It’s just about that time of year where the list of Canucks playing football is as lengthy as one can hope. The summer European leagues are set to kick off shortly, and the opening weekend of MLS took place with several Canadians to monitor over the year. In Europe, it was some of the same, however, as the fall/winter seasons head into the final stretch it is encouraging to see the bigger picture emerge with some of our players. Daniel Haber has not been potting in goals, but has remained a constant fixture in Cyprus with Ayia Napa week in week out. Randy Edwini-Bonsu looks to be settling back in after a short injury spell and earning more playing time with Stuttgarter Kickers in the 3.Liga in Germany. While Milan Borjan is finally playing week in week out as he earned 1-0 a clean sheet in Serbia with Radniki Nis this past weekend.
In England
While David Edgar did not feature this weekend in Huddersfield Town’s 2-0 loss to Rotherham United, likely having a sit after a poor outing in a 4-1 loss to Brentford, it is both in Blackburn and League One that continues to draw some interest from the CMNT perspective.
Many followed the mid-week exploits of Doneil Henry, who found out Wednesday that he had been sent out on loan from West Ham to Blackburn Rovers. Within that same day he traveled to Sheffield, arrived for the match and promptly started and played all 90 minutes in a 2-1 win for the Rovers. He did not see action this weekend in the FA Cup against Liverpool, however, next Wednesday will be the next league match when they host Bolton Wanderers.
It was a very rough start to the season for Marcus Haber and Crewe Alexandra, but since the new year, both have been in much improved form. Despite an awful 4-0 route mid-week away to Rochdale, Crewe came home this weekend and took care of business with Marcus Haber scoring the insurance goal in a 2-0 victory over Scunthorpe United. That puts 5 on the season for Haber, but most importantly has them tied for 17th with Scunthorpe and only two points away from Walsall who are sitting 16th. The next two games for Crewe will be a real test however, as they will be up against second placed Preston North End followed by top side Bristol City.
In Turkey
After a slip up in back to back league fixtures, Atiba Hutchinson’s Besiktas returned to their winning ways with Hutchinson scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Sivasspor. It was a fantastic finish for the midfielder, who found himself far forward and leapt onto a 40+ yard long ball to redirect it into the back of goal.
What is most crucial about this result is that Fenerbahce and Galatasaray went head to head this weekend with Fenerbahce winning 1-0. This closed the gap between Besiktas, who are now technically in second, and tied them at 51 points with Galatasaray. With Europa League still on the horizon, beginning Thursday against Club Brugge, Besiktas will be hosting 16th placed Kayseri Erciyesspor next weekend and look to remain in the race for the Super Lig title.
Atiba Hutchinson scores the winner to keep Besiktas in the race for the title.
Haber scores the insurance goal as Crewe get a much needed 2-0 with tough games ahead.
Here's how the rest of Canada's Internationals did Across the Pond:
David Monsalve – America de Cali (COL – D1:
Sunday, March 8, a 5-0 victory over Real Santandar.
Keven Aleman – Belén Siglo XXI (CR – D1):
Sunday, March 8, played in a 0-0 draw with UCR.
Daniel Haber – Ayia Napa (CPR – D1):
Sunday, March 8, played 87 minutes in a 0-0 draw with Nea Salamis.
David Edgar – Huddersfield Town (ENG - D2):
Tuesday, March 3, played 79 minutes in a 4-1 loss to Brentford.
Saturday, March 7, did not play in a 2-0 loss to Rotherham United.
Doneil Henry – Blackburn Rovers (ENG - D2):
Wednesday, March 4, played all 90 minutes in a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United.
Sunday, March 8, did not play in a 0-0 draw with Liverpool in the FA Cup.
Simeon Jackson – Coventry City (ENG – D3):
Saturday, March 7, subbed in at the 77th minute in a 3-2 loss to Port Vale.
Marcus Haber – Crewe Alexandra (ENG – D3):
Saturday, March 7, played 90+ minutes and scored A GOAL in a 2-0 victory over Scunthorpe United.
Iain Hume – Tramere Rovers (ENG – D4):
Saturday, March 7, did not play in a 3-2 loss to Dagenham & Redbridge.
Charlie Trafford (FIN – D1):
Next match, Sunday March 15 v PEPO in the Suomen Cup.
Jamar Dixon – JARO (FIN – D1):
Next match, Saturday March 14 v KPV in the Suomen Cup.
Andre Hainault – Aalen (GER – B2):
Saturday, March 7, did not play in a 1-1 draw with Greuther Furth.
Randy Edwini-Bonsu – Stuttgarter Kickers (GER – D3):
Saturday, March 7, subbed in at the 77th minute in a 4-2 victory over MSV Duisburg.
Nik Ledgerwood – Energie Cottbus (GER – D3):
Saturday, March 7, played all 90 minutes in a 2-1 victory over Mainz 05 II.
Daniel Stanese – Augsburg II (GER – D4):
Saturday, March 7, played all 90 minutes in a 3-1 victory over Bayreuth.
Tosaint Ricketts – Hapoel Haifa (ISR – D1):
Saturday, March 7, played all 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
Dejan Jakovic – Shimizu S-Pulse (JPN – D1):
Saturday, March 7, played all 90 minutes in a 3-1 win over Kashima Antlers.
Pedro Pacheco – Santa Clara (POR – D2):
Saturday, March 7, played in a 1-1 draw with Benfica II.
Luca Gasparotto – Airdieonians (SCO – D3):
Saturday, March 7, played all 90 minutes in a 0-0 draw with Brechin City.
Dylan Carreiro – Abroath (SCO – D4):
Saturday, March 7, played all 90 minutes in a 3-0 loss to Montrose.
Milan Borjan – Ludogorets (BUL – D1):
Saturday, March 7, played all 90 minutes in a 1-0 victory over Jagodina.
Samuel Piette – Deportivo La Coruna B (SPN – D4):
Sunday, March 8, played all 90 minutes in a 2-0 victory over Xuventu Sanxenxo.
Atiba Hutchinson – Besiktas (TUR – D1):
Sunday, March 8, played all 90 minutes and scored A GOAL in a 1-0 victory over Sivasspor.
Lucas Cavallini – Nacional (URU – D1):
Saturday, March 7, played all 90 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Defensor Sporting.
ACROSS THE BORDER
Jonathan Osorio – Toronto FC:
Saturday, March 7, played all 90 minutes in a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Russell Teibert – Vancouver Whitecaps:
Saturday, March 7, played 64 minutes in a 3-1 loss to Toronto FC.
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