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![\"Jesse](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/6a246f58ac894cc615fd765fjpeg.jpg\")
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJesse Marsch, Canada’s national men’s soccer head coach speaks to the media ahead of the World Cup roster selection camp in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, May 25, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Nathan Denette<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to be positive, guys. I\u2019m not here to take a bunch of negative questions,\u201d Canada\u2019s coach said post-match. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to score some goals, but we will.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have firepower. I know that,\u201d he added. \u201cAnd I know the goals haven\u2019t been coming and I\u2019ve been saying they\u2019re coming, and I\u2019m gonna say it again \u2014 they\u2019re coming.\u201d<\/p>\n
Canada generated 20 shot attempts, but just two on target as Marsch\u2019s men couldn\u2019t put the finishing touches on promising buildups.<\/p>\n
The World Cup co-hosts have scored 11 goals in their last 10 matches dating back to September, with limited production from open play.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a problem Marsch knows Canada needs to solve in time for Friday\u2019s opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto.<\/p>\n
Unlocking Jonathan David and Cyle Larin would certainly help. The team\u2019s most prolific scorers are stuck in a dry spell for Canada.<\/p>\n
Besides a pair of penalty-kick goals against Iceland in March, David \u2014 a star forward coming off a difficult first season with Italian giants Juventus \u2014 has otherwise scored once in 10 international appearances.<\/p>\n
Larin, meanwhile, found strong form at Southampton this season, but is goalless in 14 games for Canada. The 31-year-old from Brampton, Ont., had one solid scoring chance against Ireland, but also conceded a penalty with a reckless foul.<\/p>\n
Marsch appears committed to pairing David and Larin up top, but has options off the bench in Tani Oluwaseyi and Promise David.<\/p>\n
\u201cCyle did a lot of things right and he was in a lot of positions to score a goal, but he makes the foul for the penalty and then doesn\u2019t quite get the goal on the day. So this is the way it\u2019s been a little bit for Cyle,\u201d Marsch said. \u201cThat\u2019s why it was so great to see him doing so well at Southampton, right?<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I also think Tani\u2019s been really good in the last two games and we know that Promise is capable of pulling out wonders \u2026 It\u2019s going to be my job to figure out for each match, what do we need from the start, and then how to use those weapons off the bench?\u201d<\/p>\n
READY TO START?<\/p>\n
Luc de Fougerolles filled in for standout centre back Mo\u00efse Bombito in the starting 11 on Friday. Marsch liked what he saw.<\/p>\n
\u201cLuc with the ball was outstanding and helped set up a lot of our initial movements to get us into the attack,\u201d Marsch said. \u201cHe was really good on what we call rest defence and defending some difficult moments, standing players up, not giving away fouls.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marsch has said he will be patient with Bombito and give him every chance to recover from a fractured tibia. The 26-year-old from Montreal played just 30 minutes in Monday\u2019s friendly against Uzbekistan in Edmonton and was seen icing his leg.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old De Fougerolles from London, England, represents Canada through his Montreal-born father. He appears to be a solid option next to Derek Cornelius should Bombito need more time.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got 90 minutes for the first time in a few months (Friday). It was tough but I was definitely happy to get through it,\u201d said De Fougerolles, who dealt with an ankle injury and a concussion this season. \u201cI\u2019m definitely ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
BREAKOUT POTENTIAL<\/p>\n
Isma\u00ebl Kon\u00e9 was all over the pitch against Ireland, showing why he could be one of Canada\u2019s breakout players at the World Cup.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old central midfielder tracked back to disrupt Irish counterattacks and distributed the ball effectively. He finished with a game-high 90 touches and 76 passes, along with three tackles, three shot attempts and one block.<\/p>\n
\n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\tThe Warm-Up<\/p>\n
Winnipeg Jets Game Days<\/p>\n
On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop.<\/p>\n