Canada Battles to 0-0 Draw with Colombia in New Jersey
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By Kaus Pandey
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Summary:
- Canada held 13th-ranked Colombia to a goalless draw on Tuesday evening.
- Tajon Buchanan and Stephen Eustaquio led a strong performance, while Dayne St. Clair earned his ninth international clean sheet.
- Despite the positive result, Marsch is looking for sharper attacks.
Canada showed grit and composure on Tuesday night, battling to a 0-0 draw with 13th-ranked Colombia in a lively soccer friendly at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey.
The 26th-ranked Canadians went toe-to-toe with one of the top teams in South America, and Stephen Eustaquio and Tajon Buchanan led the charge. However, while everyone could see how far Canada has come at the end of the evening, coach Jesse Marsch still wants more from his side.
I think it was a good performance, not a great performance … I felt like most of the game we were in fourth or fifth gear and we could have really pushed ourselves into sixth gear. We are the type of team that can play in these games, be better in these games and win these games.
Neither team created much in the way of clear chances until late in the game. Colombia edged Canada 6-4 in shots, but both sides managed just one on target. The contest was physical, with 38 fouls called, 23 in the first half alone, keeping referee Guido Gonzales Jr. busy throughout the night.
The match came just four days after Canada’s 1-0 loss to Australia in Montreal, where a defensive mistake proved costly. Niko Sigur, who was at fault for the goal against the Socceroos, responded with a solid performance against Colombia.
The Future Looks Bright
Despite going scoreless in two straight matches, Marsch focused on the positives.
I’m happy with the progress. And I just want to keep seeing them reward themselves with a little bit more quality in important moments
Buchanan produced Canada’s best chance in the 28th minute, firing a dipping shot from distance that forced a diving save from Colombian goalkeeper Álvaro Montero.
In the second half, Luis Díaz came close to scoring for Colombia in the 57th minute, sending his shot just wide of the post. Jonathan David thought he had put Canada ahead in the 76th, but the flag went up for offside against Jacob Shaffelburg, and there was no video review.
Colombia turned up the pressure in the closing minutes. Rafael Santos Borré’s header narrowly missed in the 88th, and Richie Laryea made a key stoppage-time tackle before a Colombian shot clipped the post. Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair finished with a clean sheet, his ninth in 18 international appearances.
Canada now shifts focus to two more International friendlies against Ecuador in Toronto on November 13 and Venezuela in Florida on November 18, rounding out a promising 2025 campaign under Marsch.
