MATCH PREVIEW: Can CanMNT unlock stingy Ecuador backline in home friendly?

In their penultimate match of 2025, the Canadian men's national team host world no. 23 Ecuador at BMO Field on Thursday night in an international friendly. 

With the calendar on the verge of flipping to 2026, and with it ushering in the most important year in national team history, Canada will want to finish the year on a strong note. Especially playing at the same venue where their World Cup campaign begins in June. 

The two nations last met in 2011, also in a friendly at BMO Field in a 2-2 draw. Terry Dunfield scored a screamer from distance on that day for Canada, before Tosaint Ricketts equalized in second-half stoppage time. 

That draw was preceded by two losses to Ecuador, as Canada have never defeated the South American nation. Thursday will be Canada's seventh match against a CONMEBOL country in the past two years. They are 1-4-2 in that time, with their lone regulation victory coming 1-0 against Peru in the 2024 Copa América Group Stage. 

Back on home soil for the second time in as many months, Canada will want to bounce back from a rare home loss, 1-0 against Australia in Montréal on October 10. Canada also played Colombia to a 0-0 draw last month in New Jersey. 

"It's advantageous for us to have played Colombia in the preperation for Ecuador," said Marsch. "They're not exactly the same but they have a lot of similar qualities. There's a lot of good individual talent. A lot of high-level athleticism on the pitch and I think they style at which they play is very similar." 

After failing to score during the October window, Canada's attack will be a big question coming into this match. The Iceman, Jonathan David, has gone ice cold for Juventus, with no goals since August 24. Cyle Larin, meanwhile, has played sparingly for Feyenoord and has scored just once in nine appearances for the Dutch club. Tani Oluwaseyi's only goals since September came against a fifth division side in the Copa Del Rey. 

Promise David, however, is in solid scoring form. As is Theo Bair who returns to the side after scoring a solid eight goals in 13 matches since joining Lausanne-Sport in Switzerland. 

Canada's attack will be put to a significant test against a defensively excellent Ecuador side, who have not allowed more than one goal in a match since a 2-1 loss to Venezuela after Enner Valencia was sent off in the 22nd minute of their 2024 Copa América Opener. 

Since then, they have conceded just seven times in their past 17 matches. They finished second in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying despite a three point deduction for using false birth documents in the previous cycle. Ecuador lost just twice in 18 qualifying matches. 

While they also do not score often, just 14 times in 18 games during qualifying, this Ecuador side does have some dangerous attacking weapons. At 36, the nation's all-time leading goalscorer, Enner Valencia, remains lethal as ever. Promise David's Union Saint-Gilloise teammate Kevin Rodríguez, meanwhile, leads the Belgian league in scoring this year. 

A strong side named for this window is rounded out by Chelsea's Moisés Caicedo, Arsenal's Piero Hincapié and PSG's Willian Pacho. 

Ecuador are coming off an October international window where they played to 1-1 draws against both the United States and Mexico. They also take on New Zealand on November 18 during this window. Canada, meanwhile, follow this match up with another game against South American opposition -- heading to Florida on Tuesday to take on Venezuela in their final match of 2025. 

Canada could see at least one national team debut on Thursday night, as 28-year-old Middlesbrough central defender Alfie Jones could be in line for his first international appearance. Jones, who qualifies for Canada through a grandparent, is an exciting recruit who could play an important role this window with both Moïse Bombito and Luc de Fougerolles not available. 

Goalkeeper Owen Goodman and attacking midfielder Marcelo Flores earned their first Canada call-ups as well this window, the latter as a training player. Neither, however, are expected to make their debut during these matches and are potential pieces for the future. 

While the snow of recent days is expected to hold off on Thursday, it could still be chilly conditions down by the lakeshore at BMO Field. The temperature is projected to be about four celcius at kickoff, which could give Canada a distinct home pitch advantage. 

A near-sellout crowd is expected to brave the cold, however, and watch Canada in one of their final dress rehersals on home soil before they welcome the world in 2026. 

PROJECTED LINEUPS

Canada: St. Clair; Sigur, Cornelius, Waterman, Laryea; Buchanan, Koné, Eustáquio, Ahmed; Oluwaseyi, David 

Ecuador: Galindez; Preciado, Hincapié, Pach, Medina; Vite, Alcivar, Caicedo; Rodríguez, Valencia, Yeboah

ALL-TIME SERIES

Canada wins: 1 | Ecuador wins: 2 | Draws: 0

Last meeting: 

June 1, 2011 – Canada 2-2 Ecuador