Why Ben Brereton sits out for Canada Chile in Toronto
Ben Brereton is not starting for Chile against Canada Chile at Toronto's BMO Field because interim coach Nicolás Córdova made a tactical choice, not because of injury. He preferred Gonzalo Tapia through the middle with Darío Osorio and Lucas Cepeda wide, aiming for more mobility and a high press against Jesse Marsch's physically strong hosts.
Key Takeaways
- Brereton (Sheffield United) starts on the Chile bench for the September 26, 2026 friendly in Toronto.
- Córdova chose an attack of Osorio, Cepeda, and Columbus Crew striker Gonzalo Tapia.
- The call is framed as mobility and pressing versus Canada's physical style under Marsch.
- Chile begins a North America tour also facing the United States and Mexico.
- Canada is missing Alphonso Davies (honeymoon) and injured midfielder Ismaël Koné.
Why did Córdova leave Brereton on the bench?
According to 365Scores, the confirmed Chile lineup for the BMO Field visit made Brereton's place on the bench the main tactical talking point of the day. The England-born forward remains in the squad and is expected to wait for second-half minutes rather than sit out the trip.
Córdova's staff wanted greater movement and high pressure in the final third to counter Canada's athletic profile. In that plan, Tapia won the starting center-forward role ahead of Brereton for the Saturday kickoff.
The friendly is also a laboratory for Córdova. Chile is blending European-based veterans with emerging options as the interim side shapes an identity before future competitive cycles, a theme echoed across coverage of this Longevity & Biohacking sports-fitness desk.
Who starts up front for Chile vs Canada?
The attacking trident named for kickoff pairs Osorio and Cepeda on the flanks with Tapia as the reference striker. That configuration pushed Brereton into a substitute role while keeping him available if Córdova wants a different finishing profile later.
On the Canadian side, Marsch continues after Canada's best World Cup run—reaching the round of 16—and still leans on a familiar base from that tournament squad. La Tercera notes 16 of 26 current call-ups were in the World Cup group, even without Davies and Koné.
What else is at stake in this Canada Chile friendly?
Per the ANFP, Córdova said the three-game North America tour—Canada, then the United States on September 29 and Mexico on October 6—is about high-level competition against recent World Cup hosts. Kickoff versus Canada was listed for 20:15 Chile time at the World Cup venue BMO Field.
Córdova stressed that this squad should form the base for coming qualifiers and that young players need the intensity of fewer spaces and sharper pressing. He has already debuted 13 youth players in the senior team during his tenure.
Before kickoff, Chile and Canada Soccer arranged a minute of silence for late former ANFP and FFCh president Reinaldo Sánchez, with Chile also wearing black armbands. The Canada Chile meeting is the first between the sides since a 0-0 Copa América 2024 draw that eliminated Chile under Ricardo Gareca.
For fans tracking Brereton specifically, the headline is clear: he is available, but Córdova wanted Tapia's profile from the first whistle. Expect the Sheffield United attacker to remain a live option off the bench as Chile tests ideas on the road.