Canadians in Europe: Jonathan David finishes strong

With the Copa America approaching and Jesse Marsch hired as the new coach, it is a busy time for the Canada Men's National Team, which has more players in top European leagues than ever before.

Fans can get an idea of how the national team is shaping up by checking out how their players are performing in some of Europe's strongest divisions. 

Alphonso Davies solid for Bayern Munich

Alphonso Davies has long been considered the golden boy in the current generation of Canadian players and he has justified that label during the 2023-24 season with Bayern Munich.

Deployed at left-back by Thomas Tuchel, Davies has certainly played a part in his side's defensive resolve, and he assisted three goals in Bayern's first three games of the season.

Davies did not post an assist from the start of September 2023 until April 6, 2024, but he improved from there, especially when he scored Bayern's lone goal in a 4-3 aggregate loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals.

Among fullbacks in the top five European leagues, Davies ranks in the top 10 percent among fullbacks in top European leagues in per-90-minute statistical categories including progressive carries, passes attempted and completed per game, goal-creating actions, take-ons completed and ball recoveries.

Jonathan David finishes season on a high note

Canada forward Jonathan David enjoyed a decent start to the campaign with three goals in five games, but he suffered an 11-game goal drought that stretched from late September to mid-November.

He scored in a 2-0 win over Lyon in November and scored again in the next game, a 2-0 victory over Metz. 

David had a hat trick to go with three assists in a 12-0 Coupe De France demolition of lower-league side Golden Lion in early January.

In Ligue 1 matches in 2024, he had a brace against Clermont, a hat trick against Le Havre, a goal against Reims, a brace against Rennes, one-goal games against Marseille and Strasbourg, and a brace against Nantes.

Stephen Eustaquio's playing time decreases at Porto

Born in Ontario, Canada to Portuguese parents, central midfielder Stephen Eustaquio previously starred for Pacos Ferreira before earning his big move to Porto last year.

Eustaquio has three goals in 35 matches this season. He scored a 90+1' winner against Gil Vicente in September before scoring two games in a row in late October, against Antwerp in the Champions League and Vizela in the Portuguese league.

He assisted twice in a 3-1 win over 10th-placed Casa Pia on December 9, but his team lost 2-0 to league leaders Sporting CP on December 18.

In February 2024, his playing time began to decrease as his manager has preferred Alan Varela and Nico Gonzalez in midfield.

Tajon Buchanan scores first Inter Milan goal

Formerly a winger and forward, 24-year-old Tajon Buchanan evolved into a capable full-back for Club Brugge in Belgium, and that earned him a move to Italian giants Inter Milan, who made the Champions League final last season and won Serie A the season before.

He has not started any matches as Inter chased and sealed the Serie A title, but he scored his first goal off the bench in a 5-0 win over Frosinone.

Read more: Tajon Buchanan joins Inter Milan

Cyle Larin has quiet season for Mallorca

Canadian marksman Cyle Larin made his mark in La Liga last season, scoring eight times in 19 league appearances during a loan spell with Real Valladolid, but he has not found the same success with Mallorca.

Larin contributed a goal and an assist in the Copa Del Rey against Boiro - who play in the sixth tier of Spanish soccer - on November 1. He finally broke his goalless streak in the league on December 9, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Sevilla.

His second and most recent La Liga goal came on January 13 against Celta Vigo. Larin scored three goals that week, two of which came in Copa Del Rey matches against Burgos and Tenerife.

Alistair Johnston has steady role for league-leaders Celtic

Celtic wrapped up another treble in Scotland last season and Canadian full-back Alistair Johnston was a regular in the team. That trend has continued in 2024.

He played in 31 of the team's league games, and he played in all six of Celtic's Champions League Group Stage matches.

In April, Johnston had two assists in a 3-0 Celtic win over St. Mirren.