Page 95 - Soccer360 Issue 107

the cost of his appointment. The unusual circumstances of his appointment aside, the hire marks a shift in CSA coaching
recruitment. Where in the past, the CSA had typically hired coaches either
at the beginning or the end of their career Marsch is
coming off a run in the English Premier League
and had received offers in Europe and in MLS.
That he was also reportedly in the running for the
USMNT job before Gregg Berhalter
had been re- hired also gave
him a bit of a chip on his shoulder.
In his first two friendlies against the Netherlands
and France were mixed, with
Canada getting crushed 4-0 against the Oranje but then holding their own in a 0-0 draw with Les Bleus. The cupboard also wasn’t completely bare either with the group having just qualified for the 2022 World Cup and with Jonathan David (Lille), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), and Tajon Buchanan (Inter Milan) all playing at a high level. Nonetheless, going into a tournament like the Copa America with a new coach and new philosophy is a pretty daunting task. But they set the tone early in their first match against Argentina, holding their own while falling just 2-0. A tough 1-0 victory over Peru through a David strike gave them the three points necessary to put some distance against Chile, who they held off for a 0-0 draw.
Canada’s luck continued into the knockout round where they faced a determined Venezuelan group looking to make a name for themselves. While Canada struck first with a Jacob Shaffelburg goal in the 13th minute, Samuel Rondon got one back in
the 65th minute pushing the match into penalties. In a tight 4-3 battle Marsch’s group came out on top with Ismael Kone, who had just signed with Marseille prior to the start of the tournament, doing the honors.
While Canada’s luck may have run out against Argentina in the semifinals losing once again 2-0, they once again showed their fight battling Uruguay in the third place match. After trading goals with the three-time Copa America Champions, Canada pulled them to a 2-2 result before falling 4-3 in penalties. Kone and David once again led the charge with each supplying a goal in regulation.
Though Canada fell short of medaling at the event they proved that in a short amount
of time what they can do on the brightest stage. With Marsch’s fierce determinism mixed with their athleticism and youthful passion Canada may have found the recipe for a strong run in 2026.
COPA AMERICA 2024 REVIEW
TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT
GOALKEEPER
Emiliano Martinez
ARG
DEFENDERS
Piero Hincapié
ECU
Davinson Sánchez
COL
Cristian Romero
ARG
Alistair Johnston
CAN
MIDFIELDERS
James Rodríguez
COL
Manuel Ugarte
URU
Rodrigo De Paul
ARG
FORWARDS
Raphinha
BRA
Lautauro Martinez
ARG
Lionel Messi
ARG
“SHAFFELBURG
WASONEOF
THE MANY
THINGS THAT
WENT RIGHT
FOR CANADA
THIS SUMMER”
SOCCER360 93