Jesse Marsch, CanMNT revisit history in Montréal as they build toward World Cup

The last time Montréal hosted a Canadian men’s national team match in 2017, it felt like the beginning of a new era as a 16-year old phenom by the name of Alponso Davies made his international debut. Canada beat Curaçao 2-1 that June evening, but it’s that feeling of excitement, not the scoreline, which lingers all these years later.

Now, Canada is preparing to again play at Stade Saputo, facing off against Australia this coming Friday. It’s incredible to think just how much the Canadian football landscape has changed in between Davies’ debut and this coming friendly, with the country’s global profile and players hitting heights unimaginable in 2017. 

It’s important to fully give context to Canada’s rise internationally. When the program last played in Montréal, they ranked 120th in the FIFA Men’s World Rankings. Now, they occupy the 26th spot, a high-water mark for both head coach Jesse Marsch and his players who believe — and have shown — they can compete with the world’s best.

Canada’s starting XI from eight years ago alone underlines the immense changes: how many of Milan Borjan, Fraser Aird, Dejan Jakovic, Manjrekar James, Marcel de Jong, Patrice Bernier, Samuel Piette, Will Johnson, Raheem Edwards, Junior Hoilett, and Cyle Larin would get a sniff at Marsch’s starting spots in their prime? It’s not to disparage those who have worn the badge previously but this iteration of Canada Soccer boasts players wearing shirts for the likes of Bayern Munich, Juventus, Celtic, not to mention a dozen other clubs across Europe.

And Montréal is a city that remembers. It’s fitting, in many ways, that the program should return to the place— history filling every corner and café — where Canada’s biggest superstar made his debut, on the eve of hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It feels like Marsch, a man who once haunted these same streets and a certain media room, is starting the final chapter on the squad’s journey towards the tournament that will define his legacy.

Alphonso Davies during his debut in Montreal vs. Curaçao (Photo: Marc-André Donato/Canada Soccer)

But Marsch has his own history, too, something he shared during his press conference to announce this international window’s squad and again this week ahead of the match.

“I’ve got a connection to this city because I was the first (MLS) coach of the Montréal Impact, now CF Montréal,” Marsch told reporters. “I have some friends here still, certainly still have a connection with the Saputo family. There’s still a lot of history and experiences that I enjoyed from my time here.

“I know this is a football town and I think there’s an appreciation for not only the fact that the World Cup is so close but that this team is good. We’re focused. Our focus is always trying to get the maximum out of our potential every time we’re together. We’re just really excited that there’s big energy right now behind the team.”

One of Marsch’s goals upon taking the head coaching job last year was to create a connection between the program and the rest of Canada. He noted, everywhere he went in the country, that people wanted more touchpoints. Camps in Montréal last year and in Halifax this June were part of his plan to connect the country through football. But, he admitted, it’s not the same as playing a friendly match in front of a home crowd.

“We kind of regretted last fall not being here. We just came for training and not for a match. Now, I think we’re being validated by that thought because we’re going to play in front of a sold out stadium at Stade Saputo on Friday night so we’re really excited for that. We’ve got some energy in the street,” said Marsch. “We’re happy to be here.”

Québec, too, has changed since 2017. Football has become the sport of choice in the province, with both boys and girls registrations far surpassing that of hockey. The emergence of Ligue1 Québec has further fostered the sport, with current national team players like Ismaël Koné and Moïse Bombito getting their start at the grassroots level.

Stade Saputo during a CanWNT game in 2023. (Photo: Raphaël Williams-Claudio/Canada Soccer)

Montréal’s infrastructure — be it clubs or facilities — is also just starting to catch up with the talent within their city. The Northern Super League’s Montréal Roses facilitated the construction of Stade Boréale, which in turn allowed for the announcement of FC Supra, the Canadian Premier League first Québec-based club. 

CF Montréal, of course, remains a constant and helped develop CanMNT players like Koné, Joel Waterman, Nathan Saliba and Mathieu Choinière. Starting off this window in familiar territory is a homecoming for many players.

“It means a lot. I’m so happy to play here in Montréal, it’s been a while. I think I was at that game against Curaçao in 2017. It’s just crazy to be here, back with family, the fan base is so great here,” said Choinière when asked about playing at home. “I think we’re here to put on a good show and to play our style.”

It’s also no coincidence that Marsch confirmed Maxime Crépeau — another Québec-born player — will get the start at Stade Saputo with friends and family in attendance.

But time is fickle, and increasingly running thin, as Marsch and his players prepare for the World Cup. Performances matter. Even still, Marsch took time on Thursday to point out just how many things have changed since he was coaching in Montréal.

“I think that all these different moments in Canadian soccer history have laid the groundwork for the opportunity that the players have ahead of them right now, and certainly with the idea of the World Cup, we feel good were at an all-time ranking for FIFA and we’ve made a lot of progress and beaten good teams,” he said.

“My focus is really to make sure that in front of our own crowd, finally, here in Montréal again, and in front of a sold out stadium where the energy, I think, will be really big, that we’re ready to play at our best.”

Marsch re-iterated to his players that their goal is two wins across this window. A strong start, perhaps mirroring their win against Curaçao at Stade Saputo all those years ago, is the first step in fulfilling their goals.