'I'm here. I'm Canadian': Newcomers Jebbison, David eager to make mark with national men's soccer team

The role of national team head coach requires a particular set of skills.

Jesse Marsch, the multi-faceted leader of the Canadian men's soccer side, has a special knack for diplomacy: He's excelled at convincing dual nationals — players who can represent more than one country — to play for him, and so for Canada.

His latest converts, forwards Daniel Jebbison and Promise David, could make their Canadian debuts at this week's CONCACAF Nations League Finals.

"I think both of these two are big talents," Marsch said. "Now when you look at our overall depth of attacking options… I think this is the strongest that the Canadian national team has ever looked."

On Thursday, 31st-ranked Canada will play Mexico in one semifinal at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, after the United States and Panama meet in the other. The final and third-place game will take place Sunday.

Jebbison, who plays for Bournemouth of the English Premier League, and David, who has enjoyed a breakout campaign for Belgium's Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, will provide first-rate cover for forwards Jonathan David and Cyle Larin.

The newcomers will also be tested by their national-team introduction. Favoured Mexico, ranked 19th, will have a frenzied, 70,000-strong crowd heavily in their favour.

"I'll be fine," David said this week from equally sunny Los Angeles.

He scored a penalty away against Dutch giants Ajax in Europa League action last month. "When I put that ball down on the spot, it was the loudest thing I've heard. It was a great feeling. I can't wait to do it again."

He might next do it for Canada. "It was always part of my plan," he said.

FIFA, soccer's international governing body, has slowly codified what it means to be a national, trying to prevent countries