A tear rolled down goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau’s cheek as the sold-out crowd at Stade Saputo in Montreal, his hometown, sang “O Canada” on Friday night. The previous day, Jesse Marsch had announced him as the World Cup starter for the Canadian Men’s National Team (CanMNT), and his emotions showed the significance of the occasion.

The CanMNT are getting deeper into the most important month in their history. The match at Stade Saputo, against Ireland, was their final preparatory friendly before the World Cup, exactly one week before their meeting with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto.

Canada’s poor first half in their previous friendly, against Uzbekistan in Edmonton, raised concerns that they might get off to a slow start again. Instead, they started brightly and dominated the first half in Montreal, which ended 1–0 in the Canadians’ favour.

The second half, however, saw a major decline. Ireland drew level with a penalty kick in the 60th minute, and the CanMNT lost their foothold as Ireland continued to create chances. If not for an incredible save by Crépeau in the 83rd minute, the visitors would have had an excellent chance to leave Montreal with a victory instead of a 1–1 draw.

Although Canada did not get the win, Marsch appears to have used a starting eleven that he will repeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Goalkeeper: Maxime Crépeau

Crépeau was not really called into action in this match until Cyle Larin recklessly swung for a high ball in Canada’s box and his boot connected with Jamie McGrath’s shoulder. Troy Parrott sent the penalty low to Crépeau’s left. Crépeau made the save, but Parrott’s teammate Chiedozie Ogbene won the race to the rebound and sent the ball into the back of the net.

Ogbene caused more problems for Canada in the 83rd minute when he crossed the ball to Mason Melia, who was wide open in front of goal. Melia took a touch for control and hammered a shot. About five yards away from Melia, Crépeau instinctively dived to his left and made a seemingly impossible stop with both gloves.

This time, the rebound bounced straight up within Crépeau’s reach. He snatched it out of the air, making Melia raise his hands to his head in disbelief. The save preserved Canada’s eight-match unbeaten streak and prevented a disappointing defeat one week before the World Cup.

Backline: Laryea, Cornelius, de Fougerolles, Johnston

Richie Laryea played 62 minutes at left-back and looked to be his regular self even though he was struggling with an injury not too long ago. His substitute was Zorhan Bassong, a natural left-footer. Bassong was not included in Marsch’s 26-man roster, but his appearance on Friday night makes him stand out as one of the leading candidates to replace the injured Marcelo Flores.

Whitecaps defender Ralph Priso, whom many have highlighted as the right replacement for Flores, did not see the pitch on Friday night. His chances of being called upon as an injury replacement now appear uncertain. Left-back Alphonso Davies and centre-back Alfie Jones, who have both missed most of 2026 due to injury, are on the roster but also did not play on Friday.

Centre-back Derek Cornelius, who looked out of rhythm against Uzbekistan, continued to shake off the rust accumulated during months without competitive matches. Against Ireland, his sloppy pass in the ninth minute nearly resulted in Canada falling behind 1–0. Nevertheless, he was mostly a positive influence for Canada, especially with his consistent winning of aerial duels.

Luc de Fougerolles had another good match. In Edmonton, he replaced Moïse Bombito in the 31st minute. This time, the injured Bombito did not attempt to play at all, and de Fougerolles appears to be Marsch’s preferred starter beside Cornelius in the middle of the back four. So far, the 20-year-old centre-back is rising to the challenge.

Right-back Alistair Johnston of Celtic FC was excellent offensively and defensively. His best moment was a long, arcing pass that sent Jonathan David down the right wing in the 32nd minute. Niko Sigur subbed in for Johnston at halftime, which suggests that Sigur remains important in Marsch’s plans even though Johnston is the apparent starter at right-back.

Midfield: Millar, Eustáquio, Koné, Buchanan

Liam Millar did what he has done many times in CanMNT matches: He showed great dribbling and passing but poor shooting. Canada put only 2 of 20 shots on target, and Millar embodied this wastefulness in front of goal.

Jayden Nelson, who was omitted from Marsch’s World Cup roster, came on for Millar in the 87th minute. He had little time to impact the match, but he remains a possible replacement for the injured Flores.

Stephen Eustáquio took Canada’s set pieces — except for direct kicks at goal, which were taken by Cornelius. Eustáquio provided some good deliveries, and his most dangerous corner kick deflected off two Irishmen before entering the goal for the 1–0 lead in the 23rd minute.

Eustáquio’s partner in the middle of the park, Ismaël Koné, continues to be one of Canada’s most effective ball progressors. The more Koné can dictate matches for Canada, the better.

As in Edmonton, Tajon Buchanan did not hit the high levels he is capable of. He is a great tournament player, so his best form may still be around the corner.

Strikers: Larin and J. David

Cyle Larin is now at 24 international matches with only one goal in the Marsch era. Nevertheless, his recent form with Southampton, experience alongside Jonathan David, and long track record with the national team appear to have kept him ahead of other striker options.

Larin had a great chance to give Canada the 2–1 lead in the 69th minute in Montreal, but his shot — bound for the bottom corner — was denied by a kick save.

Jonathan David’s lack of scoring is also concerning. In addition to an uneven first season with Juventus, he has not scored an open-play goal for Canada since June of last year.

The CanMNT have become a very strong defensive team. They have conceded only three goals during their eight-match unbeaten run and six in their last 16 matches. But better finishing would reduce the burden on a backline that has been hit hard by injuries.