The Canadians inched closer to confirming a spot at the World Cup in Qatar, the first time since 1986. In doing so, the team moved a few spots higher in the world rankings, to 33rd, after some inspired victories in the qualifying round.
A run of three consecutive 2-0 victories during recent qualifying matches saw Canada hold top position in their group that nearly guaranteed its ticket to the 2022 tournament.
The country’s excitement is at an all-time high. Canadian legend Dwayne De Rosario, one of the country’s former players, has actively been supporting Canada throughout its qualifying journey.
“They’re playing with so much tenacity, so much flair, so much freedom, and of course winning,” De Rosario said. “This is an exciting team, and it’s an exciting time for soccer in Canada.
“I’m very happy and proud to see how well they’re doing, unbeaten in qualifiers,” he said.
As a former captain and star player for the national team, De Rosario knows what it means to play at an elite level. Just to name some of his achievements, he is a four-time MLS Cup champion, the 2011 MLS Most Valuable Player, and on Canada’s only squad to ever win the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
“The reason the current team is so dangerous is because they play with no fear,” he said. “They go into tough environments and they’re willing to set the tone and stamp their authority on the game.”
De Rosario was a key player for a talented Canadian side that lifted the Gold Cup, but he said representing Canada in the World Cup was something that would have completed his international career.
“As a footballer, playing in the World cup is every kid’s dream, including mine,” he said. “I was fortunate enough to play in the U-20 World Cup, but the ultimate dream was always to represent Canada in the men’s World Cup.”
Alex Bunbury, a dangerous attacker for Canada who peaked in the 1990s, also wishes to have played in a World Cup.
Bunbury is the top scorer for C.S. Maritimo in Portugal’s top league, he was the first Canadian player to score a hat trick in a World Cup qualifying game, and was the first Canadian player to be named Canadian Player of the Year.
But there’s something missing in his resume, he said.
“So when you think of all of those things, and the one thing that eluded me was the opportunity to showcase my talent and play with great players on that stage at the World Cup, it would have been something,” Bunbury said.
He said he’s thrilled to see how far Canada has come. He currently coaches young players at the Alex Bunbury Soccer Academy in Minneapolis, a place where the next generation of players train to become professionals.
Bunbury says the key difference between the current Canadian squad and the one he played on comes down to talent.
“I think, overall, there’s more talent,” he said. “Some people might look at that and say, ‘what are you talking about?’ Because our team in the ’90s had some exceptional players at the highest level.
“But I think because the game has grown so much, we have so many players playing abroad in top European leagues,” Bunbury said. “When I went to Europe and signed for West Ham United, I was probably one or two players that were playing at the highest level in all of North America, maybe five or six.
“But now you have so many young, talented players playing abroad,” he said.
The top player to burst onto the scene shortly after Bunbury’s time with Canada is Martin Nash.
Nash is a former midfielder for Canada who also played a pivotal role in achieving Gold Cup glory for Canada. He was recently announced as the latest coach for the Canadian Premier League’s York United FC.
He believes the recent surge in the country’s success internationally has driven younger players to strive for more in their careers.
“I know my players would love to represent Canada,” he said. “Seeing how strong the team has become and how much success they’ve enjoyed in recent months motivates these younger players to make it to the international stage even more.”
Nash said being a part of Canada’s coaching staff could also be a future aspiration for him, but at the moment he is focused on succeeding with York United.
He said although Canada will be granted automatic qualification when they host the next World cup, it is crucial for them to perform at the highest level and keep up their performance in future qualifiers.
“I think one World Cup is great, but we’ve done that before,” Nash said. “If we can make it to multiple World Cups, it will really help develop the game in this country. I honestly believe that this current group has the ability to make an appearance in more than one World Cup, which would be fantastic.”