PREVIEW – The Canadian Men’s National Team (CanMNT) will face off once more against Jamaica for the Concacaf Nations League Quarter-Final on Tuesday, this time on home ground. Les Rouges bring a 2-1 advantage back home after Saturday’s victory, as Copa America football hangs in the balance.
Copa America Looms: CanMNT vs Jamaica Predicted Lineups
How CanMNT Have Lined-up Recently
In the interim Head Coach’s first competitive game in charge, Mauro Biello decided to line up in a classic 4-4-2 formation – bucking the trend of 3-5-2 from ex-CanMNT Head Coach John Herdman. Steven Vitoria and Kamal Miller started at the heart of the defense, with Sam Adekugbe lined up at LB behind a marauding Alphonso Davies. Cyle Larin and Jonathan David led the line as the front two, relying on service from the midfield pairing of Ismael Kone and Stephen Eustáquio, as well as right-back Richie Laryea.
It will remain to be seen if Biello sticks with this formation for the upcoming game, especially since they now have both the home and scoreline advantage.
Your #CANMNT Starting XI in this @CNationsLeague Quarter-Final vs. Jamaica 🇨🇦⚔️ pic.twitter.com/p10UVCMvIp
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 18, 2023
Recent Form and Tactics
The CanMNT recovered from their dysmal 4-1 loss to Japan in last month’s friendly by edging past Jamaica 2-1 in Kingston this past Saturday. And while the scoreline reflected a victory, it was all but easy for Biello’s men. The defence was under heavy fire throughout the first half, and had Jamaica been a bit more clinical, it could have been a completely different story going into this Tuesday clash.
READ MORE: Player Profile: Stephen Eustáquio, The Defensive Midfielder
Davies was often tucking into midfield with Adekugbe playing further up in the first half, shaping the team into a more familiar 3-5-2 with Laryea tucking in as the RCB. While it allowed Davies more freedom in the middle, it stunted Laryea’s attacking ability, something that was remedied by Biello in the second half. CanMNT reverted back to their classic 3-5-2, with Laryea pushing up on the right. The recent Vancouver Whitecaps wingback demonstrated why he should’ve been attacking from the beginning, by setting up the winner late in the game for Stephen Eustáquio to score.
GOAL! EUSTÁQUIO WITH THE LATE GOAL! Laryea causing issues down the wing and cuts it back to Eustáquio who buries it home! 🔥 #CANMNT 🇨🇦 2-1 🇯🇲pic.twitter.com/KdgWvosVcQ
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 18, 2023
Injuries to Consider
Biello will have a full-squad after the injury to Lucas Cavallini coming before the first game. Biello was then able to replace Cavallini with Columbus Crew starlet Jacen Russell-Rowe. Russell-Rowe has yet to feature for CanMNT in this series.
Roster Update 🔁#CANMNT forward Jacen Russell-Rowe has been called into camp to replace Lucas Cavallini who will stay with his club to rehab an injury. pic.twitter.com/nx07To0vCG
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 13, 2023
CanMNT Predicted Line-up
GK: Milan Borjan
RCB: Alistair Johnson
CCB: Steven Vitoria
LCB: Kamal Miller
RWB: Richie Laryea
RCM: Stephen Eustáquio
DM: Jonathan Osorio
LCM: Ismael Kone
LWB: Sam Adekugbe
RS: Cyle Larin
LS: Jonathan David
You can watch the CanMNT face-off against Jamaica at BMO Field on Tuesday, November 21st at 7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT, available to watch on OneSoccer.ca and FuboTV.
Photo Credit: Canada Soccer EN Twitter Account and the Canada Soccer FR Twitter Account on November 18, 2023.
