The Useful Context
MONTREAL — Canada finished its World Cup preparations with a 1-1 draw against Ireland on Friday night, a result that offered more questions than answers for a side still missing its captain.
Canada opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Ireland defender Jake O'Brien redirected Stephen Eustáquio's corner kick into his own net. The lead held until the 60th minute, when Chiedozie Ogbene slammed home a rebound after Maxime Crépeau saved Troy Parrott's penalty kick.
The numbers are doing most of the announcement work here, which is usually how teams prefer it.
The penalty had been awarded when Cyle Larin, starting for Canada, caught Ireland's Jamie McGrath with a reckless challenge in the box. It was the kind of moment that sums up Canada's tune-up: a player who signed a two-year contract with Southampton earlier in the day and then contributed to the opponent's best chance.
The Detail Still Doing Work
Crépeau finished with two saves, including a sharp stop on Mason Melia in the 85th minute to preserve the draw. He won the starting job over Dayne St. Claire despite missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with a broken leg sustained during the MLS Cup final. The redemption arc is intact.
Canada defeated Uzbekistan 2-0 in Edmonton on Monday, but the roster picture remains unclear. Alphonso Davies did not play and is still recovering from a hamstring injury sustained at Bayern Munich with no timeline for return. Jesse Marsch started Luc de Fougerolles at center back in place of Moïse Bombito, who is returning from a fractured tibia.
The World Cup opens June 12 in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed by a June 18 date in Vancouver against Qatar and a June 24 finale in Toronto against Switzerland. The schedule is set. The squad is not.