Canada coach Jesse Marsch hinted that he could field a very different lineup when the men’s national soccer team plays in Saturday’s third-place match at the Copa América.
For starters, Marsch was noncommittal about the status of team captain Alphonso Davies, who was fouled hard by Gonzalo Montiel in Tuesday’s 2-0 semifinal loss to Argentina and had to leave in the 71st minute.
An X-ray on Davies’ right leg was negative, Marsch said via Zoom with media on Wednesday, but added: “Whether he’ll be available for Saturday night, it’s too early to say.”
The American coach, who has only been in his job since May 13, then suggested that 18-year-old Luc de Fougerolles could make his tournament debut in the match at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. (Canada will play the loser of Wednesday night’s other semifinal between Uruguay and Colombia.)
“He’s 18. But he doesn’t play like an 18 year old,” said Marsch of the young defender, who plays with Fulham of England’s Premier League and has just one cap for his country. “And I haven’t treated him like an 18-year-old. I’ve demanded a lot out of him every day. He’s trained really well every day and I think he’s been one of the best performers in camp.”
Marsch added that he’d told the 14 players who had attended Wednesday’s training session, which was comprised largely of those who had not seen minutes yet in the tournament: “Look, we’re making some changes for Saturday.”
The goal, Marsch explained, was to expand the depth of the team as it works toward the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.
“I’ve tried to coach the team in a way for people to be excited, inspired by what we’re trying to do,” said Marsch. “It’s been nice to hear the stories coming out of Canada about the energy we’ve created.”