Canada put up a strong fight against Colombia in a soccer friendly match in Harrison, N.J., holding the 13th-ranked Colombian team to a goalless draw. The 26th-ranked Canadian men, led by midfielder Stephen Eustaquio and winger Tajon Buchanan, matched up well against their South American opponents. However, despite the solid performance, Canadian coach Jesse Marsch expressed a desire for his team to reach higher levels of play.
Both teams had limited scoring opportunities throughout the game, with Colombia outshooting Canada 6-4 and each team managing just one shot on target. The match saw a total of 38 fouls, with the referee, Guido Gonzales Jr., having a busy night officiating.
In the second half, the game opened up, with both teams creating more chances. Star Colombian winger Luis Diaz had a near miss in the 57th minute, while a potential goal by Canadian Jonathan David was disallowed due to an offside call. Despite late pressure from Colombia, the game ended in a draw.
Canada’s goalkeeper, Dayne St. Clair, put on a solid performance, recording his ninth clean sheet in 18 international appearances. The Canadian men showed progress despite not scoring during the match.
The game took place in front of a lively pro-Colombian crowd at Sports Illustrated Stadium, and it was the first of three consecutive matches against South American opponents for the Canadian team. Canada will face Ecuador in Toronto on Nov. 13 and Venezuela in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Nov. 18 to close out their 2025 campaign.
Colombia, coming off a strong victory against Mexico, showcased their skill but could not break through Canada’s defense. The match marked the first meeting of three straight games against South American teams for Canada.
Marsch made several changes to the starting lineup, with Eustaquio, Oluwaseyi, St. Clair, and de Fougerolles entering the team. Diaz, the Colombian captain, passed on the armband to James Rodriguez when he was substituted in the second half.
The match ended in a draw, with Canada’s all-time record against Colombia now standing at 1-2-1. Despite the competitive nature of the game, both teams failed to find the back of the net, resulting in a scoreless stalemate.
