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VAN DIEST: Canada evolving into a World Cup qualifying contender


On Sunday in Nashville, Canada earned a valuable point in a 1-1 tie against the United States in the final round of Concacaf World Cup qualifying

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John Herdman and the Canadian men’s national soccer team are evolving, and there is a very good chance it will lead them to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

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Canada earned a valuable point in a 1-1 tie against the United States in the final round of Concacaf World Cup qualifying Sunday in Nashville. Cyle Larin scored the tying goal in the 62nd minute, seven minutes after the United States had taken the lead through striker Brenden Aaronson.

“I think we’re content, but we’re not happy,” Herdman said after the game. “When those opportunities presented themselves, three points (for a win) were staring us in the face. As we get better and this team keeps improving, we’ll take those moments in tough places like this.

“I think the lads will come away content, but they’ll be a little irked tonight when we’re trying to switch off, because it could have been three (points).”

United States defender Antonee Robinson (5) dribbles the ball against Canada defender Richie Laryea (22) in the second half during a CONCACAF FIFA World Cup Qualifier soccer match at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Sept. 5, 2021.
United States defender Antonee Robinson (5) dribbles the ball against Canada defender Richie Laryea (22) in the second half during a CONCACAF FIFA World Cup Qualifier soccer match at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Sept. 5, 2021. Photo by Christopher Hanewinckel /USA TODAY Sports

As important as the road point was for Canada in the standings, taking two away from the United States at home was of greater value as the two teams are vying for, at least, a top-four spot in the eight team qualifying phase. The top three after the home-and-away round robin earn a berth into the 2022 World Cup, while the fourth-place team advances to a continental playoff for an extra spot in Qatar.

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Canada will host El Salvador on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One) at BMO Field in Toronto in the third and final game of the current FIFA international window. In total, Canada will play 14 games in the final round of qualifying.

“I think we stuck to the game plan, we went out there and got our chances and we could have won the game too,” said Larin. “We stuck together as a team and even though we conceded, we still fought back for a goal.

“We’re just building day-by-day and game-by-game and I’m sure we’ll win many games and we’ll make the World Cup.”

Canada is a work in progress, which includes Herdman and his coaching staff.

When he took over the men’s national program after a successful stint with the women’s team, Herdman did not have any male international coaching experience. It was somewhat of a concern, because he would be matching wits with veteran, vastly more experienced, men’s international coaches in Concacaf.

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To his credit, however, Herdman is learning on the job and evolving along with his young team, able to make proper adjustments in regards to tactics and player selection.

The best way to utilize star Alphonso Davies is a prime example.

On the previous occasion Canada travelled to face the United States with Davies in the lineup, Herdman and his staff used the Edmonton product at left back where he plays with Bayern Munich — a team loaded with world-class players.

Canada were looking to hold on to a two-goal lead in the away leg of the Concacaf Nations League in Nov. 2019, and planted Davies at the back to try and contend with United States attacking fullback Sergino Dest, a rising Dutch-born American star who is now at Barcelona.

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The move did not work out as Canada were soundly defeated 4-1 and Davies was rooted at the back for most of the game, even when trailing by three goals.

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On Sunday, Herdman and his staff recognized the best way to deal with Dest was to have Davies in an attacking position, so he lined up in midfield and provided a dangerous counter-attacking option. It was Dest who was rooted at the back trying to contend with Davies.

After Dest was forced to leave the game injured, Davies had a field day with his replacement DeAndre Yedlin, which led to the tying goal.

Davies blew by Yedlin on a through pass from Sam Adekugbe and set up Larin for the tying goal. Canada then had numerous chances to win the game, particularly after Tajon Buchanan entered the game, presenting a similar attacking threat from the right side.

Buchanan had a case for a penalty late in the game when taken down from behind, but did not get the call.

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“You see new faces that are coming into the lineup performing,” Herdman said. “We’re showing a talented squad from No. 1 to 23; we have a very talented group of players that are desperate to go to a World Cup.”

Canada is fielding its most talented men’s team in history and Herdman is determined to get the group into a World Cup prior to likely gaining an automatic berth for the 2026 tournament, taking place in North America.

Davies is the most talented player in the group, which also includes Johnathan David, Stephen Eustaquio, Larin, Richie Laryea, Atiba Hutchinson, Adekugbe and Buchanan, among others. Never has a Canadian men’s team had so many players at major European clubs.

“I think with Alphonso, you could play him in any position on the field, when his mind is committed. This guy is special,” Herdman said. “I get the chance to work with him, (Adekugbe) gets a chance to room with him every now and then; he’s just a special individual. He has a mindset that put him at that level and there is nothing much that phases him.

“He wants to entertain the crowd. For me, it’s always trying to put him in positions where that kid can entertain. Sometimes it’s lower, sometimes it’s higher. Sometimes it’s on the right and sometimes it’s on the left. It’s the same thing, go and do your thing son.”

Email: dvandiest@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @DerekVanDiest

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