Cyle Larin's recent goal surge an encouraging sign for Canada's World Cup team

If there’s an encouraging sign for Canada’s men’s soccer team, now only seven anxious weeks from a home World Cup, it’s veteran forward Cyle Larin’s remarkable return to form.

Seeing him lead a surging Southampton toward promotion from the English Championship is like watching a once-proud man remember who he was.

In Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Bristol City, Larin scored his seventh goal in 17 games since he joined the Saints on loan from Mallorca, his fourth goal in his last six appearances.

The 31-year-old had fallen out of favour in Spain, and at Dutch outfit Feyenoord, where a separate loan ended in February after he failed to score a single goal in Eredivisie action.

He’d also lost his place in Canada’s starting 11. Larin has scored 30 goals for his country but none since 2024, and head coach Jesse Marsch has lately dropped him in favour of Tani Oluwaseyi and Promise David. 

But with Oluwaseyi’s own recent goal drought, and David’s hip injury, Larin might soon regain his former role along with his scoring touch.

Cyle Larin!<br><br>The Canadian levels the game for Southampton!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/saintsfc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#saintsfc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bristolcity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bristolcity</a> <a href="https://t.co/w2sgiI4M2f">pic.twitter.com/w2sgiI4M2f</a>

Something magical has happened since his arrival in Southampton. He scored a spectacular diving header only three minutes into his debut, lifting the Saints past Watford and, at the time, into 12th place in the league.

The home crowd welcomed him by singing his name, and for the first time in what felt like a very long time, Larin stood up straight and smiled

“You have to cherish these