The trend over the past year has been for Canadian roster announcements to include at least one eye-opening name – a surprise debutante, a long-time holdout joining the national-team ranks or perhaps a highly touted youngster.
This time, that name is Scott Arfield, whose potential addition to the Canadian program has been the subject of intense speculation for months. That speculation can now be laid to rest, as he is officially part of Canada’s roster for two upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Mexico.
With a week left before a crucial qualifier in front of a gargantuan home crowd at Vancouver’s BC Place, here’s a look at the 23 men who’ll be hoping to earn Canada a crucial result in their journey toward Russia 2018:
The newcomer
Scott Arfield, 27, M, Burnley (England): Born and raised in Scotland (with experience for the nation’s youth national teams), Arfield is eligible for Canada through his Toronto-born father. Now cap-tied to Canada, he could potentially step in immediately on the right side of midfield.
The no-doubters
Atiba Hutchinson, 33, M, Besiktas (Turkey): Canada’s best current player and one of its finest ever, the soft-spoken big man exerts a calming influence when controlling the midfield. A guaranteed starter any time he’s with Canada.
Julian de Guzman, 34, M, Ottawa Fury: The national team’s captain and all-time leader in appearances always finds some gas in the tank when wearing Canadian colors. Head coach Benito Floro will be relying on him to protect the backline in a holding midfield role.
Will Johnson, 29, M, Toronto FC: Fully recovered from a devastating leg break in 2014 and rejuvenated by an offseason move to his hometown team, Johnson is another midfielder upon whom Floro will be relying for his veteran presence.
Junior Hoilett, 25, M, Queens Park Rangers (England): If you’d ask Canadian fans a year ago, most would have been resigned to the idea Hoilett would never suit up for his birth nation. But since debuting in September, he’s proved himself a vital attacking force on the wing.
David Edgar, 28, D, Sheffield United (England): Another veteran in whom Floro places much faith, the big center back will anchor the Canadian defense – a critical role against a dangerous team like Mexico.
Marcel de Jong, 29, D, Ottawa Fury: The industrious fullback remains Canada’s top option on the left side of defense. He brings some danger going forward, particularly on set pieces.
Cyle Larin, 20, F, Orlando City SC: Already entrenched as Canada’s top striker, the reigning MLS Rookie of the Year isn’t likely to see much of the ball against Mexico – but MLS fans know he needs only a little bit of time and space to create magic.
On the bubble
Milan Borjan, 28, GK, Ludogorets Razgrad (Bulgaria)
Kenny Stamatopoulos, 36, GK, AIK (Sweden)
One of these two will start in goal – but who? Borjan is ostensibly the No. 1 ’keeper, but Stamatopoulos played excellently in Borjan’s absence at last summer’s Gold Cup. Neither has played recently at the club level, leaving Floro an important decision to make.
Doneil Henry, 22, D, West Ham United (England): The former Toronto FC man had his much-hyped move to England derailed by injuries in 2015. He’s back to match fitness, and could feature against Mexico in his customary central position or possibly at right fullback.
Nik Ledgerwood, 31, D, FC Edmonton: Canada’s presumptive starter at right back, though that status could be challenged if Floro decides to continue the Doneil Henry right back experiment.
Dejan Jakovic, 30, D, Shimizu S-Pulse (Japan): An experienced defensive presence for Canada, he played well in November’s World Cup qualifiers but is just rounding back into top form.
Steven Vitoria, 29, D, Benfica (Portugal): A long-time national-team holdout who made an impressive debut for Canada in a February friendly against the USA.
Karl Ouimette, 23, D, New York Red Bulls: His capacity to play central defense and fullback will increase his chances of earning minutes on a defensive-minded roster.
Adam Straith, 25, D/M, Frederikstad (Norway): With plenty of central defenders on the squad, Straith’s most likely role would be to spell de Guzman in a defensive midfield role.
Tosaint Ricketts, 28, M, unattached: A Floro favorite with blazing speed, he could be supplanted in the starting lineup by the likes of Arfield.
Tesho Akindele, 23, M/F, FC Dallas: With the versatility to play on the wing or up top, Akindele is likely to be a top option off the bench for Canada.
Fighting for minutes
Simon Thomas, 25, GK, FK Bodo/Glimt (Norway): The former Vancouver Whitecap will be looking to impress in training camp and be part of the picture going forward.
Manjrekar James, 22, D, Diosgyori VTK (Hungary): A graduate of the same Toronto academy that produced Larin, he’s fought his way onto the national-team radar in recent years.
Samuel Piette, 21, M, Deportivo La Coruña (Spain): Another Floro favorite, the young “bulldog” has much experience in Canadian colors, but will find himself down the depth chart for these World Cup qualifiers.
Marcus Haber, 27, F, Crewe Alexandra (England): Could be used as a like-for-like substitute for Larin late in games. A big body with the ability to hold up the ball.
Iain Hume, 32, F, SD Ponferradina (Spain): A fan favorite who always represents Canada with passion; hasn’t appeared much under Floro but provides something different in the attack.
