Toronto FC defender Richie Laryea is set to lead Canada onto the pitch this Saturday, earning his 72nd international cap as captain in a friendly match against Guatemala in Los Angeles. The game at BMO Stadium will feature a developmental Canadian squad assembled by head coach Jesse Marsch.
A Developmental Focus with Winning Intent
With the training camp in Irvine, California, scheduled outside a FIFA international window, Marsch selected a roster primarily composed of players currently out of season. All but one player are based in North America. Laryea, who previously captained Canada in their Copa America third-place playoff loss to Uruguay, will helm a mix of experienced veterans and promising young talent.
"I've said it's a developmental game. That's definitely the case," Marsch stated during a media availability in California. "But we're going into this match wanting to win." The official status of the match, including whether it counts as a Tier 1 international, was still being finalized at the time of Marsch's comments.
Preparing for a Combative Guatemalan Side
Marsch anticipates a tough challenge from Guatemala, warning his players about their competitive style. "They've brought a really good team," he said. "We're expecting a very difficult match, a very combative match." He noted that for newer national team players, understanding Guatemala's scrappy and hard-working approach will be a key test.
The two nations last met in the 2025 Gold Cup quarterfinals, where Guatemala prevailed 6-5 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. Canada played most of that match with ten men after Jacob Shaffelburg was sent off. Shaffelburg was initially named to this camp roster but withdrew due to surgery for a degenerative groin condition, replaced by Toronto FC winger Malik Henry.
Final Steps on the Road to the World Cup
This match marks the 27th-ranked Canadian men's team's first action since a 2-0 win over Venezuela on November 18. It represents a crucial part of the final preparations for this summer's FIFA World Cup. Marsch categorized the camp roster into three groups: players who have secured their World Cup spot, those on the bubble, and young talents getting an introduction to the senior team environment.
Veterans present include Toronto's Jonathan Osorio (87 caps), Laryea (71 caps), Portland's Kamal Miller (50 caps), and LAFC's Mathieu Choiniere (21 caps). The camp also features several uncapped players, including CPL standouts like Noah Abatneh of Atletico Ottawa and Tiago Coimbra of Halifax Wanderers. Defender Matteo de Brienne, currently with Sweden's GAIS, is the sole European-based player.
Canada's upcoming schedule is packed:
- Two friendlies in Toronto during the March 23-31 international window (opponents TBA).
- A match against 50th-ranked Uzbekistan on June 1 in Edmonton.
- A final World Cup warm-up on June 5 or 6 in Montreal (opponent TBA).
Canada opens its World Cup campaign in Group B on June 12 against a European qualifier in Toronto, followed by matches against Qatar and Switzerland in Vancouver.
Historically, Canada holds a strong record against Guatemala at 10 wins, 2 losses, and 3 draws. The two Guatemalan victories came in World Cup qualifying matches in 1998 and 2004.
