Opportunity to crack World Cup roster is open for Canadian forwards in MLS

Suddenly, depth is an area of relative strength for the Canadian men’s national team. 

To be clear, I am not talking about the same sort of depth that the world’s soccer super-powers enjoy, but depth that affords head coach Jesse Marsch the ability to select players based on form rather than simply because there isn’t anyone else to do the job.

Small steps, right? 

With so many of those Canadian footballers plying their trade in strong European leagues, it is easy to forget that there is also plenty of talent here on our doorstep. 

Major League Soccer kicked off this past weekend, and there are some attacking players who simply must enjoy breakthrough campaigns to crack the World Cup squad next year. Tani Oluwaseyi (Minnesota United), Stephen Afrifa (Sporting Kansas City) and Jacen Russell-Rowe (Columbus Crew) are three hopefuls who will be up against it due to the success of their European-based compatriots. However, there is opportunity and zero Euro-bias to prevent them from claiming a spot.

First off, it is a safe bet to assume Jonathan David and Cyle Larin will be the first two forward names in what will more than likely be a return to the traditional 23-man squads (rather than the pandemic enforced expanded 26-man squads). So, that likely leaves two more spots up front. 

Promise (David) Akinpelu of Union SG in Belgium has reportedly just committed to Canada over Nigeria. Akinpelu is in fine form this season, with eight goals to his name in the first division. At the moment, we will keep Akinpelu under the ‘intriguing’ label. However, at six-foot-four, he may well be more than that for Marsch and could earn a call-up for next month’s Nation’s League semifinal vs. Mexico (he was named to Canada's preliminary roster named on Monday).

After reports that he also committed to Canada, Bournemouth’s Daniel Jebbison was also on the prelim roster and will be available for selection. Jebbison has been in the England youth system since 2021 and, since returning to the Cherries in January following a disappointing loan spell at Watford, has become an important squad player for the high-flying south coasters.

Charles-Andreas Brym of Almere City FC in the Netherlands has impressed since his loan move from Sparta Rotterdam in January, and his versatility as both a winger and a centre forward is alluring, although he has barely featured to date under Marsch.

Sheffield Wednesday’s Ike Ugbo and Auxerre’s Theo Bair have yet to find their form for Canada since debuting in 2021 and 2020 respectively but earn regular minutes with their clubs and are very much in the mix under Marsch. However, neither can be described as prolific in front of goal.

There is also a yearning from the fan base to see a youngster like Santiago Lopez get a shot.  Lopez is considered a major prospect and is well respected at PUMAS in Liga MX. He already immersed himself with Canada ahead of the Panama match last year, but specifically with the U-20s. 

None of those players are locks to make the squad, though. That means the door is very much open for a North American-based striker or two.

Oluwaseyi has an inside track following a very good 2024 season with Minnesota when he surprised many with eight goals and four assists. Born in Nigeria, Oluwaseyi is another who fell through the cracks of Canadian club soccer, only to be discovered and drafted by the Loons after coming of age in US college soccer. With two starts and nine caps for Canada but still looking for his first international goal, the 24-year-old Oluwaseyi is very much in Marsch’s plans.

Kansas City unearthed a potential gem with Afrifa at the No. 8 pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft. Another dual-national, Afrifa answered Marsch’s call last year during a strong MLS season that saw him score four goals. There is plenty to like about the Ghana-born forward with his ability to play across the top of the pitch. With two caps under Marsch already, there are eyes on the 24-year-old.

Russell-Rowe is perhaps the most well-known of the MLS hopefuls. Another product from the football factory that is Brampton, Ont., Russell-Rowe has made his way through the Canadian youth system and has earned seven caps for country. Last season, he scored five goals for the powerhouse Crew and kicked off this season with a goal on Saturday.

There are others, of course — raw talent such as Jules-Anthony Vilsaint of CF Montreal, or even a veteran coming off long-term injury such as Lucas Cavallini of Liga MX club Puebla. And there may also be other dual-national players who will emerge. Unfortunately, any hope of Luka Kulenovic of Heracles in Spain choosing Canada have been dashed with a late 2024 Bosnia call-up for the, ahem, former Toronto FC youngster.

Regardless, the 2025 MLS season is intriguing for a number of reasons, and the development of Canadian strikers is certainly one such reason.