Canada, ranked 26th, faced a tough challenge against Australia, ranked 25th, in a 1-0 loss due to Australia’s solid five-man defense. The upcoming match against Colombia, ranked 13th, presents a different test for Canada.
Colombia, with a strong lineup and having secured a World Cup spot by finishing third in CONMEBOL qualifying, displayed their quality at the Copa America last year. They recently defeated Mexico 4-0, showcasing their prowess with goals from Luis Diaz, Jhon Lucumi, Jefferson Lerma, and Johan Carbonero.
Canadian midfielder Jonathan Osorio acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by Colombia, a sentiment echoed by Canada coach Jesse Marsch, emphasizing the opportunity for Canada to continue their progress.
The match will take place at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J., with Marsch expressing excitement for the encounter and viewing it as a valuable experience for his team. This game marks the start of a series of matches against South American opponents for Canada.
Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair will start in goal, with Marsch still deliberating over the final selection for the World Cup. Roster battles are ongoing as players vie for positions in the competitive squad.
Midfielder Stephen Eustaquio and forward Tani Oluwaseyi are set to feature in the match against Colombia. The Canadian men have faced Colombia thrice before, with mixed results in previous encounters.
Colombia is in good form, unbeaten in six games, with key players like Diaz and captain James Rodriguez performing impressively. Marsch remains optimistic, highlighting the positives from previous matches and emphasizing the need for execution in crucial moments.
Canada, with a record of 6-2-3 this year, looks to build on their performances, with Marsch emphasizing the importance of learning from setbacks and improving in key areas.
Australia’s victory over Canada was attributed to a defensive error by Niko Sigur, leading to the lone goal. Australia will face the 16th-ranked United States in their next match, while Canada prepares to take on Colombia in their upcoming fixture.