Shaffelburg leads way as Canada exits window with new questions in goal

Coming off a historic run to the Round of 16 at this summer’s FIFA World Cup, the Canadian men’s national team returned to action with a busy international window that produced two wins and one defeat. Canada recorded back-to-back clean sheets against Chile in Toronto and Peru in Montreal before falling 1–0 to the United States in St. Paul, Minn., on Tuesday.

The three-match stretch gave Jesse Marsch’s squad momentum heading into next month’s home-and-away playoff with Guatemala for a spot at the 2027 Concacaf Nations League Finals. Still, the coach made it clear he felt there was room for growth, noting that while the overall level was solid, his side still lacked full conviction, personality and control in key moments.

Shaffelburg emerges as Canada’s key attacking spark

Several players boosted their stock, but no one more than Jacob Shaffelburg. The Nova Scotia–born winger started all three games and delivered a standout performance against Chile, scoring twice to move to eight international goals. Across the window, Canada’s most dangerous attacking sequences frequently flowed through him.

Shaffelburg had come off the bench in all five of Canada’s World Cup matches, but his work this month strengthened his case as a regular starter. On the opposite wing, Liam Millar proved an ideal partner, assisting on both of Shaffelburg’s goals against Chile and giving Canada a threat on both flanks. Behind them, centre back Luc de Fougerolles built on his World Cup breakthrough with three assured displays, Nathan Saliba held firm in central midfield, and Niko Sigur impressed at right back while deputizing for the injured Alistair Johnston.

Finishing issues linger as young core grows

Despite the positive results, Canada’s finishing remains a concern. Against the U.S., Marsch’s side created promising situations but rarely made them count. Tani Oluwaseyi had one clear sight of goal he could not take advantage of, while all-time leading scorer Jonathan David struggled to find dangerous positions. Set pieces offered little joy beyond a volley from de Fougerolles that rattled the crossbar, and Promise David headed wide from an inviting near-post delivery by substitute Daniel Jebbison.

The same theme was present, to a lesser extent, in the wins over Chile and Peru, where Canada could have produced more comfortable scorelines with sharper finishing. Marsch acknowledged that his team must do more with turnovers and transition moments to turn solid play into clear chances and goals.

At the same time, the coach continued to broaden his player pool. Five newcomers earned their first senior caps: goalkeeper Owen Goodman, defenders Richard Chukwu and Jovan Ivanišević, fullback Luca Petrasso and midfielder Justin Smith. Ralph Priso, Jamie Knight-Lebel, Jacen Russell-Rowe and Jebbison also logged valuable minutes, with Chukwu particularly composed in his first start against Peru and Jebbison registering his first assist for Canada.

Crépeau’s absence reopens the No. 1 goalkeeper race

The goalkeeping picture, seemingly settled when Maxime Crépeau won the World Cup job over Dayne St. Clair, now looks less clear-cut. Crépeau missed this window following the recent death of his father, allowing St. Clair to start against Chile and the U.S., while Goodman was handed his debut in the win over Peru.

Both goalkeepers made the most of their opportunities. Goodman did not face a shot on target but showed authority in managing his penalty area and distributing the ball. Born in England, he completed his Canadian citizenship last year and came through Crystal Palace’s academy before signing with the first team in 2021; he is currently on loan at Dundee F.C. in Scotland.

Marsch has publicly maintained that Crépeau remains his preferred option but has also framed the role as open to competition, saying that St. Clair is "still competing for that spot" along with Goodman. If Goodman continues to earn steady minutes at club level, Canada could soon have a genuine three-way battle for the starting job as it approaches the Nations League playoff and the next phase of World Cup qualifying.