Canada’s Coach Reflects on Elimination: “Missing Half Our Squad, But That’s No Excuse”

Canada’s shock elimination from the 2025 Gold Cup at the hands of Guatemala has left fans and staff reeling. Touted as a semifinal contender, Jesse Marsch’s side fell in a penalty shootout to a disciplined and resilient Guatemalan team.

In the post-match press conference, Marsch was candid: “To be honest, we’re missing half our group,” he said, referencing key absences throughout the tournament. Still, he was quick to clarify, “That’s not an excuse.” The most notable absentee was Alphonso Davies, still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in March—a blow that left a visible gap in Canada’s defensive and attacking transitions.

Marsch had previously praised the commitment of his players, contrasting their dedication with other national teams: “No one called me to say, ‘Coach, it’s been a long year, maybe I’ll skip the Gold Cup.’ Not even close.” After the exit, those remarks now carry a more bitter undertone.

Despite the disappointment, the coach remains optimistic. With Canada set to co-host the 2026 World Cup, Marsch emphasized the importance of learning from this setback. “It’s a lesson. Even talented teams can struggle when key pieces are missing,” he said.

The road ahead is clear: regroup, recover, and build toward 2026—with hopes that a full-strength squad can meet the expectations this version fell short of.