Photo by Greig Cowie/ISIphotos.com
By KURTIS LARSON
From Owen Hargreaves (Calgary, AB) to Jonathan de Guzman (Scarborough, ON), Canadian soccer players have repeatedly shunned their country of birth to play for other, more powerful soccer nations around the globe. A whole host of names comprise a list of promising young Canadians that have moved overseas to join more prestigious national teams.
That said, recent improvements to the Canadian set up may have lured a potential Premier League standout back to the Great White North. After signing a two-year contract extension at Blackburn Rovers, it seems Canadian David Hoilett is putting to rest claims that he is considering passing over his home nation for a chance to suit up for Jamaica.
Hoilett's father has gone on record stating "We are happy with the direction the national program in Canada is heading."
"Some of the concerns that we had and expressed are being addressed," he told the Lancashire Telegraph. "Junior hasn't 100 percent decided, but would consider attending a (Canadian) camp in the near future."
The benefits of capping a player of this stature are two-fold. First, he instantly improves the squad the minute someone with his top-flight English football experience steps onto the field. Second, an announcement like this will likely spur other prospects to keep their Canadian passports and take another look at what the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) has to offer.
Altogether, it's a compliment to the CSA for the work they've put in over the last year to secure major international friendly dates, and show players in the Canadian camp the CSA is organized and ready to compete. In their build-up to the next Gold Cup and World Cup 2014, Canada is on the right track to becoming a potential contender for the third spot in the region.
CLUB CORNER
Toronto FC – Coming off a 0-0 draw with Kansas City heading into the World Cup break, TFC announced their home CONCACAF fixture with CD Motagua of Honduras. The first leg will be played at BMO Field on July 27 with the return leg in Honduras Aug. 3. Should TFC get past Motagua, they've been drawn into a very difficult group with MLS Cup winners Real Salt Lake, Panamanian champion Arabe Unido and potentially Cruz Azul of Mexico. Toronto FC host the L.A. Galaxy following the MLS break.
Vancouver Whitecaps – Handed Tampa Bay just its second loss of the season in a 1-0 win as Martin Nash's spot kick right before the half held up. Vancouver had to settle for a draw Wednesday night with the visiting Carolina Railhawks. Four points from a possible six saw the 'Caps stay atop the NASL Conference on 16 points, three ahead of Carolina who sits on 13.
Montreal Impact – Came from a goal back to salvage a point against visiting Miami FC in front of 13,000+ at Saputo Stadium Sunday. Former MLS MVP Christian Gomez opened the scoring in the 9th minute while the Impact's Tony Donatelli converted a PK in the 23rd. The Impact then traveled to Minnesota Wednesday and dropped a 1-0 contest to NSC Minnesota Stars. That loss coming in the 87th minute when Melvin Tarley broke through for the home side.
FC Edmonton - Have announced ticket prices for their upcoming friendlies with Colo-Colo (Chile) and Portsmouth FC (England). The games will be played at the home of the CFL's Edmonton Eskimos (Commonwealth Stadium) and holds over 60,000.
CANADIAN MOVEMENT
Gianluca Zavarise – Received his first cap for Canada in a 1-1 start against Venezuela on May 29. Zavarise recently moved from VFL Bochum (Bundesliga 2) to Egaleo F.C. of the Greek second division.
Marcel de Jong – After four season with Roda JC of the Dutch Eredivisie, de Jong moved to German side FC Augsburg (Bundesliga II) late last month.
I think he should choose Canada. They are headed in the right direction and although they won’t be as competitive as the U.S or mexico there is no reason why Canada can’t become the 3rd best team in CONCACAF. Simeon Jackson and J.r Hoilett together would do wonders for a developing nation like Canada. They should spend less time playing hockey and focus on the worlds most popular sport.
…unlike Jamaica, which didn’t make the Hex in either of the past two qualifying campaigns and finished fifth out of six in the 2002 campaign.
Why would anybody want to play for Canada? Never any chance of playing in the World Cup or with any decent players. Seems like a no brainer to me…
O’brien White will have to decide between Canada and Jamaica as well. He looks promising.
I think that with the US & Mexico, there is relatively positive positive light on NA Soccer. A strong Canada would be of benefit to the US.
Great point.
Guys, just because you grow up in one city, in one country, doesn’t mean you aren’t raised to be a different nationality – especially when it comes to a multi-cultural place like Canada. If you’re growing up and your parents keep telling you that you’re a Jamaican living in Canada, you’ll grow up feeling like a Jamaican living in Canada, as opposed to a Jamaican-Canadian.
It’s just like religion, almost entirely based on what your parents/guardians teach you.
I think by increasing the quality of the game in Canada it sheds more positive light on NA Soccer. How much? Who really knows. I just think It’ll help. Not to mention the increased competition for our boys here in the States.
LOL, he grew up in Ottawa, that’s as Canadian as you can get. Nothing Jamaican about getting more snow than Moscow!
A+ for Canada but I am not sure how much it helps North American soccer.
If he really wants to play for Canada then I hope that it works out.
Surely you are not right (sorry but you left that fruit hanging).
What if the guy always wanted to represent Jamaica? How is that different than Rossi? Maybe the kid grew up wanting to play for Jamaica.
I think this is potentially a big deal precisely beacuse Jamaica traditionally is much more of a threat to crack the top 4, despite the things you point out (which infuriate even us pseudo-Canadians and otherwise Anglophone NA soccer fans).
I don’t know his patriotism or much else about him that may have gone into this decision, but from a purely soccer standpoint Jamaica would make more sense unless he really is confident of the direction CSA is going. Good sign I would say.
If you born in Canada, represent Canada. Born and raised in Canada, represent Canada.
does he feel more Jamaican cause his dad is from there? That is his ancestry, his dad’s home, his home is Canada.
surely I am right. Representing Jamaica to please his dad just makes this similar to G Rossi though I respect that more since he left at age 12 and always wanted to represent Italy.
The new white caps jerseys
http://www.24thminute.com/2010/06/not-your-daddys-caps-strip.html
i wonder what colors Montreal will take…
I still think the younger De Guzman will come back. It doesn’t look like the Dutch are interested in him at all.
The CSA is heading in a positive direction. We’ve got more games for the men than ever, we’re biding on the WWC in 2015, and I think we should take a shot at hosting the GC!
I’d forgive JDG2 if he wanted to come back. I don’t fault him for being selfish and wanting to have an opportunity play in the WC. Who has never dreamed of that?
He should pick Canada. Canada has the most room for improvement, and as a bigger nation there is no reason why they can’t be the 3rd best team in CONCACAF.
I really hope this happens. A + for North American Soccer.