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Mock 2.0: A new name at No. 1 – CFL.ca

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With the 2020 CFL Draft just a day away, CFL.ca’s Marshall Ferguson is back with his second and final mock draft.

In his first edition, Ferguson had the Calgary Stampeders taking offensive lineman Carter O’Donnell with the first overall selection. This time around, he’s changed things up and there’s a new No. 1 pick in town.

ROUND 1

1. CALGARY
JORDAN WILLIAMS
LB | EASTERN CAROLINA

While it might be unfair that he was the only CFL Combine athlete able to post eye-popping numbers in 2020 due to the timing of the CFL’s Ontario Regional Combine, there is no doubting Jordan Williams would have remained one of the true standouts of the Spring draft process.

When you draft with the top overall pick and make the decision to pick a player that should be readily available from day one, you don’t just want an average player or someone you could have taken with a later pick, you want the most game-changing player available and Williams is that in this class.

Alex Singleton was a revelation to the Stampeders defence thanks to his smarts and recognition at middle linebacker but he pails in comparison to the raw athleticism of Williams. If Williams is combined with 2019’s Most Outstanding Rookie Nate Holley, he could quickly gain chemistry and they could become the most dynamic Middle-Weak linebacker tandem in the CFL.

2. TORONTO
TOMAS JACK KURDYLA
OL | BUFFALO

I believe the Argos could skip right to the point and take receiver Dejon Brissett here, but if they go offensive line without a true natural day one starter replacement for Sean McEwen lost in free agency to the Stampeders, I could see the Argos going best available for a guard-to-gaurd swing protector with athleticism capable of becoming a tight end in six lineman sets.

I believe Jack-Kurdyla is this player as my other top-rated blocker Ketel Asse has more of a Shane Richards body type, whom the Argos took with the top spot in 2019’s draft.

3. BC
ISAAC ADEYEMI-BERGLUND
DL | SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA

This spot right here really is the swing vote of the CFL Draft’s first two hours on Thursday night. If Ed Hervey wants to take an edge rusher, he will have to choose between Adeyemi-Berglund and North Dakota’s Mason Bennett. I believe Adeyemi-Berglund’s drive and imposing build combined with his relentless pursuit of anyone crazy enough to attempt evading him is worthy of the spot.

Drafting an offensive lineman here makes sense for a team with protection issues from last season but Mike Reilly is in win-now mode and developing an already relatively young group with another rookie tossed in during injuries doesn’t seem like the plan.

4. EDMONTON
KETEL ASSE
OL | LAVAL

GM Brock Sunderland and his staff have done such a good job building national talent and depth that I could see the Esks using their second-straight 4th overall pick to capture even more talent to pair with Boateng and Betts. That group is already proficient and getting three top-end pass rushers on the field at once, or even in a healthy rotation is tough.

Ketel Asse has prototypical size and great footwork. His recognition and ability to react to rushers from any angle suggests he could play multiple positions in a moment of need and as we saw last year the Esks go as far as – a healthy – Trevor Harris can take them.

5. HAMILTON (VIA MTL) 
DEJON BRISSETT
REC | VIRGINIA

If the Argos don’t jump on Brissett at the two spot, I see him landing in Hamilton as a natural wide side receiver. Mike Jones is a very talented player who was given plenty of opportunity to get past drops and fighting the football with his top end speed, but the drop and subsequent tweak that removed Jones from the Grey Cup likely sealed his black and gold fate as he wasn’t re-signed in the first two months of free agency.

Hamilton could use this Manziel bonus pick to immediately get a top-end receiver with fairly local roots to learn the CFL game from Tommy Condell and potentially develop into more than a wide side pass catcher.

6. OTTAWA
COULTER WOODMANSEY
OL | GUELPH

At six-foot-five and 295 pounds, Woodmansey looks every bit the part of a first round offensive lineman and has tremendous fundamentals. He finishes every snap strong and rarely loses a one-on-one. 6th overall might be too big with the names to follow still available and Ottawa might not even want a lineman this year, but I liked his demeanour, finish, and availability enough to believe Woodmansey fits in here with another Ottawa pick coming quickly at 10th overall.

Why not add another layer of protection and insurance here for Nick Arbuckle with the pick used to swap for his rights.

7. SASKATCHEWAN
MATTLAND RILEY
OL | SASKATCHEWAN

Last year the Saskatchewan Roughriders drafted Justin McInnis and Brayden Lenius with their first two picks. This year they pick here and not again – barring a trade – until 30th overall. In free agency, Saskatchewan lost former draft pick Dariusz Bladek and trade acquisition Philip Blake to Toronto. As a result, this pick screams ‘get something tangible’ to me.

Mattland Riley is a six-foot-three, 300-pounder from Melfort, Saskatchewan and should quickly be CFL ready across any interior three positions. He would fit with the theme of upgrading an aging offensive line to be ready for a starting role by next season, and many years beyond.

8. HAMILTON
MASON BENNETT
DL | NORTH DAKOTA

I toyed with the Bombers trading up here to nab the Vincent Massey product, but I just don’t know if Winnipeg GM Kyle Walters wants to spend the kind of capital it would require to come get Bennett. Bennett could immediately make Bombers fans forget about the loss of Jonathan Kongbo, whose stellar rookie season led to a quickly release and signing in San Francisco with the 49ers.

For the Ticats, if the receiver pick is taken care of at fifth overall they can roll Bennett in alongside Julian Howsare at the end opposite Ja’Gared Davis, Dylan Wynn and Ted Laurent and add a national rotation to an already diverse front seven substitution package. If Laurent comes off the field on 2nd and long, maybe Bennett could find a role as a stand up end in a pass rush role until he becomes an every down player when the opportunity presents itself.

9. TORONTO
MICHAEL HOECHT
DL | BROWN
Hoecht really feels like a Brent Johnson type to me. With Robbie Smith of Laurier enjoying a standout rookie season after being drafted ninth overall by the Double Blue last year, the Argos could invest further in this Ontario native who should be reliable for some time once he reaches the CFL following a look with the L.A. Rams of the NFL.

ROUND 2

1 (10). OTTAWA
ADAM AUCLAIR
DB/LB | LAVAL
Antoine Pruneau remains a talented CFL safety flying to the football for the REDBLACKS in the best and worst of times, but he isn’t getting any younger and I wonder what kinds of coverages and blitzes new Defensive Coordinator Mike Benevides could order up with a multiple skill set player like Adam Auclair at his disposal.

2 (11). TORONTO (CONDITIONAL TO SASKATCHEWAN)
BRENDAN O’LEARY-ORANGE
REC | NEVADA
If Toronto prioritizes line play, there should still be some excellent options available to Pinball and John Murphy at the 11th pick. O’Leary-Orange has been locked in recent days at a 4.45 second 40 yard dash with hands, route running and NCAA exposure. He’s not T.J. Jones but paired with Juwan Brescacin, the Argos would have a formidable big bodied tandem to give Matt Nichols or McLeod Bethel-Thompson options on second and long.

3 (12). BC
RYSEN JOHN
REC | SFU
With the top two receivers gone and an elite first round edge rusher secured, the Lions find another target for Mike Reilly here. John’s size and high-pointing ability ensures he won’t last until the Lions next pick at 23rd overall.

4 (13). EDMONTON
CARTER O’DONNELL
OL | ALBERTA

I doubt Carter O’Donnell gets to this point but getting a $25,000 signing bonus from the Indianapolis Colts gave me enough pause to slide him from the first to early second round with Edmonton being the natural fit.

Literally any team would be wise to take O’Donnell before this point and hope he arrives one day, but it makes the most sense for Calgary or Edmonton, who are likely to have the best shot at signing the Golden Bears standout in free agency down the road. With Asse taken in round one as a top end insurance policy, should O’Donnell stick down South, the risk in both value and position makes sense.

5 (14). MONTREAL
MARC-ANTOINE DEQUOY
DB | MONTREAL

I talked to Danny Maciocia last year at the U SPORTS East-West Bowl and he glowed about Marc-Antoine Dequoy. All he did since then is get faster, help win another Dunsmore for Maciocia and get an NFL contract.

It’s admittedly risky for the first pick of Maciocia’s Alouettes tenure to be on a player he might not see quickly, especially after Maciocia’s opening press conference was highlighted by his admission that there isn’t much draft capital passed on for him to work with, but this would send a strong message that if you are one of the best RSEQ players available the Alouettes aren’t just interested, they’re invested. That’s a theme Maciocia spoke of when hired and reinforced through February’s free agency dance.

It’s a culture and identity defining selection that goes far beyond the skillset and scheme fit.

6 (15). CALGARY
CAM LAWSON
DL | QUEEN’S

In 2014, Derek Wiggan of the Queen’s Gaels was up for grabs in the CFL Draft and Calgary picked up the powerful big man with the 34th pick. Wiggan was a safe, smart and stable pick capable of creating solid interior push to the quarterbacks face while rarely getting his hands in the wrong place or head on the wrong side of a blocker in the run game.

That is Cam Lawson.

7 (16). MONTREAL (VIA SASKATCHEWAN)
RESHAAN DAVIS
DL | OTTAWA
Davis came onto my radar in a big way after watching a three-sack performance against Guelph in a 12-10 victory for the Gee-Gees. At six-foot-four and 243 pounds, he would add to the nicely developing national edge rush group of Bo Banner (19th in 2018) and Nate Anderson (16th in 2019) in Montreal.

8 (17). HAMILTON
NOAH HALLETT
DB | MCMASTER

He looks and plays like former Ticats safety Craig Butler, who remains on Hamilton’s coaching staff. He was coached by current Ticats free safety and special teams ace Mike Daly. He played his college ball in Hamilton and he’s from just down the road in London.

The stars have aligned here if the Ticats want Hallett and they might be smart to take him before Winnipeg can get their first selection in at 18th overall as the Blue and Gold benefited from the massive special teams performance of Toronto Varsity Blues draftee Nick Hallett in 2019.

Nick is Noah’s brother and the two have been training together at home through the pandemic. In Noah, the Bombers could get Nick’s immediate special teams influence with a bigger upside on defence capable of possible becoming a starting safety in the coming years, but not if Hamilton has their say.

9 (18). WINNIPEG
ANDREW SEINET-SPAULDING
DL | MCGILL

I can’t understand why Andrew Seinet-Spaulding hasn’t gotten more love in this spring draft process. All he did was be named to the RSEQ all-star team in 2019 after leading the league in both tackles for loss (13.5) and quarterback sacks (7).

The six-foot, 292-pound native of Pierrefonds, QC had 27.5 tackles in eight games, was named an All-Canadian and became just the third McGill player in school history to win the J.P. Metras Trophy as most outstanding down lineman in Canadian collegiate football following in the footsteps of Randy Chevrier (2000) and current Super Bowl champion/world class doctor Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (2013).

8 (19). OTTAWA (TERRITORIAL)
NEVILLE GALLIMORE
DT | OKLAHOMA

19th overall for a guy they’ll likely never see? Yes.

Here’s the reasoning. Ottawa’s depth of talent for this territorial draft selection is not great. If Gallimore ever does play in Canada, the REDBLACKS can’t allow it to be in any colours other than their own and this territorial selection is really just a bonus pick to improve after a bad year, so why not play with house money and reward yourself should he ever come home?

Other players that could land here include Carleton RB Nate Carter, Towson LB Malik Tyne and Brown DL Micheal Hoecht (although he likely won’t make it past the 12th pick).

The alternative here is the REDBLACKS could defer the territorial pick to later rounds and draft a player from Ottawa they want, but not at a second round price tag. Again, the simple answer with value appears to be drafting the monster from Oklahoma who automatically becomes a younger, more agile Ted Laurent.

7 (20). TORONTO (TERRITORIAL)
KIAN SCHAFFER-BAKER
REC | GUELPH

For the Argos’ fourth pick of the first two rounds, they can buy some insurance on the national receiver position or potentially go with a depth lineman on either side of the ball, such as Laurier’s Samuel Acheampong, but I like Schaffer-Baker.

The Mississauga native is six-foot-four and 200 pounds and has dynamic ball tracking ability. If he doesn’t go here to Toronto, I don’t see him making it out of the third round for a team like Edmonton, Hamilton or BC.

ROUND 3

1 (21). CALGARY
NATHAN ROURKE
QB | OHIO

Jesse Palmer is the historical benchmark at 15th overall to the Alouettes and Michael O’Connor is the recent marker at 20th overall to the Argonauts last year. Rourke could go above both, but he’s more likely to go between them or just after.

Rourke’s NCAA pedigree is good, but it’s the delivery, solid build and smooth timing on delivery I like the most. Calgary acquired this pick in the Arbuckle trade with Ottawa. Use it to go get the next Andrew Buckley who might turn into much, much more for you down the road when Bo Levi Mitchell is done.

2 (22). MONTREAL
JACK CASSAR
LB | CARLETON
A tackling machine with a true middle linebacker build and mentality to support the depth chart around Canadian standout Hence Muamba, Cassar feels like one of the sneaky trendy picks of this years class who will make a difference immediately on special teams.

3 (23). BC
DYLAN GIFFEN
OL | WESTERN

You’re more likely to find a size comparable in the WWE for Giffen than the CFL. At six-foot-eight and well over three bills, Giffen’s size can lend to rolling out of his stance and difficulty changing direction, but once he gets his hands solidly on you the rep is over.

That’s exactly the type of eraser the Lions could have used last year through Mark’s Labour Day Weekend while battling injuries, poor play and endless line shuffling.

4 (24). EDMONTON
TRIVEL PINTO
REC | UBC

I’m not in the business of criticizing someones character for one dumb decision, which Pinto admits to have made when getting his draft year deferred for a drug violation. His yards after catch ability is amongst the best in this receiver class and his blocking skills have dramatically improved since his formative football days with the Metro Toronto Wildcats.

If Trivel goes into camp and silently works at his craft, the Esks might get the steal of the entire draft if he lasts into round three.

5 (25). MONTREAL
STAVROS KATSANTONIS
DB | UBC
From one draft year deferred Thunderbird to another, Katsantonis had a simple supplement error. Stavros has the best natural sense of ball locating in the 2020 CFL defensive back draft class.

7 (26). CALGARY
SAMUEL ACHEAMPONG
DL | WILFRID LAURIER
A 2019 OUA first team all-star, Acheampong possesses solid length at six-foot-five and 247 pounds and would be a good depth add to the earlier pick of Cam Lawson.

8 (27). HAMILTON
TYLER TERNOWSKI
REC | WATERLOO
A Hamilton native with endless amounts of on-field production, Ternowski is simply the most enjoyable route runner amongst draft eligible U SPORTS receivers and deserves the chance to prove his smaller frame won’t hold back the same production from re-appearing at the CFL level.

9 (28). TORONTO
KAYDEN JOHNSON
RB | YORK
A tall, athletic freak whose track background is worth a Google search to understand just how unique he is, Johnson is an immediate presence with the Argos special teams much in the same framework as former Queen’s LB Nelkas Kwemo. The idea of McMaster graduate Declan Cross standing alongside Kayden is about as imposing as it gets for national backfield tandems.

ROUND 4

1 (29). OTTAWA
BLESKA KAMBAMBA
DB | WESTERN
A playmaker anytime the ball comes near him, Bleska’s energy and quick drive put him in the discussion for top defensive player on a talented Mustangs squad.

2 (30). SASKATCHEWAN
NICHOLAS SUMMACH
OL | SASKATCHEWAN
Summach is a monster depth pick to pair with U SPORTS teammate Mattland Riley taken in the first round.

3 (31). CALGARY
NICHOLAS DHEILLY
DL | SASKATCHEWAN
Dheilly is a tweener body type who will either have to add some weight to survive as a defensive end and access his natural pass rushing skills or improve open field movement skills to validate assignment as a WIL linebacker and special teamer.

4 (32). EDMONTON
SHAYDON PHILIP
LB | ALBERTA
Philip is a big body depth add for an Esks team looking to find some answers at linebacker rotations and special teams contributors.

5 (33). MONTREAL
SAMUEL ROSSI
LB | MONTREAL
Maciocia. If you recruited them and they played well for you, wouldn’t you invest here in the fourth round?

5 (34). CALGARY
CHRIS GANGAROSSA
OL | WAGNER
A Fort Erie, Ont. native, Gangarossa stands at six-foot-six and helped lead Wagner RB Ryan Fulse to one of the best rushing seasons in school history.

6 (35). SASKATCHEWAN
TREY KELLOGG
REC | UBC
A depth add around last years priority picks McInnis and Lenius, Kellogg can flat out fly with a similar skill set to Kian Schaffer-Baker, who was taken 15 picks earlier.

7 (36). HAMILTON
MARC LIEGGHIO
K | WESTERN
Hamilton could prioritize Liegghio – or any other kicker for that matter – much earlier but if they are the only team with a true desperate need after fellow Mustangs alum Lirim Hajrullahu left for the L.A. Rams, perhaps they can wait to the fourth round to take this multifaceted foot leather destroyer.

8 (37). WINNIPEG
TRESHAUN ABRAHAMS-WEBSTER
DB | CALGARY
From Canada Prep to Calgary and now the Grey Cup champion Blue Bombers, I could see Winnipeg taking the five-foot-11, Vanier Cup Champion as a free safety prospect or solid special teams add.

ROUND 5

Pick Team Player Position School
38 Ottawa Colton Klassen REC/RB Saskatchewan
39 Winnipeg Jesse Lawson OL Carleton
40 BC Theren Churchill OL Regina
41 Edmonton Liam O’Brien FB SMU
42 Toronto Brock Gowanlock DL Manitoba
43 BC Oludotun Aketepe DB Guelph
44 Saskatchewan Malik Tyne LB Towson
45 Hamilton Brian Harelimana LB Montreal
46 Winnipeg Jakub Szott OL McMaster

ROUND 6

Pick Team Player Position School
47 Ottawa Dev Lamour DB Buffalo
48 Toronto Trey Humes RB Western
49 Montreal Bailey Feltmate LB Acadia
50 Edmonton Nicolas Oppong OL Mount Allison
51 Montreal Benjamin Carre DB McGill
52 Calgary Samuel Lefebvre OL Laval
53 Saskatchewan Chase Claypool REC Notre Dame
54 Hamilton Graydon Campbell DT William & Mary
55  Winnipeg Macho Bockru REC Manitoba

ROUND 7

Pick Team Player Position School
56 Ottawa Xander Tachinski REC McMaster
57 Edmonton Skye King DL York
58 BC Brian Hope K/P Saint Mary’s
59 Edmonton Aaron Chabaylo LB Alberta
60 Montreal J.J. Molson K UCLA
61 Calgary Oliver Grant OL Acadia
62 Saskatchewan Dion Pellerin RB Waterloo
63 Hamilton Stephane Tanguay OL Simon Fraser
64 Winnipeg Rory Kelly DB Acadia

ROUND 8

Pick Team Player Position School
65 Ottawa Kurtis Gray LB Waterloo
66 Toronto Nolan Putt DB McMaster
67 BC Johnathan Femi-Cole RB Western
68 Edmonton Brett Ellerman REC Western
69 Montreal Adam Sinagra QB Calgary
70 Calgary Alex Saltychev DB Western
71 Saskatchewan Cordell Hastings REC Acadia
72 Hamilton Jonathan Zamora OL St. FX
73 Winnipeg Max Bataar DL Calgary

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Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

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November 8, 2024

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LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

AP cricket:

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Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

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November 8, 2024

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

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November 8, 2024

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Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

—

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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