Canada men’s national team names squad for Japan friendly: Evaluating Mauro Biello’s selections

Canada men’s national team interim coach Mauro Biello named his first squad since taking over from John Herdman on Aug. 28. Here’s what you need to know:

Canada will play Japan in a friendly in Niigata on Oct. 13.
The match will be Canada’s lone game during the upcoming October international window and their last game before crucial Copa America qualifiers in November.
Biello previously told The Athletic he wanted to maintain continuity within the squad and that the same high-profile players who got Canada to the 2022 World Cup will play against Japan. As such, there aren’t plenty of surprises in the squad.

Full Canada squad

Goalkeepers

Milan Borjan
Maxime Crépeau
Dayne St. Clair

Defenders

Moïse Bombito
Derek Cornelius
Steven Vitória
Kamal Miller
Luc de Fougerolles
Alistair Johnston
Samuel Adekugbe
Richie Laryea
Alphonso Davies

Midfielders

Mathieu Choinière
Stephen Eustáquio
Ismaël Koné
Jonathan Osorio
Harry Paton
Samuel Piette

Forwards

David Junior Hoilett
Liam Millar
Charles-Andreas Brym
Jonathan David
Cyle Larin

Davies as a defender

Davies spent the 2022 World Cup playing multiple positions, including as a forward, wingback and defender. The Athletic previously reported this continued movement caused friction between Herdman and Davies, one of the world’s best left backs.

Despite Davies’ pace and comfort moving forward in attack, Biello’s plan for the Canadian star revolves around the 22-year-old staying in one position: left back.

It can be read as an intriguing decision given Davies’ quality and how he can change a game with his dribbling closer to goal. Davies already has three assists in six Bundesliga matches for Bayern Munich this season after logging just four assists in 26 Bundesliga matches last season.

But Biello is intent on not moving Davies around any longer.

“(Davies) is one of the best left backs and left-sided players in the world. For me, that’s important to continue to bring that continuity with him in the national. We’re looking to play him in a position he’s comfortable and where he sees things every week at his club,” Biello said.

Of note, Biello said it’s likely Canada “adjusts tactically” to maximize Davies’ role and potential on the left side of the pitch.

One possibility could see Canada playing in a 4-3-3 formation with Davies as a true left back.

Luc de Fougerolles gets his first call-up

The most notable name on the squad is 17-year-old fullback de Fougerolles from Fulham’s under-18 team. This is de Fougerolles’ first call-up into the Canadian squad.

He signed his first professional contract with Fulham in April and made appearances in their senior team during their recent summer tour. De Fougerolles is a versatile player who can also play centre-back and midfield, and can push forward and progress the ball with confidence.

Centre-back is a position Canada lacks depth in, and the addition of de Fougerolles is a step towards improving that depth.

De Fougerolles is eligible to represent England but with a Canadian-born father, is also eligible to represent Canada. He was previously called into Canada’s under-20 team but could not attend as he was taking exams at the time.

That he accepted a call-up into the Canadian squad this early in his career suggests he should be interested in representing Canada long-term. He’ll turn 18 a day before the match against Japan.

Herdman did well to convince dual nationals to join the Canadian squad, and Biello looks to have picked up where his predecessor did.

“For me, part of this selection is also a long-term approach. But at the same time, it’s bringing someone of his ability and his ceiling into the environment and to see how he is able to compete in this environment,” Biello said.

Tough travel

While the United States is hosting Germany and Ghana in friendlies during the October window, financial constraints have led to Canada being able to play just one match.

“For this trip, getting players in with the travel has been tricky in terms of preparation,” Biello said.

Yet it’s likely not Canada Soccer’s ongoing financial constraints which may end up impeding Canada’s camp, but instead the heavy travel required to fly players and staff from North America and Europe to Japan.

Biello said the majority of Canadian players would arrive in Japan on Tuesday, Oct. 10th, with a light training session to follow that day.

“I have Wednesday and Thursday to prepare the squad for the game. It’s not the traditional prep in terms of the travel. (Canada Soccer) has done everything they can to put us in the best conditions here to have proper prep. Going into November we’ll have the standard prep we’ve had in the best, when players will fly in and we’ll have three days of prep before the first game,” Biello said.

Buchanan injured

The most notable omission from the squad is Tajon Buchanan. The speedy, creative left wingback would be a likely starter for Canada. But suffered a hamstring injury for Club Brugge in September will keep him out for multiple weeks, including Canada’s match against Japan.

Biello auditioning

Biello has not shied away from the fact that he wants to be Canada’s next full-time coach. The next coach will be appointed by Canada Soccer’s next general secretary, who is expected to be hired by the end of 2023.

Getting a result against a strong Japanese team and then qualifying for the 2024 Copa America via matches in November would certainly make Biello a name to consider.

“This is an audition for me,” Biello said. “I’m lucky enough to have been given this opportunity.”

Biello acknowledged that there were previously questions about how ready he was to take over an MLS team when he was named interim Montreal Impact coach in 2015.

“Being next to (Herdman) for five years I was able to observe and absorb a lot of things,” Biello said. “Now for me, it’s important to pull out those things that I learned and to adjust them to my way of thinking and my way of working. And hopefully, this audition goes well for me and the team and for this nation.”

Required reading

(Photo: Louis Grasse / Getty Images)