Marsch’s makeshift Canadian squad comes together in win over Guatemala

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”  

Coach Jesse Marsch firmly embraced this famous proverb in Saturday’s international friendly that saw the Canadian men’s team earn a hard-fought 1-0 win over Guatemala in Los Angeles.  

After failing to break through for 66 minutes, Canada ended the deadlock when Jacen Russell-Rowe’s header from close range off a fabulous feed from Malik Henry sailed past goalkeeper Kénderson Navarro and settled inside the far post, silencing the predominantly pro-Guatemalan crowd inside BMO Stadium.  

“What I wanted was a performance that looked like our team, that looked like our identity, and that was the challenge I put forward for the players. And I think that all of them delivered in a really good way,” Marsch told reporters after the win.  

“I think that the discipline and concentration to play the kind of football that we wanted to be aggressive, to understand roles, to make sure that we were up for the challenge, in terms of Guatemala’s combativeness, that looked like the Canadian national team, regardless of who was on the pitch.”  

Who was on the pitch for Canada and how Marsch’s side managed to scratch out a win with a makeshift lineup was the story of this game.  

The match didn’t occur during a FIFA international window, which meant Canada’s squad largely consisted of young North American-based players who are out of season with their pro clubs. Many of Canada’s projected World Cup starters who are tied to European teams, including Jonathan David and captain Alphonso Davies, were not with the Canadian team in Los Angeles.    

The only virtual locks to make this summer’s World Cup roster who were in Marsch’s starting 11 were Toronto FC’s Richie Laryea and Jonathan Osorio and LAFC’s Mathieu Choinière.   

This was classified as an “International B” match, which meant players were not credited for earning a cap and the final result didn’t count towards the FIFA rankings. Both teams were also allowed to make as many 10 substitutions, and Marsch made the most of it.  

No fewer than four debuting players — goalkeeper James Pantemis, defender Ralph Priso, midfielder Shola Jimoh and forward Rayan Elloumi — were in the starting 11, while another eight players came off the bench in the second half to get their first taste of national-team action.  

The best of the bunch was Henry, who was only named to this Canadian roster at the last minute due to an injury to Jacob Shaffelburg, considered another lock for the World Cup squad. But Henry made the most of the opportunity as he looked dangerous every time he was on the ball and displayed absolute fearlessness when taking on defenders.  

Just moments after entering the game, Henry, a 23-year-old winger with Toronto FC, broke free of his defensive marker and went on a darting run down the right side before delivering an inch-perfect cross into the penalty area for Russell-Rowe to nod home.  

Priso, another 23-year-old, was outstanding in helping to marshal a Canadian defence that gave away next to nothing in a clean-sheet performance. The youngster, who was converted into a centre back only last season by the Vancouver Whitecaps, was aggressive on both sides of the ball — he effectively stepped up on forwards to snuff out danger before it developed and displayed plenty of composure when playing through Guatemala’s defensive press.

Marsch was impressed with how the newcomers embraced the challenge.  

“I could go down the list, but I will just say this: the best part was the new players knew their roles. They knew how we play. They committed to what we wanted. We were able to get another clean sheet. We didn’t give away, really, any chances. We were aggressive. We were playing in their end. We were creating set pieces. We were creating chances, and we won the game, and I think in a deserved manner,” Marsch said.  

Other youngsters with previous national-team experience also distinguished themselves on this night.

Russell-Rowe, a 23-year-old with seven caps to his credit, put in a man-of-the-match display by expertly spearheading the attack with his excellent move both on and off the ball, highlighted by his excellent timing to get on the end of Henry’s cross into the box and his clinical finish.  

“What I talked to Jacen about beforehand is that he could play a role a little bit like what Johnny David does for us, in terms of being in good positions (in the) build up, but then being dangerous in the box and finding ways to join in late in the box and still be goal a goal threat. And he did exactly that. I thought Jacen was very good on the day,” Marsch offered.  

Midfielder Jayden Nelson, also 23 with 12 caps, is thought to be just on the cusp of making Marsch’s World Cup roster this summer. He enhanced his chances with this showing — he was a livewire during his 81 minutes on the pitch, recording one shot and creating three scoring chances. His aggressive attacking play was at times undermined by some poor decision making, but overall, the youngster routinely unbalanced Guatemala’s defenders with his probing play.  

“We’ve been pushing (Nelson) to be more dynamic in moments where he can get balls in behind. And I thought he was good there. He was aggressive when he went in 1 v. 1 situations. He was also clever and dynamic in some little combination moments,” Marsch said.  

Marsch now looks ahead to international windows in March and June when his team will play four high-profile friendlies in preparation for the World Cup. 

The overwhelming majority of players who featured against Guatemala won’t be part of Marsch’s World Cup squad. But many of them made Marsch stand up and take notice of them, and they will likely be in his long-term plans after the World Cup. 

“I thought it was amazing that we have this group that’s literally never been together, we had (so many) new guys that have never been in with the national team, and yet we still managed to look exactly like we wanted to look like — that made me proud as their coach,” Marsch said.