\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 No. 30 CanMNT<\/h2>\n\nThe GIST: <\/strong>As mentioned, Canada\u2019s men\u2019s team has never won a WC game, but this could be the year everything changes. The odds were stacked against CanMNT in 2022, where they lost all three group-stage games, including two Ls to eventual semifinalists, Morocco and Croatia.<\/p>\n\n- Not only is Canada in an easier group this time around \u2014 they could outright win <\/em>Group B. Manifest era, loading.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\ud83d\udccb So, how is CanMNT looking?: <\/strong>Les Rouges<\/em> played two friendlies after confirming their WC roster, recording a 2\u20130 win over No. 50 Uzbekistan and a 1\u20131 draw with No. 58 Republic of Ireland. The boys are settling into head coach Jesse Marsch\u2019s aggressive pace and corresponding team culture<\/a>, though scoring in open play (aka, not off a corner kick or set piece) remains a weak spot.<\/p>\n\ud83d\ude13 Unfortunately, we need to talk about the injury elephant in the room:<\/strong> Superstar defender Alphonso Davies, the best Canadian men\u2019s soccer player of all time who scored the country\u2019s first WC goal<\/a> in 2022, is still dealing with a hamstring issue and will not take the pitch today<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n- He\u2019s sadly not alone in dealing with injuries: Defender Moise Bombito<\/a> is managing soreness on a previously-broken leg, while winger Jayson Nelson<\/a> was just named to the team on Tuesday to replace injured Marcelo Flores. The tide is high, but we\u2019re holding on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\ud83d\udc40 Good thing soccer is a team sport \u2014 here are three CanMNT players we\u2019re counting on:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- \ud83d\udd34 Jonathan David | Striker:<\/strong> Canada\u2019s all-time men\u2019s leading scorer (39 goals) will need to be ultra-clutch<\/a> in Davies\u2019 absence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- \u26aa Isma\u00ebl Kon\u00e9 | Midfielder:<\/strong> Remember the name<\/a>: Kon\u00e9 is our pick for CanMNT\u2019s breakout star of the tourney, so long as his clinical finish is on display.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- \u26ab Maxime Cr\u00e9peau | Goalkeeper:<\/strong> It\u2019s no surprise the veteran keeper earned the starting spot \u2014 he\u2019s downright fearless<\/a> and a phenomenal shot-stopper.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\udde6 No. 64 Bosnia and Herzegovina<\/h2>\n![\"It\u2019s](\"https:\/\/cdn.sanity.io\/images\/rdxk7lfa\/production\/76e42a50e530ccc38511f3e43304153f2df5c387-2048x1254.png?rect=0,1,2048,1253&w=600&h=367&q=75&fit=max&auto=format\")
<\/p>\nSource: Matteo Ciambello\/Reuters<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nThe GIST: <\/strong>Bosnia and Herzegovina shocked the world<\/a> in March, nabbing one of the final WC spots by defeating then\u2013No. 13 Italy, a legendary soccer nation that boasts four WC titles but hasn\u2019t qualified for the tourney since 2014.<\/p>\n\ud83d\udccb Here\u2019s what you need to know about Bosnia and Herzegovina: <\/strong>Much like Canada, the Dragons have never made it out of the group stage at a WC \u2014 in fact, this is only their second appearance after their debut in 2014<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n- Bosnia and Herzegovina also boast the strange distinction of being the only team in the world to qualify for a WC, but not for their continent\u2019s championship: They\u2019ve never competed in the Euros.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\ud83d\udc40 That said, here are three players who could give CanMNT some trouble:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- \ud83d\udd35 Edin D\u017eeko | Striker: <\/strong>As one of two players left from the 2014 squad, 40-year-old D\u017eeko may be injured<\/a>, but will be counted on to lead, especially since he\u2019s still scoring bangers<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- \u26aa Kerim Alajbegovi\u0107 | Winger: <\/strong>Young, scrappy, and hungry, 18-year-old Alajbegovi\u0107 is Bosnia and Herzegovina\u2019s future, armed with impressive creativity and poise.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- \ud83d\udfe1 Tarik Muharemovi\u0107 | Center back: <\/strong>Someone has to hold down the back line and 6-foot-4 Muharemovi\u0107 is that guy, playing deep and sweeping away adversaries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
\ud83d\udd11 CanMNT\u2019s keys to success<\/h2>\n![\"It\u2019s](\"data:image\/png;base64,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\")
![\"It\u2019s](\"https:\/\/cdn.sanity.io\/images\/rdxk7lfa\/production\/e5b9644bb054458c861a7afa31e8b8a9bd4b31aa-2048x1151.png?rect=0,1,2048,1150&w=600&h=337&q=75&fit=max&auto=format\")
<\/p>\nSource: Canadian Press<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\u2b06\ufe0f Canada plays with a high press,<\/strong> meaning Les Rouges <\/em>prefer to apply pressure in their opponent\u2019s defensive third, forcing their competition to make mistakes as close to their own goal as possible.<\/p>\n\n- Ideally, CanMNT will push the ball forward down the sidelines, where players like winger Tajon Buchanan thrive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- Bosnia and Herzegovina employ a similar style of play, pushing up through the sides of the field to cross balls into the box. TL;DR? Both teams will be spreading the pitch today.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\ud83c\udf89 In order to succeed,<\/strong> Canada can\u2019t solely rely on dead ball plays, like corners, penalties, or free kicks. Goals need to be scored in transition, like Davies\u2019 glorious golazo<\/em><\/a> four years ago. It\u2019s go time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The GIST: <\/strong>As mentioned, Canada\u2019s men\u2019s team has never won a WC game, but this could be the year everything changes. The odds were stacked against CanMNT in 2022, where they lost all three group-stage games, including two Ls to eventual semifinalists, Morocco and Croatia.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udccb So, how is CanMNT looking?: <\/strong>Les Rouges<\/em> played two friendlies after confirming their WC roster, recording a 2\u20130 win over No. 50 Uzbekistan and a 1\u20131 draw with No. 58 Republic of Ireland. The boys are settling into head coach Jesse Marsch\u2019s aggressive pace and corresponding team culture<\/a>, though scoring in open play (aka, not off a corner kick or set piece) remains a weak spot.<\/p>\n \ud83d\ude13 Unfortunately, we need to talk about the injury elephant in the room:<\/strong> Superstar defender Alphonso Davies, the best Canadian men\u2019s soccer player of all time who scored the country\u2019s first WC goal<\/a> in 2022, is still dealing with a hamstring issue and will not take the pitch today<\/a>.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc40 Good thing soccer is a team sport \u2014 here are three CanMNT players we\u2019re counting on:<\/strong><\/p>\n Source: Matteo Ciambello\/Reuters<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The GIST: <\/strong>Bosnia and Herzegovina shocked the world<\/a> in March, nabbing one of the final WC spots by defeating then\u2013No. 13 Italy, a legendary soccer nation that boasts four WC titles but hasn\u2019t qualified for the tourney since 2014.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udccb Here\u2019s what you need to know about Bosnia and Herzegovina: <\/strong>Much like Canada, the Dragons have never made it out of the group stage at a WC \u2014 in fact, this is only their second appearance after their debut in 2014<\/a>.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc40 That said, here are three players who could give CanMNT some trouble:<\/strong><\/p>\n Source: Canadian Press<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2b06\ufe0f Canada plays with a high press,<\/strong> meaning Les Rouges <\/em>prefer to apply pressure in their opponent\u2019s defensive third, forcing their competition to make mistakes as close to their own goal as possible.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udf89 In order to succeed,<\/strong> Canada can\u2019t solely rely on dead ball plays, like corners, penalties, or free kicks. Goals need to be scored in transition, like Davies\u2019 glorious golazo<\/em><\/a> four years ago. It\u2019s go time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\udde6 No. 64 Bosnia and Herzegovina<\/h2>\n
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\ud83d\udd11 CanMNT\u2019s keys to success<\/h2>\n
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