Sources: Marsch, Blackmon in talks for Canada NT

Canada men's nationalist squad manager Jesse Marsch has had discussions with Vancouver Whitecaps defender Tristan Blackmon astir perchance representing Canada astatine planetary level, sources told ESPN.

Blackmon, 28, has spent parts of the past 4 seasons with the Caps, and has delivered immoderate stellar displays during Vancouver's tally to the last of the Concacaf Champions Cup, successful which it volition look Cruz Azul successful Mexico City connected June 1.

One root characterized the discussions arsenic exploratory successful nature, with Blackmon taking a wait-and-see attack to find if helium volition get called up to the U.S. men's nationalist team. The 60-man preliminary rosters for the Gold Cup are acceptable to beryllium announced connected Monday.

The Las Vegas autochthonal doesn't person Canadian citizenship, but sources archer ESPN that if helium decides to determination guardant with the proposal, the Canada Soccer Association is prepared to effort to fast-track Blackmon's exertion for a Canadian passport.

According to Section 5(4) of Canada's Citizenship Act, "the Minister may, successful his oregon her discretion, assistance citizenship to immoderate idiosyncratic to...reward services of an exceptional worth to Canada.". The thought is that Blackmon would person his passport immoderate clip earlier the 2026 World Cup, but besides with capable clip to get acclimated to the Canada nationalist squad setup.

There is precedent for Canada granting citizenship to American athletes. Last December, satellite champion pairs fig skater Deanna Stellato-Dudek became a Canadian citizen, clearing the mode for her to vie with spouse Maxime Deschamps astatine the 2026 Winter Olympics successful Milan.

Canada is acceptable to co-host the 2026 World Cup alongside Mexico and the U.S.

Blackmon has ne'er appeared for the U.S. internationally astatine immoderate level, though helium was connected the preliminary roster for a USMNT grooming campy that was held past January.

He played collegiate shot astatine the University of the Pacific successful Stockton, Calif. earlier making his nonrecreational debut for LAFC successful 2018, wherever helium initially started retired arsenic a close back. He besides had indebtedness stints with USL Championship broadside Phoenix Rising successful 2018 and 2019. Overall, astatine the nonrecreational level, Blackmon has made 217 appearances successful each competitions, scoring 9 goals.

Blackmon was portion of the LAFC Supporters Shield-winning broadside successful 2019, and was portion of 3 Canadian Championship sides with the Whitecaps successful 2022, 2023 and 2024.