While many of his compatriots are finding playing time tough to come by – in some cases because their club season has just ended – Atiba Hutchinson continues to be just as valuable to his club as he is to his country.
The veteran midfielder was in the middle of the action for Besiktas in Europa League action last Thursday, as a 2-1 win over Partizan lifted the Turkish club to first in their group after four matchdays. Then, on Sunday, Hutchinson helped his side in their push for the top of the league as Besiktas held on for a 2-1 win over Istanbul Basaksehir despite being reduced to nine men.
Fellow midfield vet Pedro Pacheco was also instrumental for his club, as usual, though his Santa Clara side fell 1-0 to UD Oliveirense on the weekend. Meanwhile, Tam Nsaliwa continued entrenching himself at Bucaspor, with another full-90 performance in a 3-0 win over Elizagspor on Sunday.
Well-traveled Canadian striker Iain Hume went the full 90 for Kerala Blasters in Indian Super League play on Sunday, though the team was held to a scoreless draw against Delhi Dynamos.
It wasn’t just the veterans getting game action this week; the kids were alright, too.
Michael Petrasso (on loan to Notts County) and Dylan Carreiro (on loan to Arbroath) both went the full 90 for their clubs on the weekend, though neither side got a win.
The pair, former teammates at the Toronto FC Academy and QPR, will be reunited once again as they both head to training camp with Canada’s Under-20 national team for a trio of upcoming friendlies.
Joining them will be defender Luca Gasparotto, who also went the full 90 on the weekend, in Airdrieonians’ 2-0 win over Stenhousemuir. Fellow youngster Daniel Stanese is also headed to training camp with Canada – in his case, the senior team, ahead of next week’s friendly against Panama – and he saw himself off with a full-game performance for FC Augsburg II on Saturday.
When it comes to highly touted youngsters, there’s been some question recently about the status of Samuel Piette. Piette, who has yet to suit up for Deportivo la Coruna after signing with the Spanish club earlier this autumn, is currently doing training in Montreal while he nurses an injury.
His fellow Quebecois Andre Hainault came on as a halftime sub for VfR Aalen in Friday’s defeat against FSV Frankfurt.
As for the Canadian strike force, there was a bunch of action but no goals this week – Daniel Haber (Ayia Napa), Marcus Haber (Crewe Alexandra), Simeon Jackson (Coventry City), Lucas Cavallini (Fenix) and Tosaint Ricketts (Hapoel Haifa) all earned starts for their clubs, while Randy Edwini-Bonsu (Stuttgarter Kickers) saw some action as a substitute.
