As Jesse Marsch readies the Canadian men’s team for the upcoming World Cup, efforts to unearth fresh talent are ongoing.
“Given the diverse makeup of this country, it would be unwise not to leverage all available resources to bring the top players into our fold,” Marsch commented. “And we have been actively doing so.”
Three new dual-national prospects are set to join the squad for the November international window: Marcelo Flores from Tigres, Alfie Jones from Middlesbrough, and Owen Goodman from Huddersfield Town.
The Canadian men, ranked 28th globally, will wrap up their 2025 campaign against Ecuador (ranked 23rd) on Nov. 13 at Toronto’s BMO Field and Venezuela (ranked 50th) on Nov. 18 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Among the newcomers is 22-year-old Marcelo Flores, born in Georgetown, Ont., to a Canadian mother and Mexican father. Despite representing Mexico at the senior level, Flores is eligible for a one-time FIFA switch due to regulations introduced in 2021 that permit players with up to three senior international caps before turning 21 to switch allegiances.
While Canada Soccer has listed Flores as a training player for the November camp, indicating he won’t participate in matches, he will gain exposure to the Canadian setup.
Alfie Jones, a 28-year-old centre back born in England with Canadian heritage, is in the final stages of securing Canadian citizenship and may complete the process upon arrival in Toronto.
Meanwhile, 21-year-old Owen Goodman, who moved to Canada from England at the age of five, already holds Canadian citizenship. Goodman, who honed his soccer skills in Alliston, Ont., is eager to represent Canada.
Marsch envisions these findings as investments in the future, aligning with his commitment to the team until at least July 2026.
“I’m genuinely content here, and Kevin [Blue], the CEO of Canada Soccer, and I have discussed the prospects of extending this project and advancing together,” Marsch stated.
Flores Has Been on Canada’s Radar for Some Time
Previously, John Herdman, the former head coach, attempted to recruit Flores, then a 17-year-old Mexican youth international, for a Canadian camp in Florida in January 2021. However, pandemic-related restrictions thwarted the plans. Despite Flores opting for Mexico initially, recent developments suggest a change of heart.
“He has shown increasing interest in representing the Canadian national team,” Marsch revealed during a virtual briefing.
Flores, who stands at five-foot-six and weighs 132 pounds, debuted for Mexico at 18 and has accumulated three caps. His soccer journey includes stints at Ipswich Town and the Arsenal academy before moving to Tigres in Mexico.
Reflecting on his Canadian roots, Flores expressed deep affection for the country where he spent his formative years playing soccer and learning about Canadian culture from his mother. His sentiment toward Canada has evolved positively, marking a potential shift in allegiance.
- <a class="cardWrapper-u5T0r cardWrapper-_487
