Our Prediction: Canada's WCQ Squad versus Aruba and Suriname

Well, it’s been awhile (only 9 months or so), but with a bit more time on our hands we'll be back with more regular posts - starting off with this one!

Canada’s men’s soccer team has a couple of big World Cup Qualifiers coming up, and with the roster due to be announced tomorrow (this was posted in the Mountain timezone), we thought we’d take a stab at the 23-man roster we’d like to see (knowing John Herdman values fan input).

Coming at the end of the season for Europe’s winter leagues, and with MLS taking a break, our predicted lineup draws heavily from players from those groups. The June 8th match versus a new-look Suriname particularly necessitates a stronger group, and this may result in a more experimental group for July’s Gold Cup. Read on for our squad picks…

Goalkeepers:

Milan Borjan, FK Crvena Zvezda (SER)

Still a no-brainer for big games as Canada’s undisputed number one, Borjan’s coming off of another great season for the Serbian club who won the domestic double without losing a single match all year, and advanced to the knockout stages of the Europa where they only lost to Milan on away goals. Expect him to start both WCQ matches.

Maxime Crépeau, Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS)

Crépeau’s struggled a bit to start off this year, at least in comparison to last season where he was arguably the one real bright spot for the Whitecaps. He’s still looking like the most likely heir-apparent to Borjan, but we’re not expecting him to see the pitch this go around.

Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United (MLS)

The third keeper was a bit tougher than expected, as we also considered Jayson Leutwiler and James Pantemis, but this camp could be a good opportunity for St. Clair to reset his season and get some confidence back, not to mention to tie him into the Canadian system. If Tyler Miller continues to take time from him in Minnesota, he could also be an option as a starter at the Gold Cup.

Defenders:

Scott Kennedy, Jahn Regensburg (GER) - CB

This one we already know, so we’ll get it out of the way first, but Kennedy’s first call-up is well-deserved. From the Austrian 2nd tier to a starting role in the 2. Bundesliga, there’s arguably no Canadian centreback in as good of form right now, and this call-up is well-deserved. Might be early to make such a comparison, but the last Calgarian CB that played at a high level in Germany was pretty decent… can Kennedy play striker too??

Doneil Henry, Suwon Bluewings (KOR) - CB

Given Doneil’s injury issues to start the Korean League season and the fact he’s only recently come back into the starting lineup, in most circumstances we would think he’d be skipping this one. But given the importance of the Suriname match, and the fact that he’s still Canada’s top player at its weakest position, we expect him to make the trek, and start.

Steven Vitoria, Moreirense (POR) - CB

We’re far from the biggest Vitoria fans (he gives us Tony Menezes vibes for some reason), but at 34 he put together a pretty solid season for an upper-mid-table Portuguese top tier side, and has scored 8 league goals over 2 seasons with Moreirense (in just 38 games). On the other hand, he’s racked up 14 yellow cards and 1 red in the same time, so maybe we don’t want to throw him into a huge CONCACAF game.. Either way, expect him to bring his valuable experience to the squad.

Sam Adekugbe, Valerenga (NOR) - LB

After an excellent 2020 season where his club finished third, Adekugbe seems to finally be getting the credit he deserves from Canadian supporters. His performances haven’t gone unnoticed in Europe either, having been linked with some larger clubs such as Russia’s Rostov in recent months. If he doesn’t make the journey, it’ll be a loss to Canada.

Kamal Miller, Montreal (MLS) - LB/CB

Miller’s versatility makes him an asset, and he’s looked pretty good so far this season for Montreal (a boneheaded play or two notwithstanding). He could be useful coming on in a more defensive fullback role against Suriname if the situation warrants.

Richie Laryea, Toronto (MLS) - RB

Are we ever stacked at rightback these days or what?! Even with Laryea’s performances in last couple of years, arguments could be made for others. But as King Hutch recommending him to Besiktas shows, there’s no denying that right now he’s Canada’s most talented attacking fullback. Strong performances this summer could help secure him that European move.

Zachary Brault-Guillard, Montreal (MLS) - RB

Beating out Alistair Johnston and Tajon Buchanan (c’mon, you know Herdman would use him here) is Montreal’s impressive ZBG, who’s had a strong start to the year despite a minor injury. He’ll be pushing Laryea for that starting spot hard over the next few years.

Midfield:

Atiba Hutchinson, Besiktas (TUR)

We can’t expect Atiba to come for a relatively meaningless Gold Cup later this summer, so why not get him over here fresh off another amazing double-winning season for the ageless wonder?! Just keep him away from centreback, will ya John?

Mark-Anthony Kaye, LAFC (MLS)

The engine of the midfield, Kaye’s inclusion is a no-brainer these days and is likely to start both matches. After an injury-shortened 2020 season, he’s played all but 31 minutes for LAFC this year and although they’ve yet to round into form, it hasn’t been due to Kaye’s performances.

David Wotherspoon, St. Johnstone (SCO)

Often underrated by most Canada supporters, Wotherspoon showed his class this season, leading St. Johnstone to both the League Cup and the Scottish Cup, and finishing as the club’s third top scorer in the process as they finished in the top half of the league. His experience will lend itself well to these fixtures and the relatively young group.

Stephen Eustáquio, Paços de Ferreira (POR)

Another who impressed in Europe this year, Eustáquio is almost certain to move on to a larger club this summer, with sides such as Napoli rumoured to be interested. Because of this, it’s possible he’ll want to stay in Europe to sort out a move, but if he makes it across the pond, he can be expected to start in a holding midfield role.

Samuel Piette, Montreal (MLS)

For the first time in ages, Piette hasn’t been an automatic starter for Wilfried Nancy’s Montreal side this season, although he has still seen his fair share of playing time. With the aforementioned Eustáquio entering the Canada frame, the same holds true for the national team. However, his tough tackling and ball retention skills still warrant a place in the squad, and likely an appearance or two as well.

Jonathan Osorio, Toronto (MLS)

Osorio’s just returning from an injury that’s severely limited his time this season, so this might be a set of games he sits out. But if he’s up to it, he’s still very much a regular in a 3-man midfield, particularly if Hutchinson doesn’t make it over.

Wingers and Strikers:

Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (GER)

What’s there to say? A no-brainer, for years to come, who’ll be arriving fresh off another Bundesliga title. Don’t even think of playing him at leftback, John.

Jonathan David, Lille OSC (FRA)

Another young star of another championship team. David scored and won a penalty to secure Lille the Ligue 1 title over PSG just last week, and will be bringing that great form against Aruba and Suriname.

Lucas Cavallini, Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS)

Just the one goal so far this year for an ever-struggling Vancouver side, but we know that Cavallini works in this system as a target man, and a finisher in the box. His physical presence is key in CONCACAF, and we’re expecting him to start both games.

Theo Corbeanu, Wolves (ENG)

Well, he finally got that Premier League appearance! Corbeanu looked like a natural in his Canada debut in March, and he’s continued to have a strong season in the Premier League 2, despite the limited first team minutes. He offers something off the bench in the second half that a side like Suriname, despite their additions, just doesn’t have available.

Cyle Larin, Besiktas (TUR)

What a turnaround for Larin, and kudos to Besiktas for having the faith in him. It always seemed like a bit of a quick move to Turkey for Larin, but last year’s loan to Zulte Waregem really woke him up, and all of a sudden we have a striker conundrum! Fortunately for us, Larin was used in various positions this year including both wings and up top, and it’s not far-fetched to say we could squeeze in a front 4 of him, Cavallini, Davies and David. Will Herdman be up for it? Only time will tell.

Junior Hoillett, unattached

What would a Canada squad be without a member from Unattached FC? This is a bit of a weird one given some of the other options available (honestly, Akindele deserves this spot but we can’t see it), but it’s more likely that Hoillett would join up with this Canada squad versus the Gold Cup later on when the club situation might be more sorted. Despite his lack of action in 2021, Hoillett has the experience and flair that could come in handy against Suriname.

Tyler Pasher, Houston Dynamo (MLS)

Had to throw one surprise in here (and we cut Manjrekar James to do it), and that’s Pasher. It was such a shame for him to pick up an injury after such a strong start to his Houston career, but he’s back now and could be a candidate for the squad. He hasn’t missed a beat making the step up from USL (where he scored some beauties - recommend watching all 3) to MLS, and he deserves this opportunity.

Just missing out: James Pantemis (Montreal), Manjrekar James (FC Midtjylland), Derek Cornelius (Vancouver), Harry Paton (Ross County), Liam Millar (Liverpool), Tesho Akindele (Orlando), Jacob Shaffelburg (Toronto)

So there you have it - our prediction for Canada’s World Cup Qualifiers squad for the matches against Aruba and Suriname next week, and our return to the Canadian footy blogosphere. Compare our predictions to what Herdman came up with, and let us know what you think...