Canada’s first matches since the 2026 World Cup went off without a hitch (albeit with a few bruises from the force of Chile), as Les Rouges claimed two comfortable victories over South American opponents.
Here is what we learned from the two wins.
UNDERSTUDIES CHALLENGING FOR STARTS
Embed from Getty ImagesOne of the best things about friendlies is the inherent opportunity they provide for managers to experiment. Friendlies are a great time for a manager to mixtape between testing their preferred set of players with a group of young, hungry, up-and-coming talent.
Embed from Getty ImagesJesse Marsch did a great job in giving his players opportunities to shine, particularly in his selection of rotation players across both fixtures.
In football terms, rotation players are those hovering around the edge of the starting births. They’re trusted enough to contribute regularly, but not yet established as undeniable first-choice options.
Embed from Getty ImagesFor the past few years, the likes of Luc De Fougerolles, Nathan Saliba, Liam Millar, Niko Sigur, and Jacob Shaffelburg have been those players for Canada.
After the World Cup and these two friendlies, some of those names may have just solidified themselves as starters.
LUC DE FOUGEROLLES NOW CANADA’S BEST AT THE BACK
Embed from Getty ImagesWith the injury concerns to Moïse Bombito and Derek Cornelius heading into the World Cup, 20-year-old Luc De Fougerolles emerged as Canada’s consistent choice in central defense.
De Fougerolles is a capable 1v1 battler, a smart stepper, and an intelligent passer. He’s physical, assured, and has an air about him that screams five years older.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe was our best centre-back at the World Cup, and after these two friendlies, he’s done enough to earn his place as a first-choice defender in Marsch’s plans for the upcoming months.
Jesse Marsch will feel particularly enthused by this, given that de Fougerolles is just under ten days away from his 21st birthday. This is a player that could be a major fixture of the Canadian defense for the next decade.
NATHAN SALIBA HAS LEVELLED UP
Embed from Getty ImagesSimilarly, after an autumn spent at Villarreal, Nathan Saliba looks like Canada’s best midfielder. The situation that happened with Ismaël Koné at the 2026 World Cup was awful, but it gave Saliba a chance to slot right in and look at home immediately.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn these fixtures, we saw how much Saliba has levelled up since joining Villarreal in La Liga. He was assured in possession, constantly in control, and confident in his challenges. With the ability to be both a box-to-box presence and a game-controller, it will be hard for anyone to knock him out of the side now.
Mathieu Choiniere was magnificent against Chile, dictating the tempo from deep.
Stephen Eustaquio meanwhile rarely makes mistakes and adds leadership and experience. Ismaël Koné has so much to offer on the ball with his dribbling, carrying, and physical presence. But all of them will now do well to knock the 22-year-old back to the bench.
With just how accomplished De Fougerolles and Saliba looked in these fixtures, it’s clear that Canada’s future continues to look bright.
OPTIONS ON THE WING
Embed from Getty ImagesThe other major area of promise came out wide, where Jesse Marsch continues to have rotation options in abundance.
The commentators called Jacob Shaffelburg the “Maritime Messi” one too many times against Peru, but he looked the best he’s been in a Canada red shirt.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn truth, Shaffelburg is the antithesis of Messi. He’s all about pure running power, physicality, drive, determination and getting into the box to score goals. As far as absurd comparisons go, he’s much more akin to Ronaldo than Messi.
Embed from Getty ImagesSide note: our real Canadian Messi is actually the injured Marcelo Flores, who controls the ball with supreme skill and offers Marsch a completely different kind of creative threat.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut we know Jesse Marsch loves the running power of someone like Shaffelburg. Someone who will just run and press relentlessly, and cause issues for the opposing team because of how much intensity goes into everything they do. This is a Jesse Marsch player if we’ve ever seen one in a Canada shirt, and he proved to be completely justified in picking the LAFC winger.
Embed from Getty ImagesShaffelburg did a lot of damage against both Chile and Peru. He was the main threat on the pitch in both matches, driving his team on and exuding positivity with every step. He got himself into good scoring positions on two occasions against Peru, and that’s all the Canadians needed to take the game 2-0.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut the role of Liam Millar in those efforts also can’t be understated. Millar has enjoyed a great start to life in Birmingham, with 1 goal and 3 assists in his opening 4 matches.
I’ve never seen Liam Millar have a bad game. He’s always hungry. Always positive. Always making something happen for his team.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe’s also a really clever player, capable of creating chances as much as finishing them off. His greatest weakness is that he’s often lacked that clinical edge in front of goal or in that final move.
He’ll get himself into great positions through his own work, but then struggle to put the icing on the cake to finish off the move.
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, his numbers to start the season at Birmingham are changing that narrative.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe’s been one of the Championship’s best players to start the season, right up there with the likes of Jarrod Bowen.
Against Peru, Liam Millar was responsible for the assist on both goals (even if he might not get credit for the first). It was his running power and skill that created the second goal, and his smooth cross into the box that helped his team to the first.
If Millar can continue producing at this level, he could seriously challenge Tajon Buchanan for a starting role on the right wing. At the very least, he’ll give Jesse Marsch a fantastic option to rotate in and out of the XI.
Embed from Getty ImagesOver the past decade of men’s soccer in this country, this is perhaps one of the clearest signs of progress. It’s not just our starters who are playing across Europe in high level leagues or clubs with massive fanbases. It’s now the players fighting for those starting places too.
Embed from Getty ImagesIf I were Jesse Marsch, I’d be over the moon with the performances of so many players across these two fixtures. This is a young Canadian team that will only get better over the span of the four years toward their next big tournament.
Embed from Getty ImagesWith the likes of De Fougerolles and Saliba firmly establishing themselves as starters, Jesse Marsch has so much to be positive about heading into the next few months. But first, Canada will prepare for the final match of this international break when they play their old rivals from down south, the United States. The signs from Peru and Chile clearly indicate that Canada are ready to do battle.
Thanks for reading and see you soon!
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