With less than three days, the World Cup is around the corner, and the excitement is in the air. Friendly matches are over for some countries, and injuries are becoming a major problem.
Canada is suffering the most, with its star defender out of the tournament, and many names are being touted to replace him, as Portland Timbers center-back Kamal Miller in on that list.
Also, the official “X” account of the Canadian national team said that the player who will replace Marcelo Flores, the other injured player, is an MLS prospect.
Jayden Nelson earns late World Cup call-up.
Jayden Nelson will be part of the 26-man roster of the CanMNT after Marcelo Flores tore his ACL. Nelson featured in a match against Uzbekistan, where he scored the team’s second goal and delivered an outstanding performance.
After the encounter, Jesse Marsch, Canada’s manager, said:
“I think Jayden (Nelson) played very well against Uzbekistan, and certainly made a good case for himself... but we'll probably decide this game."
By saying this, Marsch was giving Nelson a foot and a half inside the roster as Flores’ replacement. The Austin FC prospect has been a regular contributor in the team’s recent matches, but in the most recent run, Flores was slightly ahead of the 23-year-old left winger.
The Canadian soccer national men's team has two days before their World Cup debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In the current season, Jayden Nelson played 11 games for Austin FC, scoring 2 goals and no assists. The former Vancouver Whitecaps signed with the Texas club in December, 2025.
As one of the three hosts, Canada will have to bring their best game to Group B, a group that could see the Canadians into the next round if they play their cards.
And for that to happen, Marsh thinks Jayden Nelson could be the key to replacing Flores and achieving that goal.
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