You can't accuse Steven Caldwell of being rash when it comes to his Race for the Roster decisions, but he's made a big one this week.
After 24 weeks, gone from his Canada starting lineup is Cyle Larin. It's not the only change this week, but it's perhaps the most consequential. Caldwell's decision reflects a reality facing the 30-year-old Brampton, Ont. forward that a second straight World Cup appearance might be slipping out of his grasp.
Larin, who is currently on loan at Feyenoord from Mallorca, was called up by Jesse Marsch for Canada's pair of friendlies during the last international window. But Larin did not see any action. After the scoreless draw with Ecuador, Larin returned to the Netherlands for treatment on an undisclosed injury ahead of the 2-0 win over Venezuela with his spot on the roster claimed by Nashville winger Jacob Shaffelburg.
For a number of reasons - form, fitness and a general lack of minutes - Caldwell has replaced Larin in his starting XI with Villarreal's Tani Oluwaseyi. Since arriving in the Eredivisie, Larin has started just one league match, appearing in five, and has played a total of 113 minutes. He does have a goal in four Europa League matches.
The other major move for Caldwell is putting Ismaël Koné back in a starting role in the centre of midfield. Koné scored in the Venezuela friendly before being sent off for what was a soft red card that could not be challenged with VAR. Koné has spent the term on loan in Serie A with Sassuolo. He's started nine games for the team and has a goal.
Out of the starting XI in his stead comes Niko Sigur, but it's not an indictment of his play. A versatile player, Sigur has been employed at right-back in recent weeks for club and country and with Canada's injury crisis in the backline, Sigur is, perhaps, best suited for work in defence at the moment. With locked-in right-back Alistair Johnston sidelined again with injury, Caldwell has Sigur deputizing him at the moment.
BENCH: Promise David (Union SG), Daniel Jebbison (Preston North End, on loan from Bournemouth) and Cyle Larin (Feyenoord, on loan from Mallorca)
STARTING MIDFIELDERS: Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) INJ, Ismaël Koné (Sassuolo, on loan from Marseille), Stephen Eustaquio (Porto) and Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal)
BENCH: Jacob Shaffelburg (Nashville), David "Junior" Hoilett (Hibernian), Nathan Saliba (Anderlecht), Mathieu Choiniere (Los Angeles FC) and Ali Ahmed (Vancouver Whitecaps)
STARTING DEFENDERS: Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Derek Cornelius (Rangers, on loan from Marseille), Moise Bombito (Nice) INJ and Alistair Johnston (Celtic) INJ
BENCH: Sam Adekugbe (Vancouver Whitecaps) INJ, Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split), Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough), Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire) and Luc de Fougerolles (Dender, on loan from Fulham)
STARTER: Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United)
BENCH: Maxime Crepeau (Portland Timbers) and Owen Goodman (Huddersfield Town, on loan from Crystal Palace)
IN THE HUNT: : James Pantemis (Portland Timbers) and Jonathan Sirois (CF Montreal)