The Canadian Men's Soccer Team Thread

[brocoli]

Gotta just hope for Phonzie's health here, but the silver lining is who we are scheduled to play in this window. Plus the hope that the team can rally around this and show the depth that they have created to move forward.

[browna]

Huge hole.

This was always going to be a tough window after the success of the last one. The players are being told by the press and public to assumed to have 1.5 feet on the plane to Qatar after Edmonton. Most improved FIFA team award etc etc.

Now, a game away in unfavorable conditions, then back for a US team that won't be surprised, and then back to a third world country. Missing your best player and a player who is used to the pressures, more than maybe anyone, of high level games, even though he is young, can't be replaced. I do trust Herdman to do his best, but a bit of arrogance by the team, and or a bit of bad luck, and these three games could go bad.

Given this news, already in an situation where I think it was going to be a tougher window then people are making, anything more than 3 points in this window will be a success IMO. Some help on the OOT scoreboard would be nice.

[shermanator]

According to this, Davies will be out for 4 weeks to recover from this. Doesn't make the January window any better, but sounds like it's good news for the March window

I agree with browna, I think for this window 3 points would be good. I just can't trust Canada getting a result in Honduras, and the US is still a very strong side. Should have enough talent to get a win in El Salvador but any away games in CONCACAF are dicey at best.

https://twitter.com/Canucks_Abroad/s...23388280156160

[CroFlames]

The zero losses streak is kinda neat so if we aren’t winning games in this window, draws would be nice.

[ditty]

I predict 5 points out of this cycle. Draws in Honduras and El Salvador and a win in Hamilton vs the Americans.

[shermanator]

Scott Arfield just retired from the national team. One of the first dual nationals that committed to Canada so he's due thanks for that, but his decision to be there when Canada was poor and not commit when there's a legitimate chance at making a World Cup is baffling.

We'll never get the full story so speculate away.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by shermanator

Scott Arfield just retired from the national team. One of the first dual nationals that committed to Canada so he's due thanks for that, but his decision to be there when Canada was poor and not commit when there's a legitimate chance at making a World Cup is baffling.

We'll never get the full story so speculate away.

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1482840754821091328

[shermanator]

Okay, now we panic...

https://twitter.com/plattoli/status/1485264344183193603

[CroFlames]

My 3 and 4 year olds love running around the house yelling Eustaquio. It’s one of their favorite words.

They will be devastated.

[Bill Bumface]

Osorio needs to step up in a massive way. He’s shown he can do it, but this suddenly got tough. 4 points would feel like success now.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Echoing the rest of you, Eustaquio would be a huge loss. There’s no one else on the roster who can really do what he does. Maybe Atiba can turn the clock back one more time?

[shermanator]

Club wise, Eustaquio has been loaned to Porto with an option to buy. Big move up the ranks in Europe for him. Will be interesting to see where he and David end up this summer.

https://twitter.com/FCPorto/status/1485701221096775687

[shermanator]

Squad is out. Eustaquio is on there. Outside of Davies, it seems like a full strength roster...

GK- Milan Borjan | SRB / FK Crvena zvezda (Red Star Belgrade)
GK- Maxime Crépeau | USA / Los Angeles FC
GK- Jayson Leutwiler | ENG / Oldham Athletic AFC
CB- Derek Cornelius | GRE / Panetolikos FC
CB- Doneil Henry | Unattached / sans club
CB- Scott Kennedy | GER / SSV Jahn Regensburg
CB- Kamal Miller | CAN / CF Montréal
CB- Steven Vitória | POR / Moreirense FC
FB- Samuel Adekugbe | TUR / Hatayspor FC
FB- Cristián Gutierrez | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
FB- Alistair Johnston | CAN / CF Montréal
FB- Richie Laryea | ENG / Nottingham Forest FC
M- Stephen Eustáquio | POR / FC Porto
M- Liam Fraser | BEL / KMSK Deinze
M- Atiba Hutchinson | TUR / Beşiktaş JK
M- Mark-Anthony Kaye | USA / Colorado Rapids
M- Jonathan Osorio | CAN / Toronto FC
M- Samuel Piette | CAN / CF Montréal
F- Tajon Buchanan | BEL / Club Brugge KV
F- Lucas Cavallini | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
F- Jonathan David | FRA / Lille OSC
F- David Junior Hoilett | ENG / Reading FC
F- Cyle Larin | TUR / Beşiktaş JK
F- Liam Millar | SUI / FC Basel
F- Iké Ugbo | BEL / KRC Genk

https://canadasoccer.com/news/canada...tart-new-year/

[Eagle Eye]

Looks good, nice to see Hoilett back in. Hopefully Eustaquio can play a game or two

[J epworth]

Is the thought that Eustaquio would be able to play in Honduras and El Salvador and just not be allowed to come to Canada?

[SuperMatt18]

My guess is they are thinking the El Salvador game?

If he tested positive last week, that would then be two weeks after that, so maybe they can add him for the last game.

[CroFlames]

Dayum Canada has some great striker options, not even including the incomparable Davies.

Let's just fill the net and then we don't have to worry about missing Eustaquio.

[Mango]

This is really well done:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1485750790681673730

[shermanator]

nm

[M*A*S*H 4077]

I was listening to the Northern Futbol Podcast and their latest episode had Alistair Johnston on as a guest. He's a good interview, talked about his journey to get to this point in his career, some of his future goals, and reminisced on the Edmonton qualifying games.

If he's a sample of the mentality of the group then these guys are absolutely locked in and ready to do whatever it takes on the pitch and supporting their teammates to qualify

He was asked who he thinks the next Canadian player to have a Tajon Buchanan-esque rise in their career over the next year or two. Any guesses?!

Spoiler!

Joel Waterman

I'm a huge Waterman fan (own a Cavs Waterman jersey) and I'm surprised as you are. Johnston thinks he could be the heir to Vitoria and is about to take off in his career