Canada has announced its 24-player squad for this month’s friendlies against Ecuador and Venezuela.
Among the names are three new faces in Middlesbrough defender Alfie Jones, Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Owen Goodman, who is on loan from Crystal Palace and Tigres winger Marcelo Flores, who is in camp as a training player.
Jesse Marsch’s side is currently ranked 28th in the world and is coming off of an October international window where it dropped a 1-0 match in Montreal to Australia and earned a scoreless draw with Colombia.
“This is one of our final windows before the FIFA World Cup, and it will be crucial that we finish this year strong before the extended break,” Marsch said in a statement. “It’s been a pleasure to coach this team and this group. We’re in the home stretch of a major moment for the program and this country. We’ve made a lot of progress this Fall and are eager to showcase that again in front of a big Canadian crowd in Toronto next Thursday.”
Jones, 28, is a Southampton youth product and is in his first season at Boro following five years at Hull City. He is eligible to represent Canada through his grandfather. Jones has appeared in 14 matches this season, recording a goal.
Goodman, 21, was born in East London, but spent 10 years in Canada as a child in Alliston, Ont. He signed a professional deal with Palace in 2021. He has yet to make a first team appearance for the Eagles. Goodman previously had loan spells at Colchester United and Wimbledon.
Flores, 22, is an intriguing name. Born in Georgetown, Ont., Flores has been previously capped three times by Mexico. Because his three caps came under the age of 21, Flores is still eligible to make a one-time switch of allegiance if he chooses to commit to Canada. An Arsenal youth product, Flores has never represented Canada at any level. He has one goal in four appearances for Tigres during the Apetura.
Canada’s match with Ecuador is set for Nov. 13 at Toronto’s BMO Field before a trip to Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, FL on Nov. 18.
Canada will discover its opponents for next summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup on Dec. 5 with a live draw from Washington, DC.
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Canada roster for November friendlies with Ecuador and Venezuela
GK – Maxime Crepeau (Portland Timbers), Owen Goodman (Huddersfield Town, on loan from Crystal Palace and Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United)
DF – Zorhan Bassong (Sporting Kansas City), Derek Cornelius (Rangers, on loan from Marseille), Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough), Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Kamal Miller (Portland Timbers), Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split) and Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire)
MF – Ali Ahmed (Vancouver Whitecaps), Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal), Mathieu Choiniere (Los Angeles FC, on loan from Grasshopper), Stephen Eustaquio (Porto), Junior Hoilett (Hibernian), Ismael Kone (Sassuolo, on loan from Marseille), Jayden Nelson (Vancouver Whitecaps), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC) and Nathan Saliba (Anderlecht)
FW – Theo Bair (Lausanne-Sport, on loan from Auxerre), Jonathan David (Juventus), Promise David (Union SG) and Tani Oluwaseyi (Villarreal)
Training player – Marcelo Flores (Tigres)
