Coach Jesse Marsch Praises Canada's Draw Against France, Eyes Improvement

Canada, ranked 49th, showed significant progress after their 4-0 loss to the Netherlands, currently ranked seventh.

Marsch, who took over as coach on May 13, highlighted the team's poised and organized performance against the 2022 World Cup runners-up.

"It was a big step forward," Marsch said. "But there's still so much work to be done. What I liked was that a lot of the individual behaviours were clearer today than against the Dutch. And collective organization for what we wanted to do in all phases of the game was better. But there's still a lot to do to get even better for me."

The timing is crucial, as Canada faces top-ranked Argentina, the World Cup champions, in their Copa America opener in Atlanta on June 20.

While the draw against France isn't a win, it's a significant result, joining Canada's memorable 0-0 tie with Brazil in the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup and a 1-1 tie with Brazil in Edmonton ahead of the 1994 World Cup.

"It's one game. It's a friendly. It's against a very good opponent and it's a draw, it's not a win. But obviously there's confidence in the group right now," Marsch noted.

The draw stands out, especially when compared to the recent heavy losses of other CONCACAF teams: the 11th-ranked Americans' 5-1 loss to Colombia and 14th-ranked Mexico's 4-0 defeat by Uruguay.

During the match, France had the better chances in the first half, but Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau performed admirably when called upon.

Canada began to exert more pressure in the second half, with Jonathan David and substitute Jonathan Osorio creating scoring opportunities.

In stoppage time, France came close to breaking the deadlock.

Randal Kolo Muani missed a header, and Crepeau made a crucial save against Kylian Mbappe in the 96th minute.

Despite some promising buildups, Canada failed to test French goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

France outshot Canada 13-7 and had seven corners to Canada's one.

The game was played in front of a lively crowd at the 42,000-capacity Stade Matmut Atlantique.

The Canadian team will now prepare for Copa America, where they will face No. 32 Peru and No. 42 Chile in Group A after Argentina.

Marsch made only one change to the starting lineup, with Crepeau replacing Dayne St. Clair in goal.

He also rotated the captaincy, giving the armband to Stephen Eustaquio after Alphonso Davies led the team against the Netherlands.

Davies, who combined well with winger Liam Millar, saw Millar rattle a shot off the crossbar in the 47th minute.

Crepeau was tested early, making important saves against N'Golo Kante and Marcus Thuram.

Fullback Richie Laryea, who had played just 11 minutes since injuring his hamstring in February, came on in the 63rd minute, followed by Osorio, Kamal Miller, Kyle Hebert, Jacob Shaffelburg, and Tani Oluwaseyi, who earned his first cap.

France, gearing up for Euro 24, came into the game with just two losses in their last 13 matches.

They were coming off a 3-0 win over Luxembourg, with Mbappe setting up two goals and scoring the third.

Didier Deschamps made four changes to his starting lineup, with Olivier Giroud leading the attack and captaining the side.

Canada's June matches represent their highest-ranked opponents since the 2022 World Cup, when they lost 1-0 to then-second-ranked Belgium.

This match was only Canada's second against France, the first being a 1-0 loss in their debut World Cup match in 1986.