There was one more game before the CONCACAF Gold Cup for Canada. After a job well done against Ukraine, they faced Côte d’Ivoire at Toronto’s BMO Field.
Sure, the Canadian Shield is basically glorified friendlies, but this game did not feel friendly at all.
First half: Canada struggles
Unlike the game against Ukraine, when Canada started guns blazing, they struggled against Côte d’Ivoire. Yes, this is a rotated lineup. However, there are still good players on the squad.
For starters, Daniel Jebbison and Cyle Larin were not getting service. The final third looked poor. Ali Ahmed and Jayden Nelson were doing fine at dribbling in and around the box, but they kept losing the ball at the last moments.
There were some nervy defensive moments from Joel Waterman, Derek Cornelius, Richie Laryea and Sam Adekugbe. Nicolas Pepe and Evann Guessand looked dangerous. However, the backline did manage to make some decent blocks and recovered on the transitions just in time.
Jonathan Osorio and Ismael Kone struggled with their passes and defensive play in the midfield, as Franck Kessie and Ibrahim Sangaré outclassed them with and without the ball.
The passes were not good. It was a chippy half and Canada struggled with the build-up and transitions. The press was active but the Ivorians were trying to beat them at their own game. Overall, it was a poor half. Canada did not have a single shot on target. Oof.
Second half: A bit better but still a physical affair
This game was a physical one. The tackles were hard as rocks. Actually, it felt like a knife fight.
Canada’s build-up looked better. But, they still struggled in the final third and Côte d’Ivoire goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangaré. The backpasses were too much. It felt like you saw one every five seconds. Plus, the turnovers were still a problem.
Canada had some great reinforcements on the bench. Jonathan David, Tani Oluwaseyi, Mathieu Choiniere and Tajon Buchanan came on to try and get the crowd at BMO Field off their feet. Unfortunately, Sam Adekugbe looked to sustain another injury. He could barely put any weight on his ankle. The poor guy can’t catch a break.
Luc de Fougerolles came on for Adekugbe. The 19-year-old managed to put on a solid display as he won two tackles and made four passes into the final third. Niko Sigur also looked decent off the bench as well.
Nine yellow cards were issued in this match, though it felt like a whole lot more. Canada had five while Côte d’Ivoire had four.
“They would do well in CONCACAF,” said Stephen Eustaquio on Côte d’Ivoire’s physicality after the game per Ben Steiner of Sports Illustrated.
In the end, Canada ended up winning the inaugural Canadian Shield. A draw was enough, but they lost on penalties 4-3.
Stat of the match
Canada had zero shots on target. That is not good enough, but given the rotated side against a full-strength Côte d’Ivoire, it is not worth being overly concerned about.
Wrap-up
The one big positive from this game is that it showed Canada can handle a physical affair outside of CONCACAF. That is huge heading into the 2026 World Cup.
Up next is the start of the big games this summer. The CONCACAF Gold Cup quest begins on Tuesday for Canada as they face Honduras at BC Place in Vancouver. Kickoff for that one is at 7:30 pm Pacific. Can Jesse Marsch lead Canada to their first trophy in 25 years?
“I want to challenge that community to come out and support this team and be behind the movement in every way,” said Marsch on the upcoming Gold Cup game in Vancouver per Steiner.
