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Toronto Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Canada shouldn't be favourites heading into Gold Cup: captain Jonathan David
VANCOUVER - One of Canada's brightest soccer stars doesn't believe the country should be favourites heading into the Gold Cup. Yes, Canada is a solid squad, striker Jonathan David said, but it has only won the tournament once before — and that was 25 years ago. 'I think to be favourites in a tournament, you have to be the one that maybe has won it the most times,' David told reporters on Monday. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'Of course, I know we have a strong team and we can challenge, for sure, to win it. To be favourites isn't something I would say, personally. But I know we can achieve it.' The 30th-ranked Canadians will kick off their Gold Cup quest on Tuesday when they host No. 75 Honduras at Vancouver's B.C. Place. The two sides last met during CONCACAF Nations League play in March, where Canada recorded a 4-1 victory. That doesn't mean much, though, said Canada head coach Jesse Marsch. 'We have to make sure that in no way we take anything for granted or assume we are better than anyone. We have to fight for everything on the pitch,' Marsch said. 'That has to be the first thing in our mentality for what this is going to take. And to earn the right to play the football that we think we can play, we have to be up for the challenge, up for the fight, and make sure that we are first when it comes to duels, when it comes to foot races, when it comes to physically being in the match.' Following Tuesday's game, the Canadians will shift to Houston to face No. 90 Curaçao on June 21 before wrapping Group B play against No. 81 El Salvador on June 24. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The winner and runner-up from each of the four groups advance to the knockout stage in the 16-team tournament. Canada is coming off a trophy-winning performance at the inaugural Canadian Shield last week, and is confident heading into the Gold Cup. 'I think we're the best team in the tournament,' said veteran forward Cyle Larin. 'Each game, we have to take it step by step. You never know in football what could happen. The first game against Honduras will be a good test to go out there and win.' The Canadian Shield ended with Canada falling to Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout after neither side scored in regulation. The team can't be as passive against Honduras if they want to have 'big ambition, big goals,' David said. 'It's just not sitting back, not letting the other team set the tempo for us, that we have to be on the front foot, we have to be the aggressors,' said the striker. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Marsch has named David captain for the tournament — a move the 25-year-old didn't initially agree with. 'We got on a call and (Marsch) told me 'I'm thinking of putting you captain.' At first, it was my maybe humble answer that I think there's maybe a couple of guys ahead of me,' David explained. 'But then, we kept talking a little bit more and I was like, 'OK.' This is also a challenge for me to also put myself a little bit more out there and help the team in different ways. So I see it as a challenge. And I'm ready for it.' For David, part of that challenge is finding his voice. 'I'm often more a chill, laid back guy that loves to play, loves to work hard on the pitch so I think people can feed off that,' he said. 'So the challenge for me is to be more vocal about saying more to the team and not be shy to speak my mind, even if it's wrong. And also to be open to have those conversations with teammates and not to be afraid.' This year's Gold Cup is taking place at several of the venues that will host the 2026 World Cup games — including B.C. Place. While the tournament is an opportunity to work toward next summer's ambitions, the Canadians are keeping their focus locked on what's directly ahead. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW That focus is what has helped the team achieve success in the past, Marsch said. 'We can talk about grander visions, but right now, we're solely focused on this match against Honduras and making sure that we know what they're going to challenge us with and that we're up for understanding the match,' he said. Canada has faced Honduras 28 times across all competitions, and Honduras holds a 12-9-7 record in those meetings. Heading into Tuesday's game, Marsch said he's expecting to come up against an aggressive opponent who will be defensively stingy and dangerous on set pieces. 'We think that this is the most important game of the tournament,' the coach said. 'Honduras is a very good team, and we know that if we can manage the first game in the right way, that we can set ourselves up for success.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 16, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Canada shouldn't be favourites heading into Gold Cup: captain Jonathan David
VANCOUVER - One of Canada's brightest soccer stars doesn't believe the country should be favourites heading into the Gold Cup. Yes, Canada is a solid squad, striker Jonathan David said, but it has only won the tournament once before — and that was 25 years ago. 'I think to be favourites in a tournament, you have to be the one that maybe has won it the most times,' David told reporters on Monday. 'Of course, I know we have a strong team and we can challenge, for sure, to win it. To be favourites isn't something I would say, personally. But I know we can achieve it.' The 30th-ranked Canadians will kick off their Gold Cup quest on Tuesday when they host No. 75 Honduras at Vancouver's B.C. Place. The two sides last met during CONCACAF Nations League play in March, where Canada recorded a 4-1 victory. That doesn't mean much, though, said Canada head coach Jesse Marsch. 'We have to make sure that in no way we take anything for granted or assume we are better than anyone. We have to fight for everything on the pitch,' Marsch said. 'That has to be the first thing in our mentality for what this is going to take. And to earn the right to play the football that we think we can play, we have to be up for the challenge, up for the fight, and make sure that we are first when it comes to duels, when it comes to foot races, when it comes to physically being in the match.' Following Tuesday's game, the Canadians will shift to Houston to face No. 90 Curaçao on June 21 before wrapping Group B play against No. 81 El Salvador on June 24. The winner and runner-up from each of the four groups advance to the knockout stage in the 16-team tournament. Canada is coming off a trophy-winning performance at the inaugural Canadian Shield last week, and is confident heading into the Gold Cup. 'I think we're the best team in the tournament,' said veteran forward Cyle Larin. 'Each game, we have to take it step by step. You never know in football what could happen. The first game against Honduras will be a good test to go out there and win.' The Canadian Shield ended with Canada falling to Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout after neither side scored in regulation. The team can't be as passive against Honduras if they want to have 'big ambition, big goals,' David said. 'It's just not sitting back, not letting the other team set the tempo for us, that we have to be on the front foot, we have to be the aggressors,' said the striker. Marsch has named David captain for the tournament — a move the 25-year-old didn't initially agree with. 'We got on a call and (Marsch) told me 'I'm thinking of putting you captain.' At first, it was my maybe humble answer that I think there's maybe a couple of guys ahead of me,' David explained. 'But then, we kept talking a little bit more and I was like, 'OK.' This is also a challenge for me to also put myself a little bit more out there and help the team in different ways. So I see it as a challenge. And I'm ready for it.' For David, part of that challenge is finding his voice. 'I'm often more a chill, laid back guy that loves to play, loves to work hard on the pitch so I think people can feed off that,' he said. 'So the challenge for me is to be more vocal about saying more to the team and not be shy to speak my mind, even if it's wrong. And also to be open to have those conversations with teammates and not to be afraid.' This year's Gold Cup is taking place at several of the venues that will host the 2026 World Cup games — including B.C. Place. While the tournament is an opportunity to work toward next summer's ambitions, the Canadians are keeping their focus locked on what's directly ahead. That focus is what has helped the team achieve success in the past, Marsch said. 'We can talk about grander visions, but right now, we're solely focused on this match against Honduras and making sure that we know what they're going to challenge us with and that we're up for understanding the match,' he said. Canada has faced Honduras 28 times across all competitions, and Honduras holds a 12-9-7 record in those meetings. Heading into Tuesday's game, Marsch said he's expecting to come up against an aggressive opponent who will be defensively stingy and dangerous on set pieces. 'We think that this is the most important game of the tournament,' the coach said. 'Honduras is a very good team, and we know that if we can manage the first game in the right way, that we can set ourselves up for success.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 16, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada shouldn't be favourites heading into Gold Cup: captain Jonathan David
VANCOUVER – One of Canada's brightest soccer stars doesn't believe the country should be favourites heading into the Gold Cup. Yes, Canada is a solid squad, striker Jonathan David said, but it has only won the tournament once before — and that was 25 years ago. 'I think to be favourites in a tournament, you have to be the one that maybe has won it the most times,' David told reporters on Monday. 'Of course, I know we have a strong team and we can challenge, for sure, to win it. To be favourites isn't something I would say, personally. But I know we can achieve it.' The 30th-ranked Canadians will kick off their Gold Cup quest on Tuesday when they host No. 75 Honduras at Vancouver's B.C. Place. The two sides last met during CONCACAF Nations League play in March, where Canada recorded a 4-1 victory. That doesn't mean much, though, said Canada head coach Jesse Marsch. 'We have to make sure that in no way we take anything for granted or assume we are better than anyone. We have to fight for everything on the pitch,' Marsch said. 'That has to be the first thing in our mentality for what this is going to take. And to earn the right to play the football that we think we can play, we have to be up for the challenge, up for the fight, and make sure that we are first when it comes to duels, when it comes to foot races, when it comes to physically being in the match.' Following Tuesday's game, the Canadians will shift to Houston to face No. 90 Curaçao on June 21 before wrapping Group B play against No. 81 El Salvador on June 24. The winner and runner-up from each of the four groups advance to the knockout stage in the 16-team tournament. Canada is coming off a trophy-winning performance at the inaugural Canadian Shield last week, and is confident heading into the Gold Cup. 'I think we're the best team in the tournament,' said veteran forward Cyle Larin. 'Each game, we have to take it step by step. You never know in football what could happen. The first game against Honduras will be a good test to go out there and win.' The Canadian Shield ended with Canada falling to Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout after neither side scored in regulation. The team can't be as passive against Honduras if they want to have 'big ambition, big goals,' David said. 'It's just not sitting back, not letting the other team set the tempo for us, that we have to be on the front foot, we have to be the aggressors,' said the striker. Marsch has named David captain for the tournament — a move the 25-year-old didn't initially agree with. 'We got on a call and (Marsch) told me 'I'm thinking of putting you captain.' At first, it was my maybe humble answer that I think there's maybe a couple of guys ahead of me,' David explained. 'But then, we kept talking a little bit more and I was like, 'OK.' This is also a challenge for me to also put myself a little bit more out there and help the team in different ways. So I see it as a challenge. And I'm ready for it.' For David, part of that challenge is finding his voice. 'I'm often more a chill, laid back guy that loves to play, loves to work hard on the pitch so I think people can feed off that,' he said. 'So the challenge for me is to be more vocal about saying more to the team and not be shy to speak my mind, even if it's wrong. And also to be open to have those conversations with teammates and not to be afraid.' This year's Gold Cup is taking place at several of the venues that will host the 2026 World Cup games — including B.C. Place. While the tournament is an opportunity to work toward next summer's ambitions, the Canadians are keeping their focus locked on what's directly ahead. That focus is what has helped the team achieve success in the past, Marsch said. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'We can talk about grander visions, but right now, we're solely focused on this match against Honduras and making sure that we know what they're going to challenge us with and that we're up for understanding the match,' he said. Canada has faced Honduras 28 times across all competitions, and Honduras holds a 12-9-7 record in those meetings. Heading into Tuesday's game, Marsch said he's expecting to come up against an aggressive opponent who will be defensively stingy and dangerous on set pieces. 'We think that this is the most important game of the tournament,' the coach said. 'Honduras is a very good team, and we know that if we can manage the first game in the right way, that we can set ourselves up for success.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 16, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada the team to beat at Gold Cup
Opinion Get out your calendar, flip to July and circle Sunday the 6th. Early that evening, barring an upset, the Canadian men's soccer team will play its first Gold Cup Final since 2000, the last time they won the biennial competition. In the quarter century since, Mexico and the United States have dominated the Gold Cup, emblematic of soccer supremacy in North and Central America and the Caribbean. They've lifted the trophy six times each and gone head-to-head in five Finals. But their duopoly seems to be over, or at least on pause for the foreseeable future. That's a good thing, generally speaking. For a tournament already held too often, its predictability has generated mostly performative enthusiasm. Chris Young / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Canada's Jonathan David (right) plays a ball through to Tajon Buchanan (left) during the team's match against Ukraine at the inaugural Canadian Shield. The tournament gave Canada head coach Jesse Marsch ample opportunity to explore his squad depth before the Gold Cup. Thankfully, that's no longer the case. The complete collapse of the United States has left Mexico, the reigning Gold Cup and Nations League champions, as the region's sole superpower. The space once occupied by the Americans is now a vacuum, and the Canadian men are the contenders most likely to fill it. Group stage No one knows that better than manager Jesse Marsch, who told TSN last week that anything less than winning the 2025 Gold Cup would be a disappointment. Still, his team will have to navigate the group stage to get to that July 6 Final. Canada's campaign will begin Tuesday in Vancouver, where they'll host Honduras (9:30 p.m., all matches on TSN and OneSoccer). Given midfielder Stephen Eustáquio's participation in the Club World Cup with Porto, Marsch will have to draw on the squad depth that was showcased in recent friendlies against Ukraine and Ivory Coast. Nathan Saliba is an option to play from the start, as are Ismaël Koné and Mathieu Choinière. The schedule will then see Canada face Curaçao (June 21, 6:00 p.m.) and El Salvador (June 24, 9:00 p.m.) in Houston. Always an interesting proposition, Curaçao are managed by former Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven and Netherlands boss Dick Advocaat and include Juventus prospect Livano Comenencia, ex-Aston Villa right-back Leandro Bacuna and Cercle Brugge goalkeeper Eloy Room. They could well finish second in Group B. Canada should top the standings comfortably, and there will be ample opportunity for strikers Jonathan David and Promise David (no relation) to fill the nets, while recovered winger Tajon Buchanan can use the three games to round into shape ahead of the knockouts. In contention First place in Group B would send the Canadian men to Minneapolis (something that may interest Winnipeggers) for a quarterfinal against the runners-up from Group C, most likely Panama or Jamaica. Panama beat the United States in their Nations League semifinal back in March and are also challenging to replace the Americans in the region's traditional pecking order. The more probable scenario has Canada facing Jamaica. The Reggae Boyz are unbeaten this calendar year, although they were humbled in a 1-1 draw with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines earlier this spring. Pass that test and it's on to Santa Clara, where Canada could take on any of Costa Rica, the United States and Saudi Arabia. Quite ridiculously, the Saudis were invited to the Gold Cup by CONCACAF, presumably in return for new sponsorship deals with the kingdom's national oil company, airline and Public Investment Fund (PIF). The nonsense of their inclusion is only exacerbated by the fact that a good part of the Saudi squad has had to withdraw — the consequence of Al-Hilal's participation in the Club World Cup. In other words, it could well be Canada v. Costa Rica at Levi's Stadium. Which brings us to Sunday, July 6, in Houston and a prospective Gold Cup Final against Mexico. Canada last faced El Tri at the semifinal stage of the Nations League, losing 2-0 despite outplaying their opponents for large stretches of the game. The three-man Mexican defensce of Edson Álvarez, Israel Reyes and Johan Vásquez stifled the Canadian attack, and the in-form Raúl Jiménez toyed with a back-line that at times looked naive. Marsch's players will need to have learned from that loss, although a fit and flying Buchanan will add an element they haven't had in nearly a year. Who to watch Former Real Madrid, Lyon and Sevilla forward Mariano Díaz will lead the line for Dominican Republic. Los Quisqueyanos aren't expected to rip up trees at the Gold Cup, but a few goals from the 31-year-old could tilt the goal-difference tie-breaker in Group A. Late-blooming forward Patrick Agyemang scored the lone goal for the United States in the Nations League third-place game against Canada. He's scored six goals for Charlotte FC of MLS this season and could well lead the line for the Americans at the Gold Cup. Jiménez, Álvarez and AC Milan's Santi Gimenez might be Mexico's best-known Europe-based players, but creative winger Alexis Vega was integral to Liga MX club Toluca's title-winning season and provides El Tri with a weapon their opponents might not be expecting. Panama are very good at wearing teams down, and key to that approach is Adalberto Carrasquilla. The Pumas midfielder can break up attacks, create them and do almost everything else. He was named Best Player at the last Gold Cup. Talking points Winnipeg Jets Game Days 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. — Could the United States be back on the managerial market next month? Current boss Mauricio Pochettino has overseen four successive defeats — most recently Tuesday's 4-0 drubbing by Switzerland — and failure to emerge from Group D would pile on the pressure ahead of a World Cup the U.S. will largely host. — Mexico and Dominican Republic will open the 2025 Gold Cup at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles County (Saturday, 9:15 p.m.). Given that the city proper has become ground zero in the United States' experiment with fascism, this Latin America-Caribbean contest suddenly has big political overtones. Could ICE even make a pre-match swoop? — Credit where it's due. Canada Soccer gets a lot of criticism — 99 per cent of it self-inflicted — but ahead of the Gold Cup they organized the Canadian Shield friendly tournament involving Ukraine, Ivory Coast and New Zealand. It was a superb use of the international break and gave Marsch ample opportunity to explore his squad depth. If Canada do, in fact, progress to the July 6 Final, well-structured preparation will have a lot to do with it. jerradpeters@ @
Toronto Star
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Star
FIFA World Cup one year out: Canada's challenge, global hot spots and the Trump factor
As Cyle Larin and Steph Eustáquio met at the halfway line of BMO Field Tuesday night, they stood between teammates in front of a hoarding spelling out CHAMPIONS in block capitals. It was after 11:15 p.m. on a school night and many fans had made for the exits, so they didn't get to see the duo raise the inaugural Canadian Shield aloft. They had the consolation of not missing the fireworks because the pyrotechnics behind the players failed to fire, Eustáquio turning with bemusement at the flat backdrop.
