Morocco Defeat Canada in International Friendly Featuring a Number of MLS Players
Canada fell 4-0 in an international friendly against Morocco that featured a number of MLS players for Canada’s National Team.
Canada took on Morocco in an international friendly on Tuesday, October 11th. The match took place at the Grand Stade de Marrakech in Marrakesh, Morocco. Canada’s National Team featured a number of MLS players but their effort wasn’t enough to defeat the home side in this one.
Morocco ended up easily winning the match with a 4-0 victory but it was still a great learning experience for a number of Major league Soccer players who participated in the game. FIFA ranks Canada as the 103rd best team in the world while Morocco come in at 58th. The home team were clearly the favorites and they came out with a convincing win.
Five MLS players started for Canada in Jonathan Osorio, Tosaint Ricketts, Fraser Aird, David Edgar, and Marcel de Jong. Two other MLS players were brought on in Anthony Jackson-Hamel and Marco Bustos. None of these players had a huge impact on the match but Canada’s side were missing one of their best young players in Cyle Larin during these friendlies.
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A number of MLS players were on the roster for Canada such as Anthony Jackson-Hamel of the Montreal Impact, Jordan Hamilton of Toronto FC, Marco Bustos of the Vancouver Whitecaps, Karl Ouimette of the New York Red Bulls, Marcel de Jong of the Vancouver Whitecaps, David Edgar of the Vancouver Whitecaps, Fraser Aird of the Vancouver Whitecaps, Jonathan Osorio of Toronto FC, and Tosaint Ricketts of Toronto FC. This large number of Major League Soccer talents is encouraging for the league and for Canada. No MLS players featured in the Moroccan side.
A number of ex-MLS players also were on Canada’s bench in Simon Thomas who played the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2013, Steven Vitoria who played for the Philadelphia Union in 2015, and Doneil Henry who played for Toronto FC from 2010-2014. The loss for Canada was expected but still disappointing. With so many Major League Soccer players on their team, fans of the league would love to see the country north of the United States of America do better internationally.
Canada may have lost 4-0 but they kept the match close for the most part. After allowing an early goal in the 12′ minute, Morocco were scoreless for the rest of the first half. Their second goal came in the 65′ minute. They did not extend their lead over Canada until late in the game as two of their scores came after the 80′ minute.
After defeating Mauritania 4-0 in their first international friendly during this break, Canada came out on the won end of the 4-0 result against Morocco. Although Canada were unable to make it to the fifth round of World Cup Qualifications, they will be looking to get better and gear up for future tournaments.