Canada coach Marsch says he has 'tough decisions' to make ahead of World Cup opener vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina

Lightning flashed across the black sky, and rain began falling in blankets rather than sheets across BMO Field. For 90 minutes, Tuesday’s kickoff between Canada’s and Tunisia’s men was delayed, and looked sometimes in doubt.

There were good reasons to wait and hope for clearer weather.

The friendly was the last in Toronto before Canada opens its home World Cup here on June 12, and the team needed to show that Saturday’s draw to Iceland was an aberration, not the leading edge of an ill-timed trend. Head coach Jesse Marsch still has roster and lineup selections to consider. His players still had cases to make.

By the end of a long night — another draw, this one scoreless, and played more in Canada’s favour — some individual fates had clearly changed. Some dreams became closer to certainties; others evaporated, like breath disappearing in the cold.

“I’ve got some tough decisions to make,” Marsch said after the final game before his 26-man roster is due May 30. “I know that.”

Canada and Tunisia friendly results in a scoreless draw ahead of World Cup

Ralph Priso, the 23-year-old Vancouver Whitecap, was awarded his first start for the national team in part because its back line is in tatters. It lasted until the 26th minute when he came off with an apparent hamstring injury and more obvious devastation.

Bim Pepple, the new Plymouth Argyle recruit, didn’t play at all, suggesting he won’t have time to earn a late spot.

Certain other stocks rose. Marcelo Flores has almost certainly danced his way onto the World Cup squad. Daniel Jebbison seemingly lifted a place or two in the ranking of forwards. Liam Millar worked his guts out and took significant steps toward re-earning his former starting role.

“Every time I go onto the pitch,