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Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 1d

Yeah I feel like we might not see that for a while, only problem with Promise is that while he’s dangerous he can sometimes be very static and not as lively up front. Sometimes he deals with that at USG, too. He’s a great supersub for Canada, but he’ll need a tad more of above to start

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Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 1d

I think it’s all about recognizing his role. For example last weekend he comes off the bench for Feyenoord and assists the winner - that could be a role that works for Canada. Come in against tired legs and make an impact. But as a starter it’s just not working for him

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Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 1d

It depends on the game. He’s had some fantastic matches playing deeper, especially if the game is stretched or if there’s space between the lines

Against an Australia side with a 5-4-1… that’s where you’re bang on - you want David closer to goal, either on his own or with a clearer target #9

Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 1d

If the Caps were to have a most improved player award, I’d have to think it’s him, (although Berhalter has a big shout, too😂)

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Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 1d

I get using wins because it incentivizes teams to not play for draws, and the schedule is so unbalanced that h2h doesn’t work, but it makes for an anticlimactic ending next weekend despite the Caps being able to tie the Union

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Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 1d

They were dominant all game! Didn’t get down after the goal, and just kept at it

Having Ryan Gauld as a supersub also isn’t bad, either, he really changed the game when he came on, involved in both goals

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Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 1d

From a Canadian perspective, Ralph Priso was fantastic tonight:

57/64 passing (89%)
2/2 dribbles
15 passes to final third
3/8 long balls
3 tackles
6 recoveries
6/9 duels won

#CanMNT

Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 1d

The old #VWFC probably loses after this decision (how was this not a goal, and how is there still no GLT in MLS??), but now the new VWFC has Thomas Müller so they get a 90+7’ winner from him instead

They now still control their destiny in the race to win the West

Ben Wright @benwright.bsky.social · 1d

... this is a goal.

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Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 1d

The old #VWFC probably loses after this decision (how was this not a goal, and how is there still no GLT in MLS??), but now the new VWFC has Thomas Müller so they get a 90+7’ winner from him instead

They now still control their destiny in the race to win the West

Ben Wright @benwright.bsky.social · 1d

... this is a goal.

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Reposted by Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic

Josh Healey @joshrjhealey.bsky.social · 1d

New: Oh, yes, there were moments of promise for the @canmntofficial.bsky.social in Montréal.

The evening, however, ended in disappointment as Canada ran out of ideas against a low block. Given their real test is less than 10 months away, the time is now for them to figure out their challenges.

Promise, and frustration too, following CanMNT’s loss to Australia

onesoccer.ca

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Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 1d

I didn’t get a chance to see the WyScout xG yet (not sure it’s up yet) but FotMob let slip that Canada’s xG was 1.64 - no word on Australia’s though.

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Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 1d

Interestingly, Jesse Marsch has seemingly quietly set up to take on Colombia by resting Stephen Eustáquio, and by saying Tani Oluwaseyi will start that one - it’ll be interesting to see how those changes (and perhaps others?) might change the team’s set-up for a tough friendly

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Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 1d

That wasn’t the only worry offensively - I’d like to see 🇨🇦’s full backs more involved in a game like this. A good way to break down low blocks is to have wide overloads, which can either create good crossing opportunities (🇨🇦 had just 8/29 crosses) or open up space in the middle

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Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 1d

To that point, in Larin’s last 2 starts for 🇨🇦, they haven’t scored (🇨🇮🇦🇺). By comparison, having one of Promise David or Oluwaseyi seems to stretch the field, adds fluidity to the attack and helps Jo David be more dangeroud, even if they haven’t been as prolific as hoped in a Canada shirt

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Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 1d

To the Larin/David point, in limited time on the field, Promise David had 4 shots and a big chance, and Tani Oluwaseyi had 2 shots and a big chance - Larin had 1 shot, and David none

Larin wasn’t bad, per se, but the challenge 🇨🇦 faces with him starting is that the attack doesn’t gel with him

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Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 1d

Cyle Larin was not able to have a desired impact up front, Jonathan David was pushed to the periphery, and the wingers Tajon Buchanan and Ali Ahmed were not able to have as much joy 1v1

🇨🇦 didn’t create enough wide overloads for their wingers, and struggled to play off Larin/David

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Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 1d

Was too bad to see the #CanMNT unable to score, as they couldn’t reward a fantastic Montréal crowd

The good news is that a Niko Sigur mistake aside on 🇦🇺’s goal, they defended pretty well again considering their injuries - their big woes were in the attack, especially in the first 60 minutes

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Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 1d

Mixed feelings last night for the #CanMNT - they suffered a frustrating 1-0 loss to 🇦🇺 off a sloppy mistake, but also controlled large swaths of the game

Of course, as we know, control =/= dominance, and Canada were let down by their play in the final third as they continue to struggle vs low blocks

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Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 2d

It is a bit of a surprise to see Eustáquio start on the bench, but Koné/Saliba were fantastic vs. Wales, and Eustáquio's club minutes have been spotty. Shows how strong the #CanMNT's depth is now where that's even an option

LDF had a knock this week so that also opens the door for Waterman

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Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 2d

The #CanMNT squad is out for their friendly vs. 🇦🇺

Looks like:
Crépeau
Sigur-Waterman-Cornelius-Laryea
Saliba-Koné
Buchanan-Ahmed
J. David-Larin

We see a quartet of former #CFMTL players get a start, which is exciting

As for the team, big chance for Larin up front - not many other surprises

📸🇨🇦⚽

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Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 2d

A bit late from me to get back to this.. but thanks, Josh! Much appreciated 🙏🫡

Hoping he balls out at home tonight

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Reposted by Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic

Joshua Kloke @joshuakloke.bsky.social · 12d

This was awesome. Well done

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Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 2d

It's the challenge that the #CanMNT and many other teams face - how to deal with long-term injuries?

The good news? 🇨🇦 haven't ruled anyone out of the WC. The bad news? Many key players face a race for fitness

I wrote about what that means - and how 🇨🇦 will handle that
onesoccer.ca/a/key-injure...

Key injured CanMNT regulars facing race for fitness as they push to return for World Cup

onesoccer.ca

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Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 2d

Bit late on this one, but had a fun journey out to Vancouver Island last weekend, and watched a 3-3 thriller between Pacific FC and Cavalry FC in #CanPL action

Despite already being eliminated, PFC did well to slow down the Cavs - and then drew York yesterday
www.canpl.ca/news/late-kl...

Late Klomp goal rescues point for Cavalry in thrilling 3-3 draw vs. Pacific | MATCH ANALYSIS

www.canpl.ca

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Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic @alexgangueruzic.bsky.social · 2d

It's #CanMNT matchday!!

There are 8 games left before the World Cup, so tonight's a big one, as 🇨🇦 gets set for the first of 2 friendlies this window vs. top 25 opposition, as they take on 🇦🇺 in Montréal and 🇨🇴 in New Jersey

I dove deep into 🇦🇺and🇨🇴 in my tactical preview
onesoccer.ca/a/tactical-p...

TACTICAL PREVIEW: What should the CanMNT expect from Australia, Colombia in October friendlies?

onesoccer.ca

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Reposted by Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic

Northern Fútbol Podcast @northernfutbol.bsky.social · 4d

🎧🇨🇦NIKO SIGUR JOINS NFP!

⚽️Why he chose #CanMNT over Croatia
⚽️What "internal competition" is really like
⚽️Playing for a Balkan giant like Hajduk Split
⚽️Being one of the few CanMNT players from BC
⚽️Gennaro Gattuso and more

🍎 podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/n...
🟢 open.spotify.com/episode/3aOT...

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