I was hoping to reintroduce Alphonso Davies into this version of the Team Canada Tracker, but alas it was not meant to be.
After coming in for Bayern Munich in the second half of its 6-1 demolition of Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday, Davies — looking very tidy, even picking up an assist — was forced off the pitch after 25 minutes of his return to action with another muscle injury.
I am waiting for Canada Soccer to make a public complaint as to how Bayern Munich have dealt with the full-back’s return to play following his hamstring tear two weeks ago — you know, just like Bayern did following Davies’ ACL injury last year — but I am not holding my breath.
Canada’s defence remains in tatters with six of its top seven players still out. Six! Count them: Davies, Moise Bombito, Derek Cornelius, Alfie Jones, Alistair Johnston and Luc de Fourgerolles, who tweaked an ankle last weekend. Fun times.
So, this month’s projected XI is a challenge!
GK — Owen Goodman (Last month’s pick: James Pantemis)
While Dayne St. Clair continues to find his feet at Inter Miami and Max Crepeau gets set to serve a one-match suspension for his red card for Orlando against NYFC on the weekend, Goodman returns to the starting lineup, replacing Portland’s James Pantemis. Goodman picked up two Man of the Match awards over the past week for Barnsley as he continues to own the starting spot since arriving on loan in January.
RB — Richie Laryea (Last month’s pick: Richie Laryea)
Things are looking a little shaky at the back to say the least. Zorhan Bassong of Sporting KC is another full-back out with a hamstring injury and Hajduk Split’s Niko Sigur is serving a three-match suspension for spitting. Therefore, Laryea slides back into his natural right-back slot, where he has been playing for Toronto FC this season. Tough to argue Laryea’s selection anywhere on the pitch to be honest, and his assist for Daniel Salloi’s winner this past weekend was exquisite to say the least.
CB — Ralph Priso (Last month’s pick: Ralph Priso)
The absence of so many defenders has really opened the door for Priso to assert his claim for a starting job. The Whitecaps have been brilliant to start the season — perfect, in fact — and that is in large part to Priso’s continued emergence as a top centre back. He has played every minute so far for the ‘Caps and, although he is still a bubble squad player once everyone gets healthy, the fact that he can slip into midfield seamlessly is a huge advantage.
CB — Jamie Knight-Lebel (Last month’s pick: Luc De Fougerolles)
Knight-Lebel has been the forgotten man in Canada soccer conversations of late. With Alfie Jones and Priso making waves, perhaps that is understandable, but the 21-year-old continues to put in solid performances for Swindon Town. Manager Ian Holloway loves an aggressive defender who can add to the attack, and Knight-Lebel fits the bill, which gives him the nod ever-so-slightly over Joel Waterman.
LB — Raheem Edwards (Last month’s pick: Zorhan Bassong)
A name from the past, maybe for the present too? Back with Toronto FC and looking good, Edwards is deep on the full-back depth chart, but did I mention there are a TON of injuries? Edward’s last cap came back in 2022, so this one is from left field (literally, actually) but he is playing very well and could be a stop-gap measure. Edward’s is also an outstanding quote, which needs to count for something.
RW — Tajon Buchanan (Last month’s pick: Malik Henry)
Buchanan returns to his office, situated wide on the right-hand side of the pitch. The Villarreal man was back in the goals last weekend as well, scoring a quintessential Tajon Buchanan goal — cutting in, throwing down some frankly rude step-overs and then blasting top shelf against Elche. It was Buchanan’s first goal since early December, but Canada will be leaning on the Brampton man to lead with offence this summer.
CM — Ismael Kone (Last month’s pick: Nathan Saliba)
Kone also returns to the position I expect him to patrol at the World Cup. He continues to boss the Sassuolo midfield week in and week out, scoring against Atalanta two weeks ago. Reports are rife in Italy that Inter Milan are extremely interested in the former CF Montreal man, although he seems to be at the perfect club at the moment. In fact, prior to a recent match against Lazio, a popular soccer site had Kone making the combined XI. The kid is for real and owns this position for Canada, until he doesn’t.
CM — Stephen Eustaquio (Last month’s pick: Ali Ahmed)
Yes, we had Ahmed playing centrally last time out, but order is resumed this month with Eustaquio back in midfield. If Eustaquio and Kone are not Jesse Marsch’s preferred central choice this summer, something has gone terribly wrong. Eustaquio left Porto for LAFC in January searching for playing time, and playing time he has found. A nailed-on starter, he has already scored and assisted this season. Frankly, and with respect to MLS, he is too good for this league and should probably still be playing in Europe, but here we are.
LW — Ali Ahmed (Last month’s pick: Liam Miller)
Ahmed felt it was time to make the switch to Europe this winter, opting for Norwich. Good decision, Ali. The former Whitecap looks like a perfect fit for the League Championship at this point in his development. As aggressive as he has always been, the local fans have taken to him, which says a lot for a North American footballer.
F — Cyle Larin (Last month’s pick: Jacen Russell-Rowe)
I take great pleasure in seeing Larin return to a starting spot. Another who’s made the move to England, the Southampton man has fit in well, scoring three goals since arriving in January including an injury-time equalizer on Wednesday night against West Bromwich Albion. Larin is playing well and fits into the team’s pressing system. More importantly, Larin’s legendary Shawarma commercial that debuted during the 2022 World Cup has been discovered by Saints fans, who have enjoyed it immensely on social media.
F — Aribim Pepple (Last month’s pick: Promise David)
While Canada Soccer comes to terms with Promise David’s potential season-ending injury, there is some good news. Bim Pebble has been scoring for fun and has suggested he would be excited about a call-up to Marsch’s Canada. The Plymouth Argyle striker has 10 goals in his last 11 matches; no one with a Canadian passport is scoring at that rate. The former Cavalry striker is a deep cut only until recently, but his emergence is causing waves. Could we see Pepple at this month’s international window? Let’s hope so, stay tuned.
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