Colombia vs Canada
Photography by: Emanuel Castañeda and Peter Bonilla
Under the bright lights of Sports Illustrated Stadium, the Canadian Men’s National Team stood strong. Against 13th-ranked Colombia — a Copa América finalist just two years ago — Jesse Marsch’s men went toe-to-toe, trading tackles, moments of composure, and flashes of quality in a gritty 0–0 draw that said far more than the scoreline suggested.
It wasn’t the typical night of fluid attacking soccer that most fans expected. It was a cagey, gritty affair overall. And for Canada — a team still shaping its identity under Marsch — that’s progress, especially against a seasoned side like Colombia.
“I think it was a good performance, not a great performance,” Marsch said postgame. “We were in fourth or fifth gear for most of it — but I believe we have another level. Still, the way we commit to games like this will benefit us down the road.”
It was the second match of a challenging October window for Canada, who fell 1–0 to Australia in Montreal just four days earlier. Against Colombia, though, they looked sharper, more composed, and more mature — a team learning how to manage the rhythm of elite-level games.
Colombia entered the night in blistering form, fresh off a 4–0 thrashing of Mexico and riding a six-match unbeaten run. The pro-Colombian crowd of more than 20,000 made Red Bull Arena feel like Barranquilla, but Canada stood firm. Richie Laryea embodied that defiance — booked early for a late challenge on Bayern Munich’s Luis Díaz, yet undeterred in his aggression. “Jesse told me to keep being myself,” Laryea said. “That’s the way we play.”
Dayne St. Clair, restored to the starting XI, turned in one of his best nights in a Canadian shirt, recording his ninth clean sheet in 18 caps. Behind a backline featuring Derek Cornelius, Niko Sigur, Luc de Fougerolles, and Laryea, the Loons goalkeeper helped limit Colombia to a single shot on target.
The defensive structure held even as Colombia introduced their heavy hitters — James Rodríguez and Cucho Hernández — in the second half. When Díaz darted in behind in the 57th minute, his low shot whistled inches wide. Minutes later, Jonathan David appeared to have given Canada the lead, smashing home from a Jacob Shaffelburg flick, only for the flag to rule it out for offside.
Statistically, it was a scrappy contest: 38 fouls, just two shots on target combined, and long spells of midfield wrestling. But hidden in the grind was something important — a sense that Canada is learning to suffer well. They won 55 percent of duels, out-tackled Colombia 28–15, and looked increasingly confident in hostile conditions.
“We’re starting to look more like an experienced team,” Marsch said. “The leaders are acting like leaders, the young players are developing, and we’re growing into who we want to be.”
Canada will close their 2025 calendar next month with friendlies against Ecuador in Toronto and Venezuela in Fort Lauderdale. For now, they’ll leave New Jersey with no goals, but plenty of belief — and the feeling that, when the World Cup arrives on home soil next summer, this team will be ready.
