Marsch urges Canada to be 'cleaner' despite win over Chile
Canada returned to action after the World Cup with a 1-0 win over nine-man Chile, but Jesse Marsch wanted greater precision from a side that could not turn its dominance into a more convincing scoreline.
Jonathan David scored the winner in the 12th minute of the friendly at BMO Field. Jacob Schaffelburg’s cross found Cyle Larin, whose shot was saved before the ball rebounded off him to David for a composed tap-in.
Chile were reduced to 10 men in the 35th minute when Lucas Cepeda received a straight red card for a high boot on Richie Laryea. Gabriel Suazo followed five minutes after the break, collecting a second booking for a late foul on Niko Sigur after his first caution for dissent.
Canada pressed to exploit that advantage, recording 16 of their 22 shots after half-time. Yet despite finishing with 2.6 expected goals (xG), they could not find a second goal.
For Marsch, the performance around goal left room for improvement as Canada look to build on their round-of-16 exit from the World Cup.
“Chile makes it hard,” he said. “I don’t think [our] second half was very good.”
“Chile remained aggressive even down two men. The way to make them pay was to be cleaner with the ball and cleaner with ideas and actions around the goal.”
“We were too wild, not enough shots on frame, not enough final actions with good connections,” Marsch added.
Canada also struck the woodwork twice, with Laryea and Jamie Knight-Lebel going close in the final six minutes of the 90.
Larin was a constant threat, producing a game-high four shots and taking 12 touches in the opposition box. He had two big chances and won two of his four aerial duels.
“Every game we play is a must-win,” Larin said.
“You don’t come here to play and just to draw or get a result.”
