Canada edge past nine-man Chile but Marsch demands a 'cleaner' performance
Canada edge past nine-man Chile but Marsch demands a 'cleaner' performance
Canada marked their return to action after the World Cup with a win, but head coach Jesse Marsch is far from satisfied with the performance that got them there. A 1-0 defeat of a nine-man Chile at BMO Field secured the result, yet Marsch is pushing for a far 'cleaner' showing next time.
Jonathan David scored the decisive goal after just 12 minutes. Jacob Schaffelburg's cross was met by Cyle Larin, whose saved shot rebounded off him to David, who calmly tapped the ball home to give Canada an early lead over a Chile side that would soon be reduced to nine men.
Lucas Cepeda was shown a straight red card in the 35th minute after catching Richie Laryea with a high boot, while Gabriel Suazo was given an early exit five minutes after the break — his second booking following a first for dissent, before his late foul on Niko Sigur.
Second-half waste leaves Marsch frustrated
Despite holding a two-man advantage for much of the second half, Canada could not add a second goal. They finished with 22 shots worth 2.6 expected goals (xG), 16 of those attempts coming after the break, yet still found the net only once. They also struck the woodwork twice, with Laryea and Jamie Knight-Lebel both going close inside the final six minutes of the 90.
That wastefulness is precisely what Marsch wants to address as his side continue to build on their round-of-16 World Cup exit.
"Chile makes it hard. I don't think [our] second half was very good. Chile remained aggressive even down two men. The way to make them pay was to be cleaner with the ball and cleaner with ideas and actions around the goal. We were too wild, not enough shots on frame, not enough final actions with good connections."
Larin was Canada's constant threat in attack, recording a game-high four shots, 12 touches in the opposition box, two 'big' chances, and winning two of his four aerial duels. But the striker was clear that the scoreline alone is not the point.
"Every game we play is a must-win. You don't come here to play and just to draw or get a result."
Canada will hope to take Marsch's message on board as they look to sharpen their final actions and convert dominance into more clinical results in the fixtures ahead.