Marsch, Stoney represent new, united Canada Soccer: 'One nation, one team'

It might be a little premature to consider Monday’s Canada Soccer event as the official kick-off to the 2026 World Cup, but it certainly felt that way as it was announced that Boi-1da and Infinity Records will be music ambassadors for the national teams.

The long-maligned association has a very different feel about it these days. In addition to Boi-1da forcing many a media member to frantically Google exactly who he was — nothing against the producer/musician, but more a statement on the average age of the assembled scribes — Canada Soccer also announced its philanthropic plans to raise additional funds through a revamped CanadaRED fan club program via its Canada Soccer Foundation.

The event was slick and continues the air of legitimacy around the new Canada Soccer leadership since CEO Kevin Blue and president Peter Augruso took the helm.

As an extension of that, two faces that represent the new direction are women’s head coach Casey Stoney and men’s head coach Jesse Marsch. Following a panel discussion, both worked the room like pros. Marsch, just a few days after making international headlines with his comments regarding Donald Trump’s anti-Canada rhetoric, was more than happy to regale his experiences since Friday’s bombshell but gave just a wry smile when asked how strong the backlash has been south of the border. 

Stoney would mention the term “one nation, one team” several times, and it certainly feels the two new coaches are reading from the same team sheet, so to speak. Stoney has been invited to attend the men’s Concacaf Nations League camp later this month and says she will just sit back and observe, though Marsch does seem like the type of coach who might tap into his colleague’s soccer IQ.

While that does sound like common sense, there has been a huge divide between the two programs in the past. Resentment between the men’s and the women’s program existed, but perhaps a bridge is being built. Pay equity appears to be close at hand, and no longer a stumbling block to any CBA. 

Speaking of the CBA, there is still no news to report on that front other than talks continue, with neither side tipping their hand just yet.

INJURY WATCH FOR CANADIAN MEN

With the Concacaf Nations League final stage kicking off on Mar. 20 when Canada faces Mexico in the semifinals, there was a collective gasp this weekend when three of Canada’s top full-backs suffered injury scares. Alphonso Davies at Bayern Munich, Vancouver’s Sam Adekugbe and Toronto FC’s Richie Laryea all left their respective matches early. 

Laryea attended Monday’s Canada Soccer event and was in good spirits, with no evidence of a limp but awaiting the results of a scan. The early reports from Germany were that Davies' injury was not too serious.  Adekugbe is more concerning given his recent injury history, and the fact that he left pitch-side in tears.

Regardless of the severity of these injuries, it does highlight how close to calamity any international side can be at any time. In these cases, it is the left-back position that will be causing Marsch nightmares. Davies is his star at full-back on the left side, but as Adekugbe demonstrated through World Cup qualifying, he is an outstanding replacement when healthy. Meanwhile, Laryea is as versatile a wide player as you will find — he slips into a left-back role seamlessly when called upon.

If all three are out? Then the drop-off is steep.

A player like Zorhan Bassong of Sporting Kansas City might be an option, having been called up to the latest provisional 60-man squad ahead of the Nations League. Although, it’s more than likely that Derek Cornelius would move over from centre-back role in such an emergency.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, of course, but it’s an important reminder that the Concacaf Nations League is less than three weeks away.