Canada is well placed at the top of the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers table ahead of the penultimate trio of qualifiers. Perhaps a chance to make history for the nation whose last and only FIFA World Cup appearance came in 1986.
Final stage of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers
The upcoming matches will be crucial for Canada’s WCQ campaign as they can set themselves apart as leaders and increase the gap from the chasing pack- USA, Mexico, Panama. They can also draw some satisfaction from the fact that Mexico and Panama will face each other on Feb 2, ensuring that at least one of their close rivals will drop points in this window.
Upcoming matches
The match against USA will be pivotal to where Canada finish in the final stage of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers.
However, even from the unexpected great position they find themselves in, Canada’s road to Qatar will be anything but easy. Complications have been building up and John Herdman has some challenging decisions to make, the most crucial being the squad selection, which will be announced later this week.
Canada had to cancel their Florida training camp plans because of Covid concerns, the purpose of the camp was to get players in off-season (mostly MLS players) back to match fitness. This may influence Herdman to rely more on European based players for the qualifiers window starting in just over a week.
Canada Soccer cancels January camp, training match over COVID-19 concerns. Photo by @mblinch #CanMNT https://t.co/RpAVinAzI3 pic.twitter.com/mucE67JOKR
— Neil Davidson (@NeilMDavidson) January 6, 2022
A bigger blow for Canada came in last weekend as their star and highest rated player in CONCACAF, Alphonso Davies was diagnosed with myocarditis. The Bayern Munich player will be heavily missed as he is not only the creative hub for Canada but also their emotional spark, often lighting up his team-mates and the fans. Davies is expected to be out of action for at least a few weeks and hopefully we will see him running up and down the left flank for Canada again in March.
Thanks to everyone for showing so much love and support. I can’t wait to be back on the pitch doing what I love #AD19
pic.twitter.com/nhiaYar7ki
— Alphonso Davies (@AlphonsoDavies) January 15, 2022
It will be interesting to see how Herdman will try to replace Davies. He is not afraid of switching tactics based on the players available and opposition on the day, and he has plenty of options to consider for filling the left flank hole in the squad. Based on the system he plays – Richie Lareya or Sam Adekugbe can feature as left wing backs, Tajon Buchanan or Liam Millar can play at left wing.
This is also the time for the central attacking players to take on Davies’ creative load (5 goals and 8 assists in 13 games for Canada in 2021). Johanatan David has been in red hot form for Lille this season and is currently the leading goalscorer in Ligue 1 with 12 goals in 21 games. Cyle Larin has been attracting interest from bigger European Clubs with his performances for Besiktas. Jonathan Osorio is capable of being the creative hub in Davies’s absence.
It’s not been all bad news for Canada Soccer in January. Presence of CanMNT players in Europe has seen a significant boost over the last few weeks. This would certainly have a positive impact on players’ quality and fitness.
Tajon Buchanan finally completed him move to Club Brugge from MLS and got full 90 minutes of action in his debut. His physical development in a very physical Belgian team is something to keep an eye on.
Geslaagd debuut voor de coach en Tajon zaterdag.
Herbeleef het hier!#CluStv pic.twitter.com/qYKb6YqAuT
— Club Brugge KV (@ClubBrugge) January 17, 2022
Richie Lareya, another starter for Canada also made a move to Europe. He will helping Nottingham Forest in their chase of Premier League football. He is yet to make his debut in England but Herdman would have been be very pleased to see his wing back training in January as he had been out of action since playing in the Canadian Championship for TFC on 21st Nov.
#NFFC pic.twitter.com/SruoeaJ1UU
— Nottingham Forest FC (@NFFC) January 18, 2022
Theo Corbeanu, another Davies replacement option, made a move within EFL League 1 (third tier of English football), switching from Sheffield Wednesday to MK Dons. This move is anticipated to be the one he needed as he features for MK Dons in his preferred position at right wing rather than playing as a wing back.
Left Winger, Liam Fraser is having a successful first season at FC Basel with four goals and an assist after 18 appearances in the Swiss league. Canada’s key man in midfield, Stephen Eustaquio has attracted interest from Portuguese giants, FC Porto.
Canada’s soccer is heading in the right direction and a first place finish in the CONCACAF Qualifiers would be an accomplishment that will make the whole world take notice.
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