Working to B ready for Qatar
Working to B ready for Qatar
An intriguing 'B' roster named for the first of two tune ups for Qatar
About the time this week that Kevin De Bruyne was scoring yet another impossible free kick goal in the Champions league (it’s fiiiine), Canada named a B roster for its Nov 11 pre-tournament friendly vs Bahrain.
By now, most will have seen it, but for the sake of completion:
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Los Angeles FC (MLS); James Pantemis, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United (MLS).
Defenders: Zachary Brault-Guillard, CF Montreal (MLS); Raheem Edwards, Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS); Doneil Henry, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, CF Montreal; Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Lukas MacNaughton, Toronto FC (MLS); Kamal Miller, CF Montreal (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).
Midfielders: Mathieu Choiniere, CF Montreal (MLS); Liam Fraser, KMSK Deinze (Belgium); Mark-Anthony Kaye, Toronto FC (MLS); Ismael Kone, CF Montreal (MLS); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Samuel Piette, CF Montreal (MLS).
Forwards: Ayo Akinola, Toronto FC (MLS); Lucas Cavallini, Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Jayden Nelson, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS).
Before we get into this, a rare word of praise for the CSA for actually scheduling it. Whether they felt obligated to give these players a fair and full look because of the tense relationship they are having with the federation right now is anyone’s guest, but no matter. They have scheduled this game, which falls outside the FIFA window, as well as one within versus Japan.
We are quick to point out when the CSA fails to spend the money to allow for full preparation (where are the u23 camps, for instance), so we must praise when they do step up.
The USA isn’t playing any games like this and they face the same issues that Canada does with MLS players being out of season. We needed to have this game and we are.
That said, this is going to be a unique game in Canadian history. Never before will a friendly be under this much scrutiny or be this important for the players taking part.
World Cup spots will be earned and lost in this game. there will be legitimate attention paid to the result in Canada. This is what many of us waited a near lifetime to see again.
With that in mind, let’s break down where each of these players fit and how realistic their fight for a spot is.
In general, you can break this line-up into four catatories. Looking for Fitness, Proving they are Healthy, On the Bubble and Sneak Peak at 2026.
The Looking for Fitness players are on the plane unless they get hurt. This game and camp is just about staying in game shape.
Proving they are Healthy is straightforward. They will have a spot, if they are healthy.
Sneak Peak at 2026 are the exceptionally young players who realistically are here to absorb some of the World Cup pressure and be tested with an eye to the next cycle.
So, it’s the On the Bubble group that we will want to look at the closest during the game. Here is how I see the players fitting into these groups:
Looking for Fitness: Maxime Crepeau, Dayne St. Clair, Alistair Johnston, Richie Laryea, Kamal Miller, Samuel Piette
I suspect most will agree with these players being here. The third keeper position might create a little debate, but it became clear that St. Clair had emerged to capture that spot as the qualifying campaign entered its final stages.
Proving they are Healthy: Mark-Anthony Kaye, Jonathan Osorio
MAK is probably in the Looking for Fitness camp, but he did have some injury concerns down the stetch in MLS.
This category is mostly about Oso though. Of Herdman’s core he is the player most in doubt and the player that would be most missed if injuries prevented him from taking part.
Many fans will breathe a sigh of relief if they see the boy from Brampton out there on 11/11.
On the Bubble: Raheem Edwards, Doneil Henry, Joel Waterman, Liam Fraser, Ismael Kone, Ayo Akinola, Lucas Cavallini
This is where it gets interesting. All of these players have been a part of the set-up a long time, or are on great form. Let’s start with the latter.
Kone is a player that can only lose a spot here. So long as he doesn’t drop off significantly he is exactly the type of dynamic, young player that fits the tournament perfectly. There will be increased pressure this close to the tournament so let’s put him on the World Cup roster in pencil, not pen, but I suspect he won’t just be on the roster but will probably feature significantly at the tournament.
Edwards is a long-shot, but deserves a fair look based on his form this year.
That brings us to the defenders and the forwards. This could very well be a playoff for the final spot in each case.
Herdman generally values loyalty. So, I anticipate that Henry and Cavallini will capture the two spots. However, it’s the World Cup so having a long look at the options available is important. Waterman, in particular, will be interesting. He’s on form and familiar with the core starters at the back. Henry has barely played. This might be the most difficult roster spot to call.
Sneak Peak at 2026: James Pantemis, Zachary Brault-Guillard, Lukas MacNaughton, Jayden Nelson, Jacob Shaffelburg
As stated, these players are mostly here as a future look. I would anticipate that they will all get good looks in the Nations League when it starts back up and the Gold Cup next summer.
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'Attitude' might well be a fifth consideration. Having a positive, professional approach on and off the field could be a key to making the squad now and in the future.