Stephen Eustaquio, Jesse Marsch check in ahead of CanMNT vs. Mexico | Presented by tonybet

yes it was an amazing game obviously uh it's always it's always good to to beat a team like Mexico uh I understand that they're they're a top team in conaf they had pretty pretty good players back then uh back then I remember teao ector guado uh you know it was a nice deck I think we're going to remember that game uh you know forever uh pretty much Sam jumping into the snow uh and those two two goals that we scored by Kyle uh it was it's amazing moments and we hope we can repeat that tomorrow it's hard to answer that but I feel that you know internally I feel that we're in the best Stage we can be uh right now we have the cup America experience we felt very very good against the the US you know in a sense where uh we dominated the the game we had a lot more chances to score we had more shots more corners more passes uh so I feel that at this time right now we are more cons concerned about us how we can get better how we can be the best Canada version possible and I think if if if that happens it'll be enough to to beat Mexico tomorrow yeah that was The X Factor a little bit in preparing for this match as we had certain things prepared ahead of time but we knew we would have to watch the New Zealand match now that we have um look they they we know they have quality on the the ball um we know they have a lot of players that are are mobile and creative and you know it'll be I think important for us again to to have a disciplined match one where defensively we are organized and and we press well and make it difficult for their talented players and mobile players to find space and then I think we can expect that they will be aggressive uh uh at certain moments to to press us and make it difficult for us and we have to have a good match plan with the ball and and and be active and confident on the ball and then have Dynamic movements to to try to test their back line and and make it difficult for their defense so it's similar to the US in terms of some of the structure of what the game will look like but it's different that I think they have um some some very technical players that are good in tight spaces and if we're not organized specifically defensively they can break us down and then start to get some of their talented attacking players on the Run so we we talked a little bit about it already today and we're going to have another meeting a little training session and then get ourselves ready for tomorrow yeah I think look we gota I I referenced those two guys because it was great to see them come into the team and do so well um I'm trying to build a a broader player pool right so what what I don't want us to do is get to 2026 and only have 11 players to draw on and I think that's a recipe for failure in a tournament for format so the players understand that that you know we're trying to push the the level of the entire group even when we bring guys in I've asked the leaders to really integrate them the right way and challenge them to understand what we're trying to do get them up to speed help them understand who we are and what we're trying to become and everybody has been committed to that wholeheartedly fully and yeah I mean look we're going to evaluate who can recover and who can go again after a demanding game that we had against the us and we will for sure uh bring some new players on the pitch and make sure that they're ready to perform and that's I think that's a really good sign of our group overall that no matter really over the first nine games almost to a man no matter who's played the roles have been understood the the performances have been clear and the collective has been sharp so if we can continue on that path then we can continue to to build upon what we're developing yeah we're we're doing something similar um but we're we're not ready to announce what we're going to do yet but we as an official opponent we will only have Panama and then we'll we'll have a couple other things built in that we be announcing soon after the window uh for the Octo October window and I'll just a little bit of the secret is also combining some of our our relationships and commitment with the community so we'll we'll get to that in in a week or so but we're we'll be excited to announce what our plans are for the next window yeah what pleased me the most is is that the players and their beh their individual behaviors and their understanding of the kinds of reactions and the kinds of ways to fit into the game is just getting so clear and that's a big um complement to the to the intelligence that we have in the team and I think they're they're inspired by what we're doing right like I think there's Clarity there's um an understanding of the what why and the how and and then it gives them the freedom and the the I think the desire to go out and be aggressive as a as a group and and show who they are like so much of of what we're trying to do is not just like a tactical football framework it's it's a mentality and it's a development of like an expression of the team and the players and their personalities and it it just it brings me so much joy when I see them like really being the best versions of themselves and really going after the game with confidence and belief in themselves and I think that gives us a really good platform to continue to push what we want to become obviously I think it depends on you know the opponent and you know the game plan that uh the coach wants us to to do but it g it gives us an edge obviously we have players that uh you know are in form they're able to Sprint they're able to Sprint hard uh we're a fast team we're an aggressive team and I think uh by by playing forward and and you know stepping a little bit out of our comfort zone but at the same time understanding that you know this is a very good way to just recover the ball in high lines and and you know play play forward that's very hard for a midfielder sometimes the coach is always on us about that but you know it it makes us create more opportunities have more shots have more corners you know and that makes us believe that you know we can be on top of these teams and we've been having a tough time in the past couple years to to play against these teams and now feeling that we're we're having edges in you know in the game during the game that we better that we're on top of them we're playing on their on their half makes us feel uh very good makes us feel believed that you know um all this work we've been working on in camping training about making more Sprints being more vertical is paying off and I think that's that's the best thing for a players to believe that the work we've been doing is paying off and I think we've been showing it yeah I I would say that it's much as it's about pressing and counter pressing and I know that people will often maybe discuss that about me because that's it is there that there is truth to that and there is that is what I try to employ with our teams but for me it's about elevating the speed of play and the speed of play at which they play at they think at they react and how they do it collectively so there's a there's a there's a a physical methodology a soccer methodology and a mental methodology behind it and then we supplement it into the Tactical model model and we ask them to really now understand collectively how to go after the game and and to have an understanding of roles and and and tactical strategies in All Phases of the game at all moments of the game and then build that you know more and more over time and and then it requires me to be clear with my communication and and and what I what my expectations are from them and then to also provide them with the opportunity to put it to practice to to make mistakes but to make the right kinds of mistakes and then to learn from them and add it to who they are and so that's why I've said like it's not just about when they're with the national team it's about overall like the things that I'm trying to give Steph I'm trying to equip him with more and more abilities that will make him better in his life and in his career that he can apply to wherever he goes and and I think that they feel the sense of that and they feel how much stronger they can be in a match and clearer and faster and and no matter how their their club team asks them to play if they can add these things in the right way they will be successful in their Club careers as well and and so you know and it also helps like you see that some of the guys that have made the moves they're elevating their careers like I believe that we're going to put together a package of what this is and help all of them grow to benefit themselves in their lives and then also obviously what we do with the national team we've had a lot of discussions with the people from the CPL with different clubs we have Mario stako Steph's brother in so we've had two aios Maro has said he's the better looking aako I don't know if that's true or not um he's definitely the best looking Maro compared to Maro yell um but you know we're even trying to think about how to build some other camps that may not include the European players that are more focused on domestic players and and certainly with an emphasis on CPL and young MLS players to bring into the fold we want to also build out our youth national team program so that some of these younger players in Canada and that are in CPL programs and mlsm can now be integrated into our style of play into our way of thinking into what we're trying to achieve with the first national team so there's a lot of discussions and I'm I'm still gathering information from a lot of helpful people and leaders in the sport uh to figure out what are our best strategies so that we can move the game forward in Canada but I can tell you there's a real eagerness from every I've spoken to to support the national team and to continue to think about how to create a better infrastructure for what the sport can be in the country and we're going to maximize those energies to figure out what's best to do how to keep pushing levels and how to continue the investment made into this into well my team shares your your hotel uh here in Arlington and there was an issue with the with the water was a water break that caused the hold hotel to have no water and I was wondering that affected in your preparation for today I see you guys are laughing so uh I hope we sure that the Mexicans turned the water off here why do they do that well I could attest you that as a Mexican I didn't see no fellow Mexicans messing with the water sir but I've heard of the fire alarm I've never heard turn the water off so this is a I mean we're fine I think we're hopeful the water comes back on but you know it's still a good hair day for Steph so we're doing but the but but the Mariachis are coming they're under way for tonight okay look I I appreciate that in Mexico that the game is at such a high level that there's a lot of critical thinking about where the sport needs to go but look I I I was in with Chas USA i' I've been down to Mexico for so many years my level of respect for what the game is the development of the sport um the commitment they have to development of young players and what it means to their their overall player pool their league like for me I have so much respect for the game in Mexico and and then look it's been some tough times for the national team and part of it is that there's a lot of expectation to live up to in the country and but make no mistake make no mistake that we are expecting a very good team uh an organized team a team with more energy and and more commitment especially with a new manager to show that these players want to be involved in the long-term project I think their first performance against New Zealand was very strong right from the first second of the match where they got an early goal a bunch of new players came on the pitch during the match and showed that they uh can compete for starting spots um a lot of quality players playing at Big clubs a young team a dynamic team we uh we are expecting a very very difficult match tomorrow and and we are preparing for a game that a team that's smart a team that's mobile a team that's uh talented gifted committed so we're we're really ready for the best version of a Mexican national team in in the in most recent history thank you coach and I hope they do fix the water for all our sakes thank you so much thanks manam yeah well um look there's a combination of meeting with watching the game okay so watching CPL watching youth games watching Academy games um meeting with leaders in the sport including leaders within the CSA which we've done to like uncover all the good things that have been done and where the game needs to go from here fundraising with Kevin blue is a major part of this to make sure that we're um getting the kind of funds to help create the infrastructure we think we need and then how we design that in infrastructure so that we give our both our men's and women's programs the opportunity to thrive and grow in the country and then also the the the the infrastructure from a resources standpoint in terms of um you know facilities and training centers and all these things um so that in in the end we're we're providing everything we need to to help the sport grow um you know and in there I'm always trying to figure out how for me to to integrate the things that I think are important for the game from a from a pure football perspective but I'm trying to do it in a way where I'm not telling people what to do I'm I'm just there as a resource if people want to hear my thoughts but but I don't want to be forceful in terms of saying we need this this and this and act like I have it all figured out I still have to be I think the best way to be a uniter is to be a good listener and then to figure out how to bring people together under the idea of what we're trying to create as a national team program obviously it's a very it's very nice to have my brother here but you know the the relationship I try to keep here in Camp is you know player coach um obviously I haven't been with him you know around this year he's been in Canada and I've been in Portugal so it's always nice to see him but at the same time uh we're in a very professional environment um so I just try to grow under Jesse and whatever he he has he asked me to do uh as a player I try to respect and try to do it so in that matter you know we haven't been together for more than 10 15 minutes only in training and you know until until tomorrow the after the game keep it that way about the CPL you know I've been seeing uh more York games because of my brother and I enjoy seeing it I enjoy I have a lot of friends in the CPL I think it's a league that's growing and you know I just want to keep uh keep watching and keep pushing and keep rooting for for the the players because obviously it's everybody dreamed to be a national team and I think they have the the capability to be here so yeah I think independently there's always going to be a debate of you know who's the better team who has the best players uh I think all teams are pushing to be better and we're one of those teams uh we kind of w a little edge here by by you know making out the group stage of cup America but at the same time we spoke in the past you know we're trying to be our best team here we're gonna have an amazing tournament in the summer that we want to be in a strong level and compete for it and then just try to make make our best possible way to the World Cup and and be a very very good team there there's always going to be theit the debate that's that's a a situation that you know we don't really pay much attention to we just try to be the best Canada possible and if we're the best Canada possible I think we're the best team of the region I'm always going down I don't understand why to be honest I think Moyes bombito is gonna have the biggest the biggest uh change uh I think he deserves it um I mean couple of players but I think Moyes is going to be the one that wins the most out of it about me to be honest I think I should be with the high higher value but at the same time I don't play FIFA so it's okay yeah I think look behind the scenes there seems and and again it's not so easy for me to comment because I'm not always part of all of these conversations but there seems to be a real strong alignment right now between the women's team uh the men's team and the CSA and I think they're really close to finalizing or to or aligned with everything for a CBA and I think everybody's really excited about the possibility of of continuing and hopeful that we find an agreement with the csb so that we can put all of this together for a great agreement for everyone and then really move together All in One Direction in the sport so I'm hopeful that that we're on the right course for these things and that soon we can that I can stand in front of you and say look everyone everyone in Canada Soccer is fully aligned um and I can give a big compliment to the to the men's team because I know they've they've made some sacrifices um because they know how important this moment in 2026 is for the country and they're willing to to to put their best foot forward in every way as players as men as Role Models um to really provide the country with the experience that we deserve and to help make sure that we create an incredible foundation and launch the sport for the Futures close I really just a quick followup when you came in and if you were aware of that how important was it for you to to make sure that that I mean I know you're not directly involved in it but make sure there was a resolution there just for the you know harmonious nature of the the association yeah we don't need to go back but I talked to you I think even Matt about how I in the beginning I had heard from everybody what a disaster the Canada Soccer Association but my experience in being here has been incredibly professional right and and as much as we don't have all the resources that maybe we need and deserve I know we're going to get there because of the leadership inside of the CSA so Kevin blue is doing so so many positive things behind the scenes to really make sure that the infrastructure of what this is for the future will launch our program so um yeah we're again I think all the all these guys have put a lot into work to really align themselves to make sure that that we can move forward in a good way so we're close we're close thanks guys yep we are all right thank you everybody [Music]