10-man Canada holds on for goalless draw with Ecuador

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A scoreless draw is usually not a cause for celebration. But when you go down a man in the sixth minute and the opponents are number 23 Ecuador, it's a good night's work.

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Canada coach Jesse Marsh saw a lot of interesting things on Thursday.

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“I told the team that this might not be our best win, but it might be our most important game,” he said after the draw. “With intelligence, maturity, smarts and understanding how to handle a good opponent, how to stay focused in a match for over 90 minutes while being defenseless… I'm incredibly positive about this performance.”

The game, which was fronted by a sell-out crowd of 28,740, unfolded early when striker Ali Ahmed was sent off for a reckless challenge.

After the ejection, No. 28 Canada defended strongly as it attempted to counterattack. Ecuador passed and probed but was unable to take advantage.

The Canadians continued their form in a second half that grew more energetic with each passing moment. And even though they were killed, they looked dangerous when they were able to attack.

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The South Americans had scoring chances, but not too many. Marsh led Ecuador with four shots and no shots on target, noting that his team has allowed five shots on target in their last five matches.

On the other hand, Canada have not scored in 319 minutes since Derek Cornelius's 1-0 win over Wales on September 9.

“We have goals. I'm not worried about that,” Marsh said.

The Ecuadorians showed skill and lost very easily. After the game, Marsh sent a message to Ecuadorian striker John Yeboah for dropping theatrically in front of him in the second half.

“Stop being a child. Play the game,” he said.

The competition at BMO Field, where the Canadian men will begin their World Championships on June 12, marked Canada's final home appearance in 2025. Construction crews will take over the site after Saturday's Northern Super League final to continue World Cup renovations.

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A vocal Ecuadorian contingent supported the visitors.

The Canadians will head south to face No. 50 Venezuela on Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., while Ecuador will travel to Harrison, New Jersey to face No. 85 New Zealand.

At the beginning of the match it was 5 degrees, but it felt like 2 degrees.

But the game quickly heated up when Mexican referee Fernando Hernandez showed Ahmed a red card.

Ahmed, attempting to intercept Ecuador goalkeeper Hernán Galindez's clearance, caught Alan Franco's boot under the armpit, with the Ecuadorian making the most of the contact.

It was a clear foul, but did not appear to merit a sending off. Ahmed and Marsh were skeptical.

“I don’t think it’s a red card,” the manager said afterwards.

Hernandez is no stranger to controversy. In April 2023, he was suspended for 12 games for kneeing Leon player Lucas Romero in the groin during a Mexican League match.

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Ecuador arrived unbeaten in their last 13 matches (5-0-8) after losing 1-0 to seventh-place Brazil in World Cup qualifying in September 2024. There were 10 clean sheets in this series.

Ecuador booked its berth at the 2026 World Cup by finishing second – with a record of 8-2-8 – behind Argentina in South American qualifying.

Canada, meanwhile, is coming off a disappointing October international window that included a 1-0 loss to No. 25 Australia and a scoreless draw with No. 13 Columbia in Harrison, New Jersey.

Dane St Clair, who grew up in nearby Pickering, started in goal behind a revamped backline with Alphonso Davies, Moise Bombito and Alistair Johnston out of action, while Cornelius and Kyle Larin remained in camp but picked up knocks.

Kamal Miller made his 50th cap alongside Joel Waterman, Niko Sigur and Richie Larrieu.

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Marsh was able to start his main attack with Jonathan David and Tanya Oluwaseyi. Captain Stephen Estaquio and Ismael Kone occupied the center of midfield, with Ahmed and Tajon Buchanan on the wing.

The Canadian starter entered the game having played a total of 415 matches.

Ecuador was led by midfielder Moises Caicedo, who moved to England's Chelsea from Brighton in August 2023 for a then-British record transfer fee of £115 million ($212.2 million).

Canada came close in the 14th minute in a quick attack that saw the ball move from Miller to Laryea and then to Oluwaseyi in front of goal, only to see Galindez make a fine reflex save to deny Oluwaseyi.

Ecuador's only real chance of the half came in the 29th minute when Valencia fired into the side goal.

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While Ecuador had 79 percent of the ball in the first half, Canada had a 3-1 shot advantage (1-0 in shots on target).

Ecuador's Willian Pacho came close in the 65th minute from a free kick, but his shot went wide. And Valencia scored with a header in the 74th minute.

Meanwhile, Larya continued his fine play in Canadian colours. St. Clair, the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, recorded his 10th shutout for Canada.

Of Marsh's three new internationals, who have two international caps, only Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Owen Goodman was on the bench.

Middlesbrough centre-back Alfie Jones is still awaiting his citizenship oath, while Tigres striker Marcelo Flores, who has already been capped three times for Mexico, is only in camp as a training player.

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