Starting out 2021 ranked 73 in the world was something that Canadian soccer fans were used to. A team that was good enough to keep up with teams such as Mexico and the United States, but were never able to take control of their destinies. Now a full year later, the Canadian Men’s Soccer team sits 40th in the world, a full 33 places higher. The team hasn’t been ranked this high since back in 1996 and since then have hovered around the 73rd ranking for a number of years.
Canada sit atop the CONCACAF qualifying group
But that narrative has changed this year. This is the strongest squad that the Canadians have been able to put together with an amazing mix of veteran and rookie players, such as Atiba Hutchinson, Milan Bojan, Alphonso Davies and many more. This team is looking to do what Canada hasn’t done since 1986, which is qualify for the World Cup, the biggest tournament in the world. With an 8 game unbeaten streak and holding a 1 point lead at the top of the table above Mexico, the United States and Panama, this is the best thing any Canadian soccer fan could ask for.
Kristian Jack stood on the right with Steven Caldwell and Luke Wileman
Kristian Jack has covered Canadian soccer for many years and still continues to cover it. Previously with TSN, he covered Canada’s last qualifying attempt back in 2015-17. When it comes to qualifying for a major tournament, Jack says that there is no better time than now. “It’s literally right now, this is the time, this is the moment right now for them to do it so to answer your question I think it is getting to that world cup and there’s no two more powerful words put together in our sport than “World Cup” because it means everything it is the pinnacle of the sport.” He believes that this is the team that will take Canada to that famed tournament.
Upcoming matches for Canada
With their next match less than a week away set for Honduras, Canada looks to add to their lead at the top of the group. With the two teams having already played and drawn 1-1, this will be a tough match for the Canucks. “I think I think it’s going to be very difficult. And I think there’s a lot of parallels that we can draw that one one game against Honduras, because that was back when they were unknown as well. That was like, Okay, we’re just starting this procedure, try and win the game and it didn’t go their way, but they found a way to draw the match. You know, it isn’t that long ago that we had Edmonton games, but for many, it feels months and months ago, right. You know, players come in and out of form, players get sick, players are not available. So there’s just this natural reset every time, you know, sports is about momentum, and carrying that forward and the consistency of form, that’s thrown out the way for international football.” Jack gives his thoughts ahead of the match against Honduras where he believes this Canadian team will be tested. “I think it’s gonna be very difficult going down there is a very difficult place to play anyway, I just think they just need to go there and continue to perform and try and pick up as many points as they possibly can.”
With the next World Cup set to be held in North America in 2026, this might be the last time some of the players on this team will have to properly qualify for the World cup, with Mexico, Canada and the United States all having automatic qualification due to being host nations. “I think this is it. You know, this is World Cup qualifying. It’s about the journey. And the journey is far more important than the destination in this regard. Because it’s, it’s Canada soccer, trying to do something they’ve only ever done once before, with a group of players that never done it before. In an unprecedented time, where obviously, they know in four years time, they will be in a World Cup, and they won’t have to qualify. So this group of players will never have this opportunity again. And then with expanded World Cups. After that, it’s never going to be as difficult to qualify for a walk up as it is right now.” Kristian Jack on what he believes is in the near future for this Canadian team.
With some of the veterans knowing that the time for them is coming close to an end, so this might be the last time they ever play for their nation in a major tournament. “Well, I think it’s a very professional environment. I think Atiba Hutchinson, Johnathan Osorio. You mentioned Milan Bojan. It’s just a no excuses mentality. You know, they have they understand that no matter what setbacks are thrown at them. COVID testing players not fit doesn’t matter whoever is next man up mentality. And it’s just keep driving forward. They have a singular focus collectively, by the way, to feel like that they will make the World Cup. It is not a dream. It is a belief. It is a desire that they feel like they’re going to accomplish, and they will not let anything get in the way of that. And that’s what leaders leaders do. They know how to win particularly Atiba Hutchinson, they know how to do that. And, you know, I can just see in his face and his enthusiasm that they won’t sell for anything less here.” Jack gave his remarks on what he believes is the veteran players mindset as of right now.
Nottingham Forest announcing the transfer and arrival of Richie Lareya
Speaking of the younger players of this team. There are many who play and have played on MLS teams, which is the top North American soccer league. But as of recent years, more and more North American talent have been moving and transferring to Europe to play the game. “Yeah, I think they will. I think we’re seeing it. At the highest level, as I mentioned with Alfonso Davies going through MLS and we’re seeing it with low levels. You know, we’re seeing it right now in our own Canadian Premier League. Eastern Ongaro is a player that played for FC Edmonton this year. He’s our all time top goal scorer in the CPL, and he’s just gone to Romania, for example, like they understand that those environments are going to test them to another level. Richie Laryea just left Toronto FC to go to Nottingham Forest, which is an incredibly successful club with a great history of winning two European Cups and obviously he’s playing in a very competitive league in the Championship, where it is ruthless you know, you have to play every you know, two games a week, every game matters, promotion battle, relegation battle, one of the most competitive leagues and a planet where no disrespect to Major League Soccer and it’s got its extreme benefits.
Bayern Munich announcing the transfer of Alphonso Davies back in 2018
There’s a lot to like about it. But games do not mean as much. The overall value of that game you play in a mid season, game 20, game 24. And MLS for example, doesn’t mean anywhere near as much as game 24 in the Championship. So they are going over there in competitive environments where they want to test themselves and succeed. So yeah, very, very exciting time for Canadians to go to Europe.” With the MLS having no other league under it unlike in England, where they have the Premier league, and multiple leagues under it. There isn’t much of a demand to win in the MLS as you won’t be relegated or promoted, like the English soccer system has it.
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