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![\"ASHLEY](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4365920_web1_CP176572016.jpg\")
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ASHLEY LANDIS \/ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS<\/p>\n
Two very different clubs will hit the pitch Saturday since the last time the two sides met at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Jonathan Osorio is one of the players for the Canadian side who started the match three-and-a-half years ago.<\/p>\n
Goalkeeper Milan Borjan has since retired from the national team, and defender Steven Vit\u00f3ria is assistant manager of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Left-back Sam Adekugbe has been out long-term through injury; defender Kamal Miller has been dropped; midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye and forward Junior Hoilett are no longer in the picture; and both Jonathan Osorio and Alphonso Davies will begin today\u2019s contest as substitutes.<\/p>\n
Davies, remember, played as a right-winger in the 2022 match \u2014 a bizarre decision by then-head coach John Herdman, who made a number of them.<\/p>\n
In other words, Morocco will not be at all familiar with the Canadian men, despite having faced them relatively recently.<\/p>\n
Besides, Canada was glad to simply be involved in the last World Cup. That, too, has changed, and in a big, big way.<\/p>\n
Jesse Marsch, who replaced Herdman in 2024, has spent more than two years preparing his players for this moment. His arrival brought with it an immediate jolt to the training regimen, and a quick trip to the semifinals of the Copa America introduced the up-tempo, high-pressing team that\u2019s about to feature in the Round of 16.<\/p>\n
In his post-match remarks after Sunday\u2019s dramatic win over South Africa, Marsch told TSN his group deserved a chance \u201cto go after a giant.\u201d It\u2019s about to get that chance. And today it will get a giant that, itself, is quite different from the 2022 version.<\/p>\n
Back then, there was little indication that Morocco would shortly become the powerhouse that would go more than two years without a loss at senior level. An early elimination at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations was humbling, and between March of that year and the spring of 2024 it won just seven of 14 internationals.<\/p>\n
It hasn\u2019t lost since, the only trip-up being January\u2019s Cup of Nations defeat to Senegal on penalties \u2014 a result that was controversially overturned. It\u2019s actually better than its world ranking of seventh and is among the favourites to lift the trophy later this month.<\/p>\n
Like Canada, it has also turned over much of its squad and is better for it.<\/p>\n
For today\u2019s encounter, manager Mohamed Ouahbi will deploy just four players who lined up opposite the Canadians in Qatar. Among the new faces are key midfielder Neil El Aynaoui, Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz and free-scoring striker Ismael Saibari.<\/p>\n
This team is loaded with talent, likes to possess the ball and \u2014 at the flick of a switch \u2014 can turn that control into overwhelming intensity.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s an intimidating proposition, but Canada might be uniquely suited to give Morocco a game.<\/p>\n
For one thing, Marsch\u2019s men love a fast-paced contest. They\u2019re also more than happy to get a bit chippy and unsettle their opponents physically. And if there\u2019s a side that can match Morocco\u2019s intensity, it might be Canada\u2019s.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t ASHLEY LANDIS \/ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS<\/p>\n Canada\u2019s manager Jesse Marsch has moulded his side into a much different team than the 2022 World Cup squad who had former head coach John Herdman at the helm.<\/p>\n Marsch can also learn from successes \u2014 and the mistakes \u2014 of the 2022 clash.<\/p>\n Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi was then, as he is now, among the world\u2019s best right-backs. Nevertheless, Canada\u2019s most useful attacking patterns came down his flank in Qatar. Tajon Buchanan, on his opposite side, caused Hakimi fits back then. Perhaps he plays a similar role this time around.<\/p>\n Canada was also vulnerable to long, arcing passes over the defence at the last World Cup.<\/p>\n In scoring the winning goal, Youssef En-Nesyri got on the end of an overhead ball before drilling it under Borjan\u2019s left arm. Canada plays an even higher line now, and Morocco will look to exploit it. Marsch is loath to use a low block, but a little pragmatism would serve him well in Houston.<\/p>\n To that end, it could well be time to spring a little surprise.<\/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
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