Gheisar And De Rosario To Assist With CanMNT Training Camp

Another Canadian Premier League head coach has joined the Canadian men’s national team through the organization’s Community Coaching program.

As Les Rouges undergo a training camp ahead of their match against Suriname in two weeks’ time, Halifax Wanderers head coach Patrice Gheisar has joined in an assistant coach role, as has former men’s national team icon Dwayne De Rosario.

Both coaches will accompany the team to the Nations League quarter final matches against Suriname.

There have been several CPL familiars to take the post under the community coaching program, including York United’s Stephen Eustaquio and former Nine Stripes assistant coach Paul Stalteri.

Wanderers head coach Patrice Gheisar is only two years removed from when he was coaching semi-professional side Vaughan Azzurri, a Canadian soccer powerhouse helped develop current national team players like Dayne St. Clair, Kamal Miller, and Alistair Johnston, amongst others.

His last two seasons in the pro ranks with Halifax Wanderers saw him crack playoffs in season one, earning a coach of the year nomination before enduring a difficult sophomore season in 2024. The 49-year-old coach plays in a forward, attacking philosophy that wouldn’t look out of place with the men’s national team.

Dwane De Rosario is an MLS and national team legend who tallied over 150 goals in his playing career. He was a familiar face in the stands at York Lions Stadium when either of his sons Osaze De Rosario or Adisa De Rosario were playing, with the 46-year-old currently holding a Canada B coaching license.

The veteran looks to have joined in some of the drills, donning a training pinnie and taking to the pitch. To quote the men’s national team Twitter account, “DeRo has still got it”.

This week’s training camp will allow Jesse Marsch to get a close look on a number of North America-based athletes. Included in the 19 camp invitees is 16-year-old Shola Jimoh, who turned heads with York United this season. Evidently, the theme of Marsch getting eyes on North America-based talent extends to the coaches, too.

Canada will take on Suriname in the Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals on November 19. That comes as the second of two legs, with Les Rouges taking on Suriname away on November 15 before Toronto’s home leg.

Header Image Photo Credit: John Jacques