An American is headed to the Copa America semifinals, but he’s not playing for the U.S. men’s national team. He’s coaching Canada.
In what was one of the most memorable matches of the tournament so far, Canada and Venezuela battled for 90 minutes and a penalty shootout for the privilege of qualifying for the Copa America. In the end, it was Jesse Marsch’s Canadian team that came out on top.
Canada struck first with a first-half goal from “Maritime Messi” Jacob Shaffelburg, but veteran Venezuela captain Salomón Rondón took advantage of goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau outside the box and scored from long range to equalize in the 64th minute.
The two teams traded shots throughout the match, which led to a shootout where Canada emerged victorious thanks to a late goal by Ismael Koné. The prize? A trip to New Jersey on Tuesday for a semifinal rematch against defending champion Argentina, which appeared to falter in its own shootout victory.
Josh Kloke, Melanie Anzidei and Jeff Rueter explain how it happened.
How did Canada win?
An early goal for Canada. A long-range lob for Venezuela to equalize. A fierce battle for 90 minutes. A laser. And a calm, serene and collected end to the match.
The Canadian national team showed something that is all too familiar in North America on Friday: grit. It’s an intangible quality historically found in players on the U.S. men’s national team. But with the Americans eliminated from the tournament in the group stage, it was Canada that filled the void.
Canada beats Venezuela on penalties to reach Copa America semi-finals (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
In nature, few things are as dazzling as perfect symmetry. Unfortunately, few things in the sport of football are less natural than a penalty shootout. A match whose outcome often hinges on moments of transition turns into a series of independent events.
Despite this, Venezuela and Canada treated us to a strangely symmetrical penalty shootout. Each team’s first shooter got his shot off. Their second team both missed. The third shooter was on target again, before the fourth was unlucky to have his attempts on target saved by the keeper. When the fifth shooters found the top corner, it was a balance that even Wes Anderson would have admired.
Of course, all bets are off when players who aren’t among a team’s first five picks are forced onto the field. Both teams opted for a late substitute to take their sixth option — a rare opportunity for each coach to have a direct impact on the game in progress. With Wilker Angel’s shot saved by a redeemed Crépeau, Ismaël Koné scored the winning goal to send Canada into the Copa América semifinals.
Just a few months ago, Canada seemed in danger of losing all the momentum it had built up during this magical 2022 World Cup cycle. The team was without a head coach and players were frustrated by the stagnation. Today, Marsch points to not only the dogged determination that characterized the John Herdman era, but also more consistent chance creation and a more defined team configuration that could, over time, create a more reliable threat to the competition.
Jeff Rueter
Who stood out for Canada?
As expected, the man who would score the most for Canada was on the left flank. It just wasn’t Alphonso Davies.
Marsch has chosen to deploy the 23-year-old at left back, the same role he has played for years since joining Bayern Munich. That not only takes the pressure off Davies, it also allows the program’s best players (i.e., the wing-forwards) to be integrated into the lineup to provide a more proactive approach.
Shaffelburg’s career hasn’t been easy. The one affectionately known as the “Maritime Messi” grew up in Nova Scotia and then in the Toronto FC academy. While most clubs would appreciate a homegrown attacking option and want to keep him, Toronto’s commitment to spending heavily on attacking roles has made Shaffelburg redundant – traded within the MLS Eastern Conference to Nashville SC.
A run of form with a struggling Nashville side earned him a spot on the roster for this tournament. So did a crucial goal in the Copa America qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago, suggesting a player known for his dynamism had a knack for finishing in big games. It came in handy again Friday, as Shaffelburg was the only Canadian to capitalize on a flurry of opportunities in the first half.
Shaffelburg plays in an ideal position for Marsch’s nascent system. The right-sided defenders will always fear Davies’ involvement more than Shaffelburg’s, while the backline’s mainstays will stay central to neutralise Jonathan David and Cyle Larin rather than focus on cutting the mullet in the half-space. A cool first-touch finish was a fitting reward for one of North America’s most industrious players.
Jeff Rueter
How did Venezuela find the equalizer?
Venezuela entered the second half knowing they had to be more aggressive in attack if they were to have any chance of beating a strong Canadian team known for its defense. Yeferson Soteldo and José Martinez dominated Venezuela’s flanks, constantly penetrating the Canadian defense, and the pressure intensified.
But it was Venezuelan captain Rondón who gave his team the relief they sorely needed in the 64th minute. With Crépeau off his line, Rondón capitalized on a long clearance and floated the ball over the goalkeeper’s head from long range before it bounced into the back of an open net, bringing the mostly Venezuelan crowd to their feet. The stadium roared. La Vinotinto was back in this game, and its historic streak continued.
Rondón equalizes for Venezuela (Omar Vega/Getty Images)
Venezuela kept up the pace, dominating their attacking third, but like the rest of the game, it was a battle of equals between two countries that had everything to prove. As the clock ticked down, a frantic Fernando Batista directed his players while Canada gradually regained their composure.
La Vinotinto’s fairy tale is coming to an end as their dreams of winning their first Copa America title come to a sudden halt. The nation’s run in the tournament is nothing short of historic, bringing joy to a nation that has suffered so much in recent years.
GO FURTHER
Baseball is Venezuela’s national sport, but the 2024 Copa America shows why that could change
Venezuela and Ecuador remain the only two CONMEBOL nations yet to win the South American grand prix. For a nation not known for its football, this is a promising step for a nation that will now be looking to secure World Cup qualification for the first time.
Melanie Anzidei
What happened to Tajon Buchanan and how did Canada honor him?
During a practice session Tuesday, Canada suffered the kind of blow that would have derailed many teams: star winger Tajon Buchanan, Canada’s top player at the 2022 World Cup and a new signing from Inter Milan, fractured his tibia. Canada cancelled the practice after the incident while Buchanan was taken to hospital.
When the extent of the injury was revealed and it became clear that Buchanan would not only miss the remainder of the tournament, but four to six months, Canada’s mood changed. Instead of feeling sorry for themselves, the Canadian team clearly rallied around their teammate.
Jacob Shaffelburg celebrates his team’s first goal, honoring Tajon Buchanan (Charly Triballeau/Getty Images)
They visited him in the hospital after his surgery. They gathered outside the team hotel to greet him back with applause. And when Shaffelburg scored Canada’s first goal, the soccer world learned just how much he resonated with the team. Shaffelburg ran to the Canada bench and held up a Buchanan jersey for the 51,080 in attendance to see.
There was some question about how Canada would fare without one of its best offensive players in Buchanan. But the intangible emotions of his loss seem to be motivating them.
Josh Kloke
What does this result mean for Canada?
For years, this Canadian team held promise. Its players were young but incredibly talented. They played in Europe and looked capable of shining outside the region. World Cup qualifying victories over Mexico and the United States gave hope, but in every crucial match of the tournament, round of 16 or group stage, Canada faltered. They never learned to manage the moment.
But facing a largely pro-Venezuela crowd and a team that won its own group, Canada now has a decisive victory.
By winning a knockout match in a major tournament, this core is able to consider itself a top team. They were able to manage their emotions, control the game defensively and show their quality when it mattered. Even if Venezuela failed to make the most of its chances, Canada did not let itself be defeated either.
With this victory, Canada has simply become the kind of team he has long aspired to be.
Josh Kloke
What’s next for Canada?
Argentina vs. Canada, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. Tuesday, July 9, 8 p.m. ET.
recommended reading
(Top photo: Getty Images)
