{"id":71651,"date":"2026-06-02T18:58:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T18:58:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/71651\/"},"modified":"2026-06-02T18:58:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T18:58:11","slug":"canada-fifa-world-cup-journal-davies-finally-joins-team-as-2nd-half-vs-uzbekistan-teases-exciting-potential","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/71651\/","title":{"rendered":"Canada FIFA World Cup Journal: Davies finally joins team as 2nd half vs. Uzbekistan teases exciting potential"},"content":{"rendered":"

The weather wasn\u2019t great, the first half wasn\u2019t, either, but come the second half, Canada gave the 46,164 fans who showed up in Edmonton what they came for.<\/p>\n

Second half goals from veteran Jonathan Osorio and the up-and-coming Jayden Nelson gave Canada a 2-0 win over Uzbekistan at Commonwealth Stadium. It was the penultimate match the red and white play before their World Cup campaign begins on June 12.<\/p>\n

Canada next travels to Montreal to take on the Republic of Ireland in its final match before the World Cup on June 5.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s everything we\u2019ve learned about Team Canada\u2019s preparation for the World Cup since the last edition of this journal<\/a> last Thursday.<\/p>\n

Davies touches down in hometown Edmonton<\/p>\n

Alphonso Davies finally joined the Canada men\u2019s national soccer team in Edmonton. After missing the training camp in Charlotte, the Canadian captain arrived in his hometown and seemed thrilled to be back with a group he loves spending time with.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe energy of the team,\u201d Davies said of what he\u2019s missed most. \u201cWe have a great dynamic of guys who love to be around each other and there\u2019s nobody that really feels left out. Everybody that comes into camp feels like they\u2019re home and these are their brothers. Off the pitch we\u2019re just having fun with each other but we know that, on the pitch, it\u2019s time for business.\u201d<\/p>\n

Davies has been carefully monitored by his club team Bayern Munich in his bid to recover from a hamstring injury that initially ruled him out four to five weeks, putting his World Cup in doubt. He refuted reports from Germany that Munich were pushing Davies to skip the World Cup and prioritize his health for his club team.<\/p>\n

The comments from Marsch to this point have played down the likelihood that he can play a sizeable role against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12 in Toronto, but the hope is that he figures to be part of the equation later in the tournament.<\/p>\n

Marsch expressed that the team is very motivated to give Davies a chance of playing in the World Cup, indicating that his status for the entire group phase is questionable.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that the further we go in the tournament, the more time that he\u2019ll have to fully recover,\u201d Marsch said. \u201cEven more, what it\u2019s gonna be is a progression of a few minutes in the first game and [ultimately] we wanna give him a chance to be a big player in this tournament for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bombito limps off against Uzbekistan\"EAST<\/p>\n

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 9: Mo\u00efse Bombito #15 of Canada dribbles the ball during the Copa America 2024 semifinal match between Argentina and Canada at MetLife Stadium on July 9, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Stephen Nadler\/ISI Photos\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Mo\u00efse Bombito, at full health, is Canada\u2019s best central defender. He may even be the best central defender in North America. That\u2019s why, despite not having played since Oct. 2025, Marsch named him to the World Cup squad<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In his first match for Canada in over 200 days, Bombito teased a bit of the pace and strength that makes him such an appealing option but ultimately limped off the pitch after 30 minutes. Increasing the panic was video of him walking to the tunnel with a noticeable limp and an ice pack on the tibia area where he broke the bone that saw him sit out so long.<\/p>\n

After the match, Marsch said it was all part of the plan and that Bombito should be ready for Ireland. That now looms large in terms of his availability but the Montreal man currently does not look ready to start on June 12 against Bosnia and Herzegovina.<\/p>\n

If there is a reason not to push the panic button, it\u2019s in knowing that Luc de Fougerolles was outstanding after he came on. Having fully recovered from a concussion, the 20-year-old was making interceptions, blocking crosses, and even managed a couple aerial contests on headers to show he\u2019s put the concussion behind him.<\/p>\n

During his recovery, de Fougerolles explained to in Charlotte that the first few days were just about sleeping at least 10 hours a night, not doing too much, and staying away from his club team\u2019s facilities (Belgium\u2019s FCV Dender EH). He progressed to some light running, then arrived in Carolina for individual sessions before becoming fully available after 10 days under protocol.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt matters to an extent but with the national team we don\u2019t get to play with each other as often, anyway,\u201d de Fougerolles said with regards to playing with different partners at centre-back. \u201cIn training, you train with each other and switch up so, all the centre-backs, I\u2019ve been playing with at some point in time, I understand them.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe principles are always the same regardless of what centre-backs are playing, we know what Jesse expects from centre-backs so we all know what to expect when we play. I know what the person next to me is going to do and I hope they know what I\u2019m going to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Did Cr\u00e9peau settle the goalkeeper debate?<\/p>\n

There has been a long winded debate between Marsch\u2019s ears over who Canada\u2019s starting goalkeeper should be.<\/p>\n

Both Maxime Cr\u00e9peau and Dayne St. Clair have effectively taken turns during Marsch\u2019s tenure but it is puzzling that the head coach has let the uncertainty play out as long as he has. Marsch, though, insists that there is no wrong choice to be made and so seems content to take as much time as he can with it.<\/p>\n

A decision was made to give Cr\u00e9peau the first half against Uzbekistan and St. Clair the second half, and if this match was the deciding factor, then Cr\u00e9peau appears to have nudged himself ahead with an outstanding performance. He officially made one big save when an Uzbekistan forward was through on goal diving to his left, but there was a second save that was perhaps even better. It was a reflex save off a header that Cr\u00e9peau managed to tip over the bar, before the linesman flagged for offside.<\/p>\n

Marsch expects the World Cup\u2019s starting goalkeeper to be the man who starts on Friday in Montreal against the Republic of Ireland, so the countdown is officially on.<\/p>\n

Can Oluwaseyi move back ahead of Larin up front?<\/p>\n

Canada, frankly, looked uninspired in the first half. They really struggled to create quality chances and there didn\u2019t seem to be much of a connection between Jonathan David and Cyle Larin.<\/p>\n

The game took on a completely different tenor in the second half as Marsch rolled out the substitutions, and Tani Oluwaseyi coming in for Larin was arguably the biggest difference. He executes Marsch\u2019s desired style extremely well with his ability to press, and showcased his ability to help Canada create chances in open play with assists for both of his side\u2019s goals.<\/p>\n

Encouragingly, Promise David replaced Jonathan with 20 minutes to play and showed that the hype over his stunning rehab from a major thigh injury in February is very real. He looked a real threat after coming on and finished in impressive fashion with his left foot only to have the goal called back for offside.<\/p>\n

Marsch later confirmed that Promise had been primarily finishing with his right foot in training to ease his left foot back, but pure instinct kicked in when he finished with the left in this one despite initial instructions to avoid it. He will be a crucial option for Marsch off the bench, at least until he can build his way to being fit enough for 90 minutes.m<\/p>\n

Priso, Nelson favourites to replace Flores at World Cup\"EDMONTON,<\/p>\n

EDMONTON, ALBERTA – JUNE 01: Ralph Priso-Mbongue of Canada competes for the ball with Farrukh Sayfiev of Uzbekistan during the international friendly match between Canada and Uzbekistan at Commonwealth Stadium on June 01, 2026 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

With Marcelo Flores forced out of the squad in heartbreaking fashion after rupturing the ACL in his right knee in his final match for his club team this past Saturday, Marsch has to pick a replacement.<\/p>\n

Of the players not in the squad, both Vancouver Whitecaps defender Ralph Priso and Austin FC left winger Jayden Nelson were tremendous coming off the bench. Nelson capped off the victory with a smart side-footed finish after Oluwaseyi laid the ball off for him perfectly. It was a deserved goal after some excellent exploits on the left side of the pitch and even through the middle that gave Canada life in attack.<\/p>\n

Priso was asked to play on the left side, which is unfamiliar to him, making his performance all the more impressive. If it were up to me, with one spot between the two of them, Priso would be my pick based on the current squad needs. He showed he can handle the left side, he can play centre-back, right-back in a pinch, and even central midfield. He has the pace and dynamism that Marsch likes as well.<\/p>\n

Liam Millar is expected to start at left wing and looked terrific starting against Uzbekistan. Richie Laryea looked fit and ready to go in his 30 minute start, while Ali Ahmed is trending in the right direction as well. Then, of course, there is Davies who will also feature on the left side once he\u2019s fit enough. Jacob Shaffelburg is also recovering and may feature against Bosnia.<\/p>\n

With all those options on the left, it makes more sense to bring Priso in and shore up the defence in light of Bombito\u2019s underhwelming health status.<\/p>\n

Notes<\/p>\n

Isma\u00ebl Kon\u00e9 was arguably the best player on the pitch for Canada. I\u2019ll have more on him later in the week.<\/p>\n

Niko Sigur also looked very good after coming on in the 30th minute and had a brief spell on the left side (he\u2019s more accustomed to right-back) but took to the role really well.<\/p>\n

Canada did get caught out on the break a few times and that\u2019s something they\u2019ll look to clean up moving forward.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The weather wasn\u2019t great, the first half wasn\u2019t, either, but come the second half, Canada gave the 46,164…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":71652,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[16174,17,29407,19114,5311,29408,11434,21637,27300,3543],"class_list":["post-71651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-canada","tag-alphonso-davies","tag-canada","tag-canada-mens-national-soccer-team","tag-commonwealth-stadium","tag-jayden-nelson","tag-jeff-vinnick","tag-jonathan-david","tag-jonathan-osorio","tag-uzbekistan","tag-world-cup"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71651","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=71651"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71651\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/71652"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=71651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=71651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=71651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}