After a couple of good weekends where Canadians were getting minutes on the pitch, as well as having performances of note, it has been a disappointing couple of days. Aside from a couple of players that are expected in the starting eleven, a large percentage of Canucks saw limited, if any, time this weekend. It will be interesting to see how Canada can perform later this week when they face the Czech Republic, followed shortly thereafter by Slovenia, with many of these players far from being regular starters for their clubs.
In Scandinavia
Last week saw one of Canada’s called up keepers finish the season on a strong note, with Kenny Stamatoupolos helping AIK in Sweden finish second place and secure a Europa League spot. This weekend saw Lars Hirschfeld once again get the nod to start between the sticks and his form of late has been good for Norway’s Valerenga, and it all came together as they defeated Sandnes ULF 2-0 at home. It has been a disappointing couple of seasons for the Oslo-based club, who were fighting at the top of the table at one point. But the last couple of years has seen them tumble into the middle of the table and this year fall into the bottom half. Hischfeld finished the year with a respectable series of results that saw them finish in eleventh.
In Turkey
Aside from Germany, this is another spot where Canadians have been making their name over the last few years. With two keepers already noted, it is disappointing to see that Milan Borjan has fallen off the radar at Sivasspor again and doesn’t look to be an option for Roberto Carlos. With Sivasspor in the midst of a very good streak of results, including this weekend’s 2-1 win over Bursaspor, that has them sitting third in the table and it seems unlikely he’ll find his way back into the starting lineup. It is reminiscent of the 2011/12 season where upon his arrival to the club was loaned out to FC Vaslui in the new year and had an amazing return to form. At only 26 years of age, he is still approaching his prime and will need to find another spot to earn weekly minutes if it’s not going to be with Sivasspor.
He can perhaps look to fellow National Team member Tosaint Ricketts in that finding the right fit for his strengths can turn around what was a poor year. Ricketts went from Valerenga to Sandnes ULF in Norway without making much of an impact. Now he is in the second division of Turkey with Bucaspor and the style of play in Turkey has suited his strengths and has allowed him to be a viable option to start each week. Even though it was another loss for Bucaspor this weekend, a 1-0 defeat to Ankaraspor, Ricketts continues to get the start and went the full ninety.
Lastly, it would not be a round up without noting arguably Canada’s classiest player, Atiba Hutchinson. After a string of draws, that saw them take a small drop from the top of the table, Besiktas are back to their winning ways as they soundly took care of Kayserispor 3-0. Hutchinson got the start and continues to be a fixture with his club side, however, he was not called up to Canada’s friendly and will definitely be missed in thei upcoming game against the Czech Republic.
Here's how the rest of Canada's Internationals did Across the Pond:
Daniel Haber – Apollon Limassol (CPR – D1):
Next match, Monday November 11 v Enosis.
David Edgar – Burnley (ENG - D2):
Saturday, November 9, did not play in a 1-1 draw with AFC Bournemouth.
Iain Hume – Preston North End (ENG – D3):
Saturday, November 9, did not play in a 6-0 victory over Barnet in the FA Cup.
Marcus Haber – Notts County (ENG – D3):
Saturday, November 9, did not play in a 3-0 loss to Coventry City.
Marcel De Jong – FC Augsburg (GER - D1):
Satruday, November 9, did not play in a 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich.
Simeon Jackson – Eintracht Braunschweig (GER – D1):
Friday, November 8, subbed in at the 90+ in a 0-0 draw with Hannover 96.
Kevin McKenna – FC Koln (GER – B2):
Sunday, November 10, did not play in a 1-0 loss to Bochum.
Rob Friend – 1860 Munich (GER – B2):
Saturday, November 9, did not play in a 1-0 victory over Arminia Bielefeld.
Olivier Occean – Kaiserslautern (GER - D1):
Saturday, November 9, subbed in at the 79th minute in a 4-0 victory over FSV Frankfurt.
Andre Hainault – Aalen (GER – B2):
Friday, November 8, did not play in a 2-0 loss to Ingolstadt.
Adam Straith – Wehen Wiesbaden (GER - D3):
Saturday, November 9, subbed in at the 87th minute in a 2-1 victory over Chemnitzer F.
Julian De Guzman – Skoda Xanthi (GRE – D1):
Next match, Monday November 11 v Asteras Tripolis.
Tomer Chencinski – Maccabi Tel Aviv (ISR – D1):
Next match, Monday November 11 v Maccabi Petah Tikva FC.
Roberto Stillo – Perugia (ITA – D3):
Sunday, November 10, did not play in a 2-0 victory over L’Aquila.
Lars Hirschfeld – Valerenga (NOR – D1):
Sunday, November 10, played all 90 minutes and kept a CLEAN SHEET in a 2-0 victory over Sandnes ULF.
Pedro Pacheco – Santa Clara (POR – D2):
Sunday, November 10, played in a 2-1 loss to Desportivo Aves.
Atiba Hutchinson – Besiktas (TUR – D1):
Saturday, November 9, played all 90 minutes in a 3-0 victory over Kayserispor.
Milan Borjan – Sivasspor (TUR – D1):
Saturday, November 9, did not play in a 2-1 victory over Bursaspor.
Tosaint Ricketts – Bucaspor (TUR – D2):
Saturday, November 9, played all 90 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Ankaraspor.
Lucas Cavallini – Nacional (URU – D1):
Thursday, November 7, did not play in a 5-3 loss to Defensor Sporting.
ACROSS THE BORDER
Will Johnson converts the penalty kick to start off Portland's 3-2 win over the Seattle Sounders.
Will Johnson scores again, opening up the game but it wasn't enough as Portland lost 4-2 in the first leg of the MLS Semi Finals to Real Salt Lake.
Kofi Opare – Los Angeles Galaxy:
Thursday, November 7, played 106 minutes in a 2-0 loss to Real Salt Lake in the MLS Cup playoffs.
Will Johnson – Portland Timbers:
Thursday, November 7, played all 90 minutes and scored A GOAL in a 3-2 victory over the Seattle Sounders.
Sunday, November 10, played all 90 minutes and scored A GOAL in a 4-2 loss to Real Salt Lake.
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