Canada's head coach Jesse Marsch reacts during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League semi-final soccer match against Mexico on Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif.Etienne Laurent/The Associated Press
While Jesse Marsch prepares the Canadian men for next year’s World Cup, the search continues for new talent.
“With how multicultural this country is, we’d be foolish not to try to use every resource possible to get the best players under our umbrella,” he said. “And we’ve done that.”
Three new dual-national faces will be in camp for the November international window, in Tigres winger Marcelo Flores, Middlesbrough centre back Alfie Jones and Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Owen Goodman.
The 28th-ranked Canadian men close out their 2025 schedule against No. 23 Ecuador on Nov. 13 at Toronto’s BMO Field and No. 50 Venezuela on Nov. 18 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The 22-year-old Flores, who was born in Georgetown, Ont., to a Canadian mother and Mexican father, has already represented Mexico at the senior level. The winger is eligible for a one-time FIFA switch under the current regulations, introduced in 2021, which allow players who have played up to three senior international caps prior to the age of 21 to change allegiance.
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Canada Soccer lists Flores as a training player for the November camp — meaning while he won’t play, he will get a taste of life with Canada.
The 28-year-old Jones, an English-born centre back who has Canadian ties through a grandparent, is in the final stages of finalizing his Canadian citizenship and could take his citizenship oath when he arrives in Toronto.
Goodman, 21, was born in England to an English father and Nigerian mother, moving to Canada with the family when he was five. Goodman, who played youth soccer in Alliston, Ont., already has his Canadian citizenship.
Such finds could be aimed more for the future which Marsch, who took over the team in May 2024 on a contract through July 2026, says he wants to be around for.
Marcelo Flores of Tigres (left) fights for the ball with Domingo Blanco (right) of Tijuana during the 15th round match between Tigres UANL and Tijuana as part of the Torneo Apertura 2025 Liga MX at Universitario Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Monterrey, Mexico.Azael Rodriguez/Getty Images
“I’m very happy here. And quite honestly (Canada Soccer chief executive officer) Kevin (Blue) and I have had discussions about what it would be liked to continue the project and keep moving forward.
“I think the things that we’re trying to establish are so much more than just a two-year appointment.”
Former Canada coach John Herdman tried to bring Flores, then a 17-year-old Mexican youth international, into camp in Florida in January 2021, only to be frustrated by pandemic-related restrictions. Still hopeful, he included Flores in his preliminary 60-man roster for the 2021 Gold Cup, although nothing came if it.
But Flores opted for Mexico.
“Despite the ability to represent several countries, I have always been a part of the evidently Mexican national team system,” Flores said in a May 2022 social media post. “It’s where I feel most comfortable.”
“Today I speak from the heart and feel the need to communicate something I’ve know to be true for a while that I think is important you heard directly from me,” he added. “I will represent Mexico wholeheartedly for the rest of my professional life.”
That has evidently changed.
“He’s become more and more eager to really consider what it would be like to be … a Canadian national team member,” Marsch, who has visited Flores twice in Mexico, told a virtual availability Thursday.
“He sees this as something that is meaningful to him and not just a career choice but a life choice. And that to me is very encouraging,” he added.
Hull's Alfie Jones runs to celebrate after his winning penalty during the English League Cup match between Leeds United and Hull in Leeds, England, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020.Phil Noble/The Associated Press
The 5-foot-6, 132-pound attacker made his senior Mexico debut at 18 against Chile in December 2021 and now has three caps.
A young Flores spent time in England with Ipswich Town before joining the Arsenal academy in February 2019, signing his first pro contract in October 2020. Flores rose through the Gunners youth ranks and made the bench for Arsenal’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace in April 2022.
He had a 15-game loan spell at Real Oviedo in the Spanish second tier in the 2022-23 season, eventually leaving Arsenal for Mexico’s Tigres in September 2023.
Tigres currently sits fourth in Mexico’s Liga MX Apertura at 9-16. Flores has one goal in 149 minutes played.
In his 2022 social media post, Flores also spoke warmly of Canada.
“I was born and raised in Canada,” he wrote. “All my childhood memories are full of happy moments there with the ball at my feet. My mother is Canadian. She was the one that taught us to love Canadian culture. Canada is where I fell in love with soccer. I will always be connected with that beautiful country. Thank you, Canada.”
Jones joined Middlesbrough in July on a four-year contract from Hull City, which is home to Canadian international Liam Millar. Middlesbrough currently stands second in England’s second-tier Championship.
Born in Bristol, Jones is a graduate of the Southampton academy. The durable centre back had loan spells with Scotland’s St. Mirren and England’s Gillingham before joining Hull in the summer of 2020.
Marsch says Goodman feels “very Canadian” and wants “to fight to be part of this national team.”
“Certainly he’s a player with big potential and we’re really excited to have him under our umbrella,” he added.
Marsch remains without several key players, including captain Alphonso Davies (knee) of Bayern Munich, OGC Nice centre back Moise Bombito (fractured leg), Celtic right back Alistair Johnston (hamstring) and Vancouver Whitecaps defender Sam Adekugbe (Achilles).
Wingers Jacob Shaffelburg and Liam Millar and defender Luc de Fougerolles are dealing with minor injuries.