-0 draw against No. 23-ranked Ecuador at Toronto FC’s BMO Field. Despite a sixth-minute red card to Ali Ahmed, Canada's stingy defense earned them a fourth clean sheet in the last five matches.
“This might be our most important game that we’ve played. I think we developed more confidence in the maturity of who we are,” head coach Jesse Marsch said post-match.
“There was a savviness and understanding we showed of how to handle a good opponent, and how to stay concentrated in the match, being a man down.”
Adaptation time
After a 0-0 draw against Colombia to close October, Thursday marked another resolute effort against an elite South American opponent. Canada kept that form with a rotated backline featuring a center-back pairing of Kamal Miller (Portland Timbers) and Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire FC).
“It’s a huge step in the right direction,” Marsch said. “I know that we have character in this team, but when you add maturity and intelligence and savviness, then you can really assess what the character is.”
As for the seven straight goalless halves, there’s little worry as well. Marsch sees opportunities to improve how his team creates more opportunities, but knows the red card forced him to abandon pre-planned approaches.
“Teams are going to have strategies against us, but I think we're getting better at solving all these issues,” Marsch said. “Can we continue to find ways to unbalance teams with how we possess the ball, and then convert more of our pressing into attacking transitions? We need to continue to do that. I think we're on track.”
Laryea rises
It will be a World Cup year when Canada play on home soil again. And as time ticks down to June 12’s opening match at BMO Field, Toronto FC defender Richie Laryea continues to make a case as a locked-in starter.
Against Ecuador, Laryea won 11 duels and drew six fouls, leading his side’s emotional heartbeat. For a player who has never earned a red card, the ability to both push an opponent and complain to the official in a single motion is admirable, as he did in the first half.
“You can just see his soul. He’s probably the most important player for us in terms of the emotion in the way that he plays the game,” said midfielder and captain Stephen Eustáquio, with a large smirk.
“There's never a day off for Richie. Sometimes, players can switch off, but to see Richie compete at the level he does, he leads by example. I’m very proud and I'm very happy that Richie is leading the team.”
Goalkeeper battle
Minnesota United FC’s Dayne St. Clair, who was named 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, also continued to shine as the battle with Maxime Crépeau for Canada’s starting role remains hot.
He was key in distribution as Canada continued to build out of the back despite playing shorthanded. While Marsch tipped his hand towards Crépeau for the next match, the battle is far from decided.
“Whenever you go down a man, you look for the guy next to you, know that you're gonna have to do it together,” St. Clair said. “We have that real character and that brotherhood and family feeling where you know that the guy beside you is gonna go to war with you.”
Finishing 2025
Canada’s 2025 home schedule came to a close against Ecuador, but they will play their final match of the year at Inter Miami CF’s Chase Stadium on Tuesday against Venezuela.
While Crépeau will start, there is also hope that dual-national center back Alfie Jones could be involved. The 28-year-old Middlesbrough defender anticipated his debut on Thursday but was unable to take his oath of citizenship, leaving him ineligible to play. However, he could take his oath on Friday.
Yet, as other storylines percolate, the World Cup vision remains clear, especially as they step away from the stadium that will host their World Cup opener for the last time this year.
“June 12 is not that far away, and we're gonna be in this [BMO Field] locker room, and we're gonna come out on this field,” said St. Clair.
“We don't know who our opponent is, but we're going to go and put on a show for our fans and go and get results in terms of the World Cup.”
