Marsch mind games bring more questions than answers about Canada's injured Davies

VANCOUVER, June 25 : Trailing 2-1 to Switzerland and needing a draw to remain in Vancouver for the World Cup knockout round, Canada fans were wondering when Alphonso Davies would come off the bench to save them, but it turned out that, despite the public pronouncements of coach Jesse Marsch, he was not fit to play.

Less than 24 hours before, Marsch told reporters the 25-year-old had recovered from a hamstring injury and was ready to play against the Swiss, only to reveal in his post-match press conference at BC Place that he had not told the whole truth. 

"To be honest, Alphonso wasn't ready yet, so I was using him a little bit as a decoy," Marsch told reporters with a chuckle on Thursday. "However, he will be ready next match." 

Marsch's revelation was met with silence from the media and, when pressed on the issue, the 52-year-old became defensive. 

"He was never going to play today," Marsch said bluntly, adding that he said Davies would play in an attempt to fool his Swiss opponents. 

The Canadians kicked off their World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina in Toronto before moving west to Vancouver, where Davies made his name at the Vancouver Whitecaps before moving to Germany and Bundesliga side Bayern Munich.

Canada have been tight-lipped about his return from injury, first saying he was in a return-to-play protocol and then declining to give an update on his progress until Marsch's declaration that he was fit ahead of the 6-0 win against Qatar. 

Capable of dominating the flank as winger or wing-back, and useful in the middle, the left-footed Davies is by far Canada's best player, but the idea the Swiss might adjust their gameplan based on him possibly making a cameo appearance is fanciful. 

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