BY JAMES ROSS – FAN FUEL BLOGGER
As Canada heads forward towards a chance at making the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, I’d like to take time to look at whom I consider to be the top ten Male Canadian soccer players of all time.
There are a more than a few honourable mentions, and I’m sure there will be some debate, but here they are:
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10. Atiba Hutchinson – This 28-year-old midfielder is a current stalwart of our National side. Atiba has already been capped 55 times, and is a current member of Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven. The big guy is a creative force in the center of the park for both club and country. Atiba has also spent time in Europe with Norwegian side Helsingborg and Danish side FC Copenhagen. Here’s hoping his recent injury problems disappear so he can help Canada take the stage at Brazil in 2014.
9. Lyndon Hooper – Born in Guyana, Hooper’s family moved to Nepean, Ontario at age 11, right down the road from where I grew up. I actually played against Lyndon in a tournament during high school at his school JS Woodsworth (my school being Merivale), and was amazed how he could control a ball so well at full flight on a bumpy, uneven field. His younger sister is Charmaine Hooper, arguably one of the greatest female players of all time in women’s soccer. With 67 caps to his credit, he is the fourth highest capped Canadian of all time. Lyndon actually played much of his soccer in North America, with a brief two-year stint at English side Birmingham.
8. Jason De Vos – The huge central defender (standing at 6’4″) was a key member of the Men’s team that won the 2000 Gold Cup, scoring the winning goal in our triumph over Colombia in the final. Capped by Canada 49 times, Jason had a lengthy European career, where he played for Darlington, Dundee United, Wigan Athletic and Ipswich Town. A great leader and captain, Jason’s commanding performances marshalling our defence were one of the key reasons we captured the 2000 Gold Cup.
7. Bruce Wilson – The stay at home defender was capped 51 times by Canada, and was selected in 1998 as a member of the CONCACAF dream team of the century, the only Canadian player to be so honoured. Wilson had a lengthy carer in the North American Soccer League, playing with the Vancouver Whitecaps, Chicago Sting, New York Cosmos and the Toronto Blizzard. He has the second most appearances ever in the NASL, at 299.
6. Bob Lenarduzzi – The current president of the Vancouver Whitecaps, Bob has served Canadian soccer well in many capacities over the decades. Starting with English side Reading at age 15, Bob went on to play eleven straight seasons for the Vancouver Whitecaps in the North American Soccer League, setting a record for all time appearances in the NASL at 312. He was a member of the 1986 team that went to the World Cup, and has twice managed the Men’s National team.
5. Alex Bunbury – Similar to Lyndon Hooper, Alex was also originally born in Guyana. Alex started his pro career in England with West Ham, but moved to AC Maritimo after an unsuccessful season with the Hammers. He hit his stride in Portugal with Maritimo, where he is still their all time leading goal scorer in the top flight of Portugese football. He moved back to North America and played with MLS side Kansas City before retiring from the game. Alex was capped 64 times by Canada, scoring 16 times for his country.
4. Randy Samuel – The second most capped player of all time at 82, Randy was born in Trinidad but grew up in Richmond, British Columbia. The big defender played much of his professional football in Holland with PSV Eindhoven and Fortuna Sittard, as well as English side Port Vale and Norwegian side Harstad. Like most on this page, he is a member of the Candian Soccer Hall of Fame.
3. Paul Stalteri – This Etobicoke native is the current record holder for caps for the Canadian National team, having been capped 84 times for country. The hard working fullback began his European career with Werder Bremen, where he spent eight successful seasons. He then moved to English side Tottenham Hotspur, spending 4 seasons with the London giants, before moving back to Germany to ply his trade with Borussia Monchengladbach. His great engine and versatility (he’s played as a defender, midfielder and striker for Canada) has endeared him to National team fans over the past two decades. Currently unattached, it would be nice to see Paul finish his playing days with one of the our professional teams in Canada.
2. Dwayne De Rosario – A three-time Canadian Soccer Player of the Year, DeRo has chosen to stay in North America to play soccer professionally, and he’s had great success doing so. He’s suited up for five different MLS sides, starting with San Jose, then moving from Houston to Toronto to New York and finally now with DC United, his third different club this past season! New York Red Bull teammate (and French legend) Thierry Henry described De Rosario as s follows: “In this league I haven’t seen anybody better than Dwayne De Rosario… for me, he’s the face of the league.” His list of honours in MLS is extensive. He’s twice scored the winning goal in the MLS Cup final. He won “Goal of the Season” honours in back-to-back seasons, 2004 and 2005. Dwayne has been capped 65 times for Canada, scoring 19 times.
1. Craig Forrest – The Sportsnet commentator was the key man in what is arguably Canada’s finest soccer moment, which was winning the 2000 Gold Cup. Voted both best keeper as well as tournament MVP, Forrest’ brilliant performances between the sticks during that tournment did us all proud. The keeper was capped 56 times by Canada, and had a long and storied career in England. He played for Ipswich Town, Colchester United, Chelsea and West Ham. His 14-year stay at Ipswich defined his career, winning keeper of the month for the Premiership in October of 1994. In short, Mr Forrest has literally been the face of Candian soccer for over two decades. He is the current FIFA ambassador for SOS Children’s Villages. Though much has been made of two drubbings he received in net at the hands of Manchester United, lost in that was his great displays in helping Ipswich draw United twice at Old Trafford in 1993 and 1994, and as well as two victories over United at Ipswich’s home ground Portman Road in 1993 and 1994.
So, a toast to Craig Forrest, who I feel is the greatest of all time to come out of Canada in the sport of soccer.
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