For his two-plus years as Canada's coach, Jesse Marsch has been unyielding in his support of the player that by pedigree, potential and raw scoring talent had all the makings of being his FIFA World Cup game-breaker. Marsch publicly backed Jonathan David and privately urged the 26-year-old striker to drive the team's offence into the most-anticipated tournament in history for the men's program.
Missed Opportunity in the Opener
So after the opener at Toronto Stadium, in all its glory, peril and ultimately relief, how much has that faith wobbled? The flubbing of a glorious opportunity in the 16th minute led to a substitution in the 61st minute and suddenly put David even more on the hot seat than he was before. Which is saying something.
Just as he was entering the tournament and especially after the high-volume criticism following the 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina, David will be even more of a talking point as Thursday's must-win match against Qatar draws nearer.
Marsch's Understated Assessment
"Johnny didn't have his best day," Marsch said of David's travails in Toronto, words that may stand as the most understated comment of Canada's plight the remainder of this World Cup. "It's normal that a player doesn't always play at his peak, but he's an incredibly important player for us. We need him in this tournament to be at his best and (to) find a way to use this experience to be better for the next one."
And there is the most important of Marsch's comments. No, the team isn't going to bail on David now (nor should it). And yes, the coach still believes his striker can be the game-changer. It's also true, however, that Canada needs Jonathan David to be at his best more now than it ever has.
David's Year of Struggle
Last Friday had to have been a low moment for David, who has spent too much of his past year dealing with vilification as his goal-scoring prowess has dried up profoundly. In Italy, many fans of the famed Juventus club have seen quite enough of David, who is making close to $10 million to lead the club's offence, scoring just six times in 35 contests. The savagery from Juve fans has been harsh, with many questioning his future with the Serie A giant.
The Canadians have come to rely on David, the program's all-time leading goal scorer with 29. With that in mind, he's not going to be abandoned now. Yes, David's form has wavered, but he's still Canada's best striker and biggest game-changing potential. Even with the infamous miss, he was a presence in other ways. Frustrating as it has been, Marsch has to stick to his belief that the finish will come.
Marsch's Unwavering Faith
The coach's faith hasn't just come on a whim, obviously. Meticulously detail-oriented, Marsch has appreciated David's soccer intelligence and his ability to have an impact all over the pitch, not just in striking positions. He has trusted him throughout and, with the biggest games of their respective careers up next, now is not the time to bail.
Is David Still the Key?
Yes and no, but based on his explosive past — he is Canada's all-time leading scorer, don't forget — he still looms as a prime candidate for offensive difference-maker on a team in need of one. After watching Switzerland fail to put away Qatar and settle for a 1-1 draw despite having numerous opportunities and a Canada-like lack of finish.
"This week in training we can fine tune the finishing," said 20-year-old defender Luc de Fougerolles, speaking of what surely would be Marsch's emphasis when the team returned to practice Monday in Vancouver. "If we create the chances, I'm sure we'll take advantage. The positive (against Bosnia and Herzegovina) is we created the chances. The next step is to finish them off and kill the game."
Not just the next step, the critical one. With three days of training to fine-tune (or alter) the attack, Marsch's creativity and David's reliability in big moments will be put to the test.
