Canada’s men’s national soccer team delivered a disciplined and competitive performance Tuesday, holding 13th-ranked Colombia to a 0-0 draw in a friendly at Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey.

The 26th-ranked Canadians, coming off a 1-0 defeat to No. 25 Australia, showed significant progress under coach Jesse Marsch, with midfielder Stephen Eustaquio and winger Tajon Buchanan spearheading several threatening attacks. Despite the positive display, Marsch emphasized there is room for improvement.

“I think it was a good performance, not a great performance … most of the game we were in fourth or fifth gear and we could have really pushed ourselves into sixth gear,” Marsch said. “We are the type of team that can play in these games, be better in these games, and win these games.”

Few Chances, Strong Defenses

The match was tight for most of the 90 minutes. Scoring opportunities were rare, with Colombia outshooting Canada 6-4 and both teams managing just a single shot on target. Fouls were frequent, with referee Guido Gonzales Jr., the 2024 U.S. Soccer Male Referee of the Year, calling 38 infractions, 23 of them in the first half alone.

Canada’s attack featured moments of promise. Buchanan tested Colombian goalkeeper Álvaro Montero with a swerving long-range strike in the 28th minute, while Jonathan David’s apparent goal in the 76th minute was ruled offside. Colombia’s Luis Diaz had a close attempt in the 57th minute, narrowly missing the target.

In the closing minutes, Colombia mounted a late assault. Rafael Santos Borré’s header went wide in the 88th minute, and a final Colombian shot struck the goalpost after a key defensive tackle by Richie Laryea, with goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair likely deflecting the ball.

St. Clair, competing with Max Crepeau for the starting goalkeeper role, recorded his ninth clean sheet in 18 international appearances.

Lineup Changes and Player Highlights

Marsch rotated his lineup from the Australia match, introducing Eustaquio as captain, Oluwaseyi, St. Clair, and defender Luc de Fougerolles. Other second-half substitutions included Liam Millar, Jacob Shaffelburg, Promise David, Zorhan Bassong, and Mathieu Choiniere.

Colombia was captained by star winger Luis Diaz, who passed the armband to James Rodríguez upon entering the match in the second half. The visitors boasted a squad in fine form, coming off a 4-0 win over No. 14 Mexico and unbeaten in six of their last matches.

Context and Upcoming Fixtures

Canada’s men conclude their 2025 international schedule with two more friendlies against South American opponents: No. 24 Ecuador on Nov. 13 at Toronto’s BMO Field and No. 49 Venezuela on Nov. 18 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The team currently holds a 6-2-4 record for the year, with two draws decided in penalty shootouts.

This result improves Canada’s historical record against Colombia to 1-2-1. The teams previously met in the 2000 Gold Cup final, which Canada won 2-0, and in two friendlies, including a 1-0 loss in 2014 and a 3-0 loss in 1988.

Marsch reflected positively despite the scoreless outcome:

“I’m happy with the progress. And I just want to keep seeing them reward themselves with a little bit more quality in important moments.”