Atiba Hutchinson’s side earned a place in the Europa League knockout stages this past week – but Hutch wasn’t around to see it.
Besiktas held on for a 2-2 draw Thursday against Asteras Tripolis to advance in the tournament, but Hutchinson, their stalwart midfielder, had been handed his marching orders from the referee in the 72nd minute after being shown a second yellow card. But by Besiktas’ next league game, on Monday, Hutchinson was back doing what he does – he played the full 90 in a 2-1 victory.
While Hutchinson is currently the linchpin of the Canadian men’s national team, there was also some good news this week for a few players who could step up to play a vital role in Canada’s efforts to qualify for the 2016 Olympics.
Keven Aleman finally made his league debut for CS Herediano on Saturday, subbing in at halftime in a 1-0 win over Santos de Guapiles. The crafty 20-year-old – a former member of the Toronto FC Academy – signed with the Costa Rican club in August but had been waiting to make his first appearance in league play.
Meanwhile this weekend, Samuel Piette also made a long-awaited appearance for his new club, La Liga’s Deportivo La Coruna. The 20-year-old – who already has nine caps with Canada’s senior team – got the start for the club’s reserve side in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Bertamirans.
Another Olympic hopeful, Michael Petrasso, started for Notts County in a draw with Sheffield United on Friday, as he continues his loan from Queens Park Rangers. And Fraser Aird, who could also feature for that Canadian side – if he commits – went the full 90 for Rangers in a 3-0 Scottish Cup win over Kilmarnock.
Another undecided international who was born in the Greater Toronto Area, Junior Hoilett, made a couple of Premier League appearances for QPR this past week as a late-game substitute.
Likewise for Marcus Haber (Crewe Alexandra), Randy Edwini-Bonsu (Stuttgarter Kickers) and Simeon Jackson (Coventry City), who also came on in the second half for their respective clubs.
Pedro Pacheco (CD Santa Clara), Daniel Haber (Ayia Napa) and Tam Nsaliwa (Bucaspor) all went the distance for their teams in league play this week, while Iain Hume appeared in two matches for Kerala Blasters of the Indian Super League.
Tosaint Ricketts got the start for Hapoel Haifa against Maccabi Tel Aviv on Saturday in Israel. In Hong Kong, Matt Lam got the start for Kitchee FC in a 3-2 victory over Woofo Tai Po.
