Under head coach Jesse Marsch, Canada have faced some of the world's best teams and reached the FIFA World Cup Round of 16. Yet Friday's opening 45 minutes of the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals may have been among their most complete, before a disheartening second half saw a 3-0 lead nearly disappear.
Jonathan David brought his stellar LaLiga form to the Estadio El Trébol, posting 1g/1a and helping build up Canada’s third goal. Liam Millar, in dominant form in the EFL Championship, scored too, while former Minnesota United striker Tani Oluwaseyi netted his first for Canada in 18 appearances.
“We were very happy with that start,” assistant coach Mauro Biello told reporters, taking media duties after Marsch’s second-half red card.
“It was something that we addressed here in the build-up to be able to create more, to score more goals, and I think we're very happy with the way our forwards played. Especially in the first half, and getting goals from both strikers and Liam, who was also doing really well at his club.”
Alphonso Davies blow
It had been more than 600 days since Alphonso Davies last started for Canada, when he tore his ACL in the 2025 Nations League third-place game against the United States.
It seemed as if his return, committing to playing for Les Rouges on a November night in Guatemala amid stellar FC Bayern Munich form, was him putting the last two years of injury troubles behind him.
That hope lasted just five minutes before an awkward shot block sent him off the pitch early.
As of Friday, it was unclear if Davies would be available for the pivotal second leg in Canada or fly back to Germany to recover.
His team’s first-half response, though, spoke volumes about the development beyond the 26-year-old’s contributions.
“We were all so excited to see Phonzie back, and for him to go down that early, we were just gutted for him,” Oluwaseyi said. “We still played a really good game, and we got a win in a really tough place. I think overall, this is just the mentality of the entire team.”
Invaluable experience
Despite the lackluster second half, Canada got a largely new experience playing in Friday’s environment, marking the program’s first game in Central America since 2022, when only five of the players who saw minutes Friday were on the roster against Honduras.
For Real Salt Lake center back Luc De Fougerolles, it could prove pivotal, as he thrived in a commanding role for most of the night and showed veteran poise alongside Portland Timbers center back Joel Waterman among the starters.
And for the new era of Canadian players, who have largely played at home, in the US or against Caribbean foes, a true Concacaf away day will be invaluable as they aim for regional trophies — even after giving up two goals in the second half.
“They're playing in front of their fans, they're pushing, and we know they're the type of team they are; they're fighters, and they’re guys that are going to push till the end,” Biello said. “We have to learn from that when we play these types of games.”
Leg 2 on Monday
Canada can count themselves lucky that the away goals rule is still in effect for Nations League play, giving them a slight cushion as the quarterfinal tie enters Monday’s second leg at Toronto FC’s BMO Field.
There, Canada will look for greater composure, aiming to secure a spot in the Nations League semifinals in March and the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup as they hunt a first trophy since the 2000 Gold Cup.
“We know this can be a difficult place to play, and they're a team that's been on a really good run and getting good results,” Biello said. “Now we look ahead to Monday and know we have to come out in the right way.”
