Canadians 'buzzing' as Nations League test begins at site of Gold Cup glory

LOS ANGELES — It was here, at the L.A. Coliseum 25 years ago, that the Canadian men’s national team last won a trophy.

Some would argue the 2000 Gold Cup was the team’s only trophy, but to appease the historians of the game, we must pay homage to the 1904 Olympic champion — Galt FC, which represented Canada — as well as the 1985 Concacaf champions that qualified for the 1986 World Cup.

Let’s just agree it has been a very long time, making this week’s Concacaf Nations League finals a rather big deal, even if the team’s stars are unaware of the program's history at Monday’s training venue.

“I actually didn't know that,” Alphonso Davies said about Canada winning its last trophy at this stadium. “Wow okay, yeah maybe it's our lucky time.”

“No, I had no clue,” Moise Bombito added. “This is really good news … 25 years is a long time.”

Even head coach Jesse Marsch needed a reminder from a couple members of his staff.

“Paul (Stalteri) and Jason Bent and a number of the guys told me about it,” Marsch said. “They didn't think my history of scoring a goal here in front of the biggest crowd was that important because they won the Gold Cup here, so actually, when you look on that overall reflection, I'd say that their history is a little bit more important.”

In defence of Marsch, he had been joking that the record crowd he had scored in front of (over 92,000 fans in 2006 when he was a Chivas USA player) was largely because it was the first match of a double-header, with the late match at the stadium that night featuring a friendly between Barcelona and CD Guadalajara. 

But for those of us old enough to remember that wonderful 2000 Gold Cup win over Colombia, returning to the scene of the glory did proffer a few goosebumps. It seemed very fitting that this group of players — a legitimate contender for a trophy here — was able to grace the hallowed turf, even if they were first unaware of the significance. 

Canada is full of pace, intensity and youth — more so than ever. Two new faces were on show for the squad’s first training session ahead of Thursday’s semifinal vs. Mexico: 21-year-old Daniel Jebbison of the Premier League’s Bournemouth, and Promise David, a 23-year-old plying his trade in Belgium’s top division with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. They are enjoying their first Canada call-ups, having officially committed to Les Rouges as dual nationals earlier this month.

The two strikers compliment star men Jonathan David and Cyle Larin up front in an attack that is considered now the deepest the national team has ever had.

It is unlikely either of the new faces will start on Thursday, with Marsch suggesting the tried-and-tested partnership of Larin and David (Jon, that is) will open the match at SoFi Stadium. However, the two new boys have fit in well, and impressed their new teammates.

“The guys are buzzing,” Davies raved. “We're happy to have the calibre of players like (Jebbison and Promise David). They have the stature, the physicality (of) playing at a top level and now we're excited to have them here and we're excited to see what they can bring.”

“I think both, first of all, have big personalities so I think they fit in the group well,” Marsh added. “We had a little meeting with them and then Cyle and Johnny, to talk a little bit about some of the tactics and behaviours of what we get out of the team but they're both really excited to be here. I think they're gonna fit in really well, so first impression is very positive.”

The two new recruits come on the heels of another dual national — Niko Sigur — choosing Canada last year. 

Call it the Jesse Marsch effect or not, but on a day when an old stadium reminded us of some glorious ghosts of the past, there was a definite energy at Canada training — a freshness and an eagerness that might translate into something very special. Another trophy and championship we can call our own.