Injuries creating domino effect for lineup as Jesse Marsch to reveal Canada’s World Cup team on Friday
Chris Jones reports on Canada’s World Cup team from Charlotte, N.C.
While Canada’s men’s soccer team is taking shape — the final World Cup squad will be named Friday — there are still plenty of questions about who will play where, exactly, given the injury concerns that surround the defence.
Alphonso Davies, Canada’s captain, isn’t part of the sweltering training camp in Charlotte; he’s still in Munich receiving treatment for his latest hamstring injury. Head coach Jesse Marsch has all but ruled out Davies for the critical opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto on June 12.
Normally, Richie Laryea, who’s done an incredible job at left back during Davies’s 15-month absence from the national side, would take his place again. But Laryea is recovering from his own thigh strain, and he’s seemed not quite himself at training, a little weighed down.
“I’m more focused on what I’m doing every day and how I can get back to full fitness,” he said earlier this week.
If Laryea can’t play, Marsch will have one of two options.
He could unexpectedly name Zorhan Bassong, who plays left back for Sporting Kansas City, or Ralph Priso, who’s been scrimmaging in the position, to his final 26-man roster. But he’d likely lose forward depth in exchange, and that’s probably not a trade he’s willing to make.
Canada’s World Cup buildup is heating up.
We break down the latest Alphonso Davies injury update and what his recent social media post could mean for Canada heading into a home World Cup. Plus, Thomas Müller gives major praise to Canadian midfielder Ralph Priso — but should he make the final CANMNT World Cup squad? We also catch up with Dayne St. Clair to discuss the battle for Canada’s number one goalkeeper spot, training, and his goals for the World Cup.
Or he can move one of his right backs, Alistair Johnston or Niko Sigur, across the field. Both are more comfortable on the right but have experience on the left, and both, through their skill and service, have earned starting spots. Johnston is the more likely shift, but Sigur plays defence and midfield for Hajduk Split, his club side, and takes pride in his adaptability.
“I’m comfortable on the left for sure,” Sigur said.
According to Tajon Buchanan, who normally commands the right wing for Canada, switching sides is not a huge consideration for most players. They might have preferences, but toggling between club and country means that most players occupy different roles at different times.
“We have so many guys who can play so many different positions,” Buchanan said. “Everyone on the left can play on the right, and everyone on the right can play on the left.”
North Carolina heat putting players to the test
Marsch has held his camp in Charlotte to stress test his players, a holdover desire from their blistering Copa America in 2024. On Tuesday, the weather didn’t cooperate. Lightning forced training to be interrupted, and then abbreviated.
That wasn’t the case on Wednesday, when some players clearly struggled with the combination of intense physical demands and brutal conditions. Nathan Saliba was escorted off the pitch with a mild case of heat stroke. Liam Millar, red-faced, sat hunched, a trainer rubbing the back of his neck with ice.
Saliba was back training on Thursday, which was sunny and hot. Millar’s training status was “monitored,” meaning he had a lighter day than most. He played with Hull in last weekend’s Championship playoff, and his reduced status was less about the aftereffects from Wednesday’s session than load management.
“I think we know the benefit that it’s going to give us,” Derek Cornelius said before Thursday’s sweat-soaked interval training. “Obviously, right now it’s tough.”
de Fougerolles ‘feeling good’ after concussion
Luc de Fougerolles cleared his final concussion protocols and resumed full training Thursday. The 20-year-old suffered a head injury with Dender, his Belgian club side, 10 days ago and has been carefully handled by Canada since.
“I’m ready to go again, feeling good,” de Fougerolles said.
The trans-Atlantic flight to camp took something out of him, and he had some dizzy spells over his first few days in Charlotte. But after logging some light training sessions and 10-hour sleeps, he’s now feeling more like himself.
He was asked whether he felt ready to head the ball in practice, perhaps the ultimate test.
“I think we’ll see if it comes up,” he said with a laugh. “But if it’s there, I’m sure I’ll go for it.”
‘Maritime Messi’ on the bubble
Marsch must make six cuts before Friday’s roster reveal. It’s not a certainty, but forward Jacen Russell-Rowe, midfielders Jayden Nelson and Jacob Shaffelburg, and defenders Bassong, Priso, and Jamie Knight-Lebel seem the most in danger of disappointment.
Shaffelburg, Canada’s “Maritime Messi,” would be the biggest name among them. The 26-year-old was a near-lock to make the squad in the recent past, but he suffered a muscle injury with LAFC this month and hasn’t participated in training in Charlotte. He was visibly uncomfortable exiting the team bus on Thursday.
Later, he worked out alone on an otherwise empty field while his more fortunate teammates ran on another. Shaffelburg had plenty of space; he just appears to have run out of time.
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