Key Takeaways
- Richie Laryea will captain a developmental Canada side against Guatemala in a soccer friendly in Los Angeles
- The game is a developmental match for Canada, but coach Jesse Marsch expects a competitive game against a strong Guatemalan team
- The Canadian men’s team has a busy schedule before the World Cup, with games against Uzbekistan, a European qualifier, Qatar, and Switzerland
- The California camp roster includes a mix of veterans and young talent, with 11 players yet to earn a senior cap
- Canada’s record against Guatemala is 10-2-3, with the Canadian men’s previous losses to the Central Americans in World Cup qualifying play
Introduction to the Match
The Canadian men’s national soccer team is set to face off against Guatemala in a friendly match in Los Angeles, with Toronto FC fullback Richie Laryea captaining the team. The game is a developmental match for Canada, with coach Jesse Marsch opting for players out of season, all but one of whom are based in North America. Laryea, who has 71 caps for Canada, will lead a blend of veterans and youth at BMO Stadium. Marsch has stated that the team is looking to win the match, despite it being a developmental game.
Expectations for the Game
Marsch expects a competitive Guatemalan side, with many of the same players that Canada faced in the Gold Cup quarterfinals in June 2025. The game ended in a 6-5 penalty shootout loss for Canada, after the match finished 1-1. Marsch notes that the Guatemalan team is "scrappy, competitive, and hard-working," and that the Canadian players will need to be ready for a challenging match. The exact status of the game, including whether it is considered a Tier 1 international and how many substitutes will be allowed, has not been determined yet.
Team Roster and Preparation
The California camp roster includes a mix of veterans and young talent, with 11 players yet to earn a senior cap. Veterans in camp include Jonathan Osorio, Kamal Miller, Mathieu Choiniere, and Laryea, while younger players such as Matteo de Brienne, Noah Abatneh, and Tiago Coimbra are getting a taste of the national team. The team has been preparing for the match, with Marsch noting that the players who have been around the team before will be ready for the challenge, but that the new players may find it difficult to adjust to the Guatemalan team’s style of play.
Upcoming Schedule
The Canadian men’s team has a busy schedule before the World Cup, with games against Uzbekistan, a European qualifier, Qatar, and Switzerland. The team will play two games in Toronto during the March 23-31 international window, followed by a game against Uzbekistan on June 1 in Edmonton. The team will then play a final World Cup warmup match on June 5 or 6 in Montreal, before opening Group B play at the World Cup on June 12 against a European qualifier in Toronto.
History between Canada and Guatemala
Canada’s record against Guatemala is 10-2-3, with the Canadian men’s previous losses to the Central Americans in World Cup qualifying play. The team lost 2-0 in August 2004 in Burnaby, B.C., and 1-0 in October 1998 in Guatemala City. The team will be looking to improve on this record, and to use the match as a valuable learning experience for the younger players in the squad. With a strong team and a competitive opponent, the match is shaping up to be an exciting and challenging one for Canada.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Canadian men’s national soccer team is set to face off against Guatemala in a friendly match in Los Angeles, with Richie Laryea captaining the team. The game is a developmental match for Canada, but coach Jesse Marsch expects a competitive game against a strong Guatemalan team. The team has a busy schedule before the World Cup, and will be looking to use the match as a valuable learning experience for the younger players in the squad. With a strong team and a competitive opponent, the match is shaping up to be an exciting and challenging one for Canada.