Soccer <\/p>\n
As time ticks down to the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a>, Canada<\/a> know the importance of every moment they are together.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Days after defeating Romania 3\u20130<\/a> in Bucharest, Canada\u2019s first win over a UEFA opponent<\/a> in their home nation since 2009, Les Rouges are hoping to maintain the momentum when they face No. 31-ranked Wales at Swansea.com Stadium.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cWe are incredibly excited after a good performance against Romania to show that it wasn’t a fluke,\u201d head coach Jesse Marsch told reporters on Monday.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are a good team, we\u2019re establishing a lot of really positive things, and we are building towards a home World Cup in ways that can make us history makers. That\u2019s our goal.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Through each game, the preparation for the World Cup evolves. At one point, Marsch\u2019s team selection emphasized finding players who fit best, whereas now it focuses on performance.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are going to be leaning more toward players having to earn minutes from here on in, that it’s the national team, and that’s the way it should be,\u201d Marsch said after the win against Romania. \u201cWe’ve developed a lot of players within the system and given a lot of players experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 CANMNT (@CANMNT_Official) September 8, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n For former CF Montr\u00e9al<\/a> star Isma\u00ebl Kon\u00e9, now playing with Serie A\u2019s U.S. Sassuolo, that means getting another starting opportunity in midfield after a first-class showing \u2013 even after expressing his frustrations about being subbed off early.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything was executed to a tee. Obviously, you can progress, but the way we started [against Romania] is how we should start every game,\u201d Kon\u00e9 said Monday. \u201cWe were relentless… we’ve been challenged a lot, and I think within that, that helps us a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n While Kon\u00e9 returns to the lineup, Marsch will need to find another option in central midfield after a slight knee injury forced Stephen Eust\u00e1quio to leave the camp, potentially opening space for LAFC<\/a>\u2019s Mathieu Choini\u00e8re<\/a> or former CF Montr\u00e9al standout Nathan Saliba.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Wales head coach Craig Bellamy praised the Canadians\u2019 press before the match and called the team the \u201cperfect challenge,” yet Marsch is confident that his squad can also learn from facing a possession-heavy opponent.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a perfect challenge for us, it\u2019s almost a collision of two styles,\u201d Marsch echoed. \u201cWe know that we have developed our own style of football and our own DNA… Especially with the lead-up to the World Cup, we don’t think anything is friendly, and we are incredibly excited about the challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n With Canada hoping to keep up their press, they could reintroduce Nashville SC<\/a>‘s Jacob Shaffelburg<\/a> to the lineup after he served a one-match suspension against Romania, or potentially continue with the wing combination of Vancouver Whitecaps FC<\/a>‘s Ali Ahmed<\/a> and former New England Revolution<\/a> star Tajon Buchanan.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 CANMNT (@CANMNT_Official) September 6, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n As lineup decisions become more concrete among the 10 outfield players, the most significant questions remain in goal, where Minnesota United<\/a>\u2019s Dayne St. Clair<\/a> is set to start after Maxime Cr\u00e9peau<\/a> suffered a slight concussion in his two-save clean sheet on Friday.<\/p>\n \u201cDayne has been the best goalkeeper in MLS this entire season,\u201d Marsch said. \u201cHe was an MLS All-Star, well deserved.<\/p>\n \u201cI really like Max, and I really believe in the quality he brings and who he is as a person and the goalkeeper he is. But I feel the same about Dayne. They\u2019re different in different ways. But Dayne has been outstanding, outstanding since I\u2019ve been here as a goalkeeper for us.\u201d<\/p>\n After Tuesday, Canada will look ahead to the October window and friendlies against Australia and Colombia, two teams already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n Added Marsch: “We have to put our own pressure into our environment in every chance we have to be together and make sure that we harden ourselves to be ready for the World Cup.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nEvolving preparation<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Clashing styles<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
St. Clair to start<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n