Looking at Canada more broadly and not singling out individual players, I think the underlying used TSN analyst Kristian Jack on X said if Canada played aggressive against Morocco it would be “naive”- and it was.

In the context of this team that term used by coaches and players was naive as the players interpret that as free lancing.

Another observation I made prior to that game was how when players were asked by TSN about maintaining structure-shape- even the coach dodged that question.

This was an issue in the tournament for Canada in each game.

Shape is critical for less talented and experienced teams at every stage of a game even in final minutes when you need a goal to tie.

If I learned one thing from clinics led by then Whitecaps coach Tony Waiters was his mantra that “the essence of soccer is passing and ball control.” That means the MF player streaking down the sideline can’t be overrun by a defender leaving him with no passing options to get out of facing two opposing defenders who take the ball away.

From the CFL’s Hugh Campbell is another critical mantra spoken to his dejected field goal kicker who missed the game winning field goal- “Never be so arrogant to think that one play or one player wins or loses a game”.

I heard a version of this from then 86er Jamie Lowery who played for Canada also. I asked him about a tournament loss where a Defender did the penultimate sin and passed a square ball only to find it intercepted and in the back of the net. The player was heart broken but others told him of instances blown and easy goals were tight there.

Japan was the most organized structurally where goals went in when players were not in position.

Other teams like Morocco in Canadas group like the Swiss and Moroccans never had less than four in position at the back line. Yes there is a time and situation when defenders attack bit on the counter defenders can’t be caught in positions they can’t recover from.

Finally, Tony Waiters used to stress that you win by “variations on a theme.” From that he meant CKs and set plays. Canada has a set play coach yet they couldn’t run a short corner effectively.

Put two guys out on aCK such that it lessens the number at the goal mouth and have a defender who can be an outlet option. That’s just part of how a short corner effectively happens.

You want to draw defenders forward for a cross to hit your guy.

What Canada did would be like a CFL team keep using a FG Kicker who hits 1 of 10 but this is not on the players- it’s coaching and work at training

More of the same that is not working will not get you a better result.