In the World Cup Round of 32, it’s time for Jesse Marsch and Canada to throw everything at the wall
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South Africa Upsets South KoreaMexico Marches Into KnockoutsThird-Place QualifiersBracketPlayers to WatchKnockout Round PossibilitiesIn the World Cup Round of 32, it’s time for Jesse Marsch and Canada to throw everything at the wall
Promise David retrieves the ball after scoring Canada's goal in their 2-1 defeat to Switzerland Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
By Joshua KlokeJune 24, 2026 Updated 9:08 pm EDTVANCOUVER – Liam Millar saw what so many saw.
In the second half of Canada’s 2-1 loss to Switzerland, which sent them into second place in Group B, their entire game changed. Canada’s substitutes provided intense energy, physicality and an offensive push.
“(Switzerland) didn’t really like it when you get aggressive with them,” Canada’s winger said of how he and the substitutes changed the game in the second half.
It all felt similar to how Canada looked in the second half against Bosnia and Herzegovina, when they came back for a crucial draw.
Let’s call Canada’s wild win over a weakened Qatar an anomaly. And so Canada’s best moments have come in each second half when head coach Jesse Marsch’s decisions reflect a head coach going after a game. That attitude is exactly what Canada now need before their Round of 32 game in just four days.
Canada’s relative inexperience in the World Cup, plus the enormity of this tournament on home soil, has meant every Canadian game has been the biggest in the program’s history.
But, once more with feeling: Canada’s Round of 32 game in Los Angeles, probably against a testy, counter-attacking South Korea side that has similar traits as Canada, will unquestionably be the biggest in the history of the sport in Canada.
Win and Canada could be taken more seriously in international soccer. And with that comes heightened, long-term interest in the sport across a country whose eyes are often drawn elsewhere.
Lose and the collective “Yeah, but” of this World Cup for Canada will be difficult to hear. Yes, Canada demolished a lowly Qatar side. Yes, they escaped their group, which is an important and commendable achievement. But if they lose at a time when interest from the entire country has never been higher — win-or-go-home games just hit different — it will be difficult to call this World Cup a massive success for Canada.
A success, yes. But Canada Soccer want a massive success because the chances to capitalize on a home World Cup are few.
So, how does Canada make the most of what they’ve experienced through the group stage?
They are playing under a manager whose entire coaching philosophy exists in fifth gear. It’s time for Marsch to throw everything he has at the wall.
If not now, then when?
Canada fought and pushed forward as valiantly as they ever have under Marsch to end against Switzerland. They attacked Switzerland in waves. They pressed with purpose to win second balls. The 50/50 duels always felt like they were Canada’s to lose. A draw felt within their reach.
Canada can’t afford to ponder their way through a game, as they did at times against Bosnia and in shorter spells against Switzerland.
Marsch wants his team to be relentless. He believes that’s when Canada is at their best. They were remarkably relentless and inspired once the team’s substitutes entered in the second half against Switzerland. One of the most enduring feelings of Canada’s World Cup games in Canada was how forceful and inspired they looked late in the second half.
More of that — both in personnel and execution – and Canada will have a better chance in their Round of 32 game.
Yes, the Swiss side were beaten down by Canada’s effective, physical defending and had their backs up against the wall. You can argue that how Canada played is not sustainable for a full 90 minutes. But the personnel Marsch utilized made a difference.
And, it sort of has to be sustainable. Being relentless is how Canada want to play.
Marsch has to bottle that energy and that directness and let it influence his lineup choices. Zooming out to the latter stages of the second half against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Switzerland, Canada played as emotionally charged and on the front foot as ever. Were they chasing a result? Yes. But were those two spells the best representation of Marsch soccer? Undoubtedly.
What could changes look like?
Nathan Saliba was outstanding in place of Ismael Kone. His playmaking gave Canada their better chances. Marsch has to consider who is best to play around Saliba and, again, let the lightning in a bottle he has in Saliba to crack brighter.
Nathan Saliba impressed in Wednesday’s Group B closer (Alex Grimm/Getty Images)Promise David, man. Canada’s merciless giant of a forward wreaked havoc against Switzerland and Bosnia. His goal embodied his power. In just 44 minutes at the World Cup, David has a goal and an assist. There’s no better time to use his remarkable productive streak over a larger sample size. Playing David has always felt like throwing a stick of dynamite into a game. Starting him would intensify the explosion.
Worth noting that South Korea are currently struggling with a personnel transition, having recently moved to a back three.
If there were ever a situation that called for dynamite, would it not be against a team that isn’t on solid ground defensively?
Stephen Eustaquio looked resounding and committed as a second-half substitute. Why didn’t he start?
“We wanted to start Steph, but he didn’t feel like he was ready to go,” Marsch said of Eustaquio’s new, undisclosed injury. “So we felt like he was a 30-minute limit, so that’s what we did.”
Postgame, Eustaquio said he would be ready to play Canada’s Round of 32 game. To start?
“I don’t know, depends on Jesse,” Eustaquio said.
No disrespect to Mathieu Choiniere — he was effective on the day — but if Canada can get enough out of Eustaquio, he has to start.
Can Moise Bombito start and play for nearly an entire game? The centre-back’s power and physicality are exactly what’s needed to slow South Korea’s counter-attacks. Moise Bombito at, say, 85 percent just elevates Canada’s entire game. There is no more time for Marsch to wait until Bombito inches closer to 100 percent. Bombito’s recovery speed could have helped on Canada’s first goal against, when two defenders crowded against a perfect cross that eventually found its way past Maxime Crepeau.
In the seconds before Switzerland’s second goal, three defenders looked to have every angle covered against star Swiss forward Breel Embolo. But a short pass and a strong shot from Johan Manzambi were the difference. Could more power and speed have helped?
Canada could be waiting for Bombito to play in a Round of 16 game that might not happen without him.
Will Stephen Eustaquio be fit to start in Canada’s Round of 32 game? (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)Millar pushed the pace through the middle third of the park in a substitute role, just as he did as a starter against Bosnia. You can ask questions about the final product, but you can’t really ask more in terms of effort and directness in moving the ball forward. Millar changed the game for the better. He could keep up with a South Korea side that will offer pace as well.
Finally, the Alphonso Davies of it all.
The “Will he or won’t he play” question hung over Canada’s entire stay in Canada. And turns out? He did not play. There’s disappointment to address in the missed opportunity. But moving forward, if Davies is reasonably fit enough to play, he should. Marsch said before the match that he expected Davies to play.
“Alphonso wasn’t ready yet, so I was using him a little bit as a decoy,” Marsch said postgame. “However, he will be ready next match.”
Canada should be through waiting. Davies’ quality and experience will matter against South Korea.
Sometimes a sentiment is so resounding it bears repeating: if not now, when?
Marsch and Canada cannot afford to hesitate with their choices and approach in, once again, the biggest game in Canada’s men’s soccer history.
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