A win, a couple of goals scored and here it is – the end of the 2025 calendar year for the Canadian men's team.
While Tuesday's victory over Venezuela in front of virtually no one at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was hardly a feast for the eyes, it did represent an element of significance: the first goals scored in four matches and another clean sheet – that is, three goals in a row and an impressive three goals against in the last 11 matches.
Overall, 2025 was a year of overall progress under Jesse Marsh's leadership, despite some disappointment. Don't forget that this year was supposed to be Canada's first silver lift in a quarter century. Third place in the Nations League was indeed the result of a victory over the United States, which certainly brought with it some bragging rights. However, Guatemala's disappointing exit from the Gold Cup quarter-finals on penalties created an atmosphere of suspicion among fans.
Fortunately, after an undermanned Canada enjoyed a stellar run in the summer with two European wins against Romania and Wales, the mood changed again heading into the autumn window when goals were hard to come by but resolute defending was beginning to forge an identity. At the same time, Alphonso Davies, Moise Bombito and Alistair Johnston experienced long breaks due to serious injuries. Canada looked impressive from behind to say the least.
So where are we now? After 14 matches, did we get answers to the questions we asked ourselves in January? Will the picture become clearer ahead of next year and the 2026 World Cup?
• The original question was: who will Jonathan David partner with? Losing was still Kyle Larin's goal at the start of the year, but the Feyenoord man seems to have already done it. Marsh has publicly stated that he now likes Villarreal's Tany Oluwasheyi as a number 9. Although, while he has shown great utility off the ball in recent matches, his lack of finishing touch suggests the job is still wide open.
David's form also continues to be a concern. He was still playing against Lille in France in January. A summer move to Juventus in Italy, however, did not go well, and this affected his play for Canada. One goal in the last 18 matches for club and country is a terrible statistic. David will certainly regain his form, but the attack is murkier now than it was in 2025.
• On the left side, it was the rollercoaster of the year. Davies tore his cruciate ligament in the Nations League and is yet to return, although he trained with Bayern Munich this week. He was replaced at fullback by Toronto's Richie Larrieu, and to say he has been a revelation may be unfair to Larrieu, but he has arguably been the team's best player since taking the left-back jersey.
Ahead of him and also in contention for the title is Vancouver's Ali Ahmed, who until his red card last week against Ecuador appeared to be in possession of the left-winger's jersey. In addition to his tenacity on and off the ball, Ahmed has become Canada's most reliable player on set pieces and has stolen the jersey from Jacob Schaffelburg since receiving his red card in the Gold Cup quarter-finals.
So what does this mean? Is Laria too good to pass up, even for superstar Davis? Should Davies play in midfield now, and if so, what about Ahmed? Or Liam Millar, who has also just returned from an anterior cruciate ligament injury? And again it's clear as mud.
• Center back? Bombito's broken leg will sideline him until March, a devastating blow to Canada's best centre-back, but in his absence this year youngster Luc de Fougerolles has emerged as a great partner for Derek Cornelius. Meanwhile, Joel Waterman has been excellent, Kamal Miller has shown consistency and new signing Middlesbrough's Alfie Jones, who made his debut against Venezuela, appears to have all the tools and experience to challenge for a starting position. Of course, the centre-back suddenly finds himself in an area of real confusion, but it is also an area of great depth and strength. It's a good problem to have, assuming Bombito returns to action for Nice this spring.
• What about the gate? A year has passed and we are still told that both Dane St. Clair and Max Crepeau are vying for the gloves. Although there is a feeling that St. Clair has the advantage, having played in tougher games this year and being named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year for Minnesota, while Crepeau was a bench player at Portland and is looking for a new club.
Both goalies played well for Canada; The team is in good form between posts, but it's fair to say the picture isn't much clearer now than it was 11 months ago. In fact, with Huddersfield Town's 21-year-old Owen Goodman unexpectedly called up and eligible for election in recent weeks, there is a possibility, albeit unlikely, that the picture will become even more confusing by June.
• In January, central midfield was a good place for discussion. Who will partner with Stefan Estaquio? At that time, Ismael Koné's nightmare in Marseille was coming to an end, and if it wasn't him, then who? Both Mathieu Choiniere and Nathan Saliba have excelled over the past year, both enjoying moves to new clubs and knocking on doors… which is still happening.
Despite some drama when Kone appeared to lash out at his head coach against Romania after being substituted, he was one of the stories of the year – for positive reasons. He was fantastic at Sassuolo in Italy and his swagger returned to the national team, starting both November friendlies alongside Estakio.
And who played the role of peacemaker after Ahmed's match against Ecuador? That's right: Kone, who seems to have heeded calls for him to grow up. Eustaquio may be struggling for a few minutes now for Porto, but the central midfielder, as well as right winger Tajon Buchanan, appears to be relatively clean after all those matches in 2025.
Everywhere else? Not so much. That's no cause for concern, the talent is deeper than we've ever seen on this team and it makes for a highly competitive playing field that every coach would dream of.
Canada has four more games before the games get really important next summer, and there are more questions than answers than last year.
Be happy, that's how it should be.
