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While many Canadian soccer fans are likely less enthused to follow the 2011 MLS Playoffs than they would be if either Toronto FC or the Vancouver Whitecaps had qualified, the post season is not completely lacking in Canadian content. Canadian International Will Johnson played ninety minutes as Real Salt Lake took a commanding lead in the home leg of their Western Conference semifinal against the Seattle Sounders with a 3-0 home win last Saturday. And Houson central defender Andre Hainault was also a key performer in the Dynamo's 2-1 win at PPL Park in the opening leg of their Eastern Conference semifinal, as the Quebec born Canadian Men's National Team centre back scored the opening goal in the 5th minute of the match. For Hainault, his central performance was very much a continuation of a season with a resurgent Dynamo squad in which he has become one of the key cogs on the team and a fundamental part of the team's spine. Furthermore, while the 6 foot 2 central defender does not score often, he has shown a particular penchant for scoring important goals off of set pieces in 2011.
In addition to his header past a helpless Faryd Mondragon on Sunday, it was another Hainault goal off of a set piece that played a huge part in Houston clinching a spot in the 2011 MLS Playoffs after the team had missed out on the postseason in 2010 mainly due to an exodus of a number of their key players to other teams and leagues. With the Dynamo still fighting to clinch a playoff berth last month, Hainault made the decision to turn down a call-up to represent the Canadian Men's National Team in their October World Cup qualifying matches against St. Lucia and Puerto Rico and the versatile defender incurred significant heat from Canadian National Team defenders for choosing to stay in Texas and focus primarily on Houston's key fixtures.
In hindsight, it looks like the 25 year old made the right choice, as he scored a key goal against Portland to help his team clinch entry into the postseason. With Canada winning 7-0 against St. Lucia and drawing against Puerto Rico in two October matches, it's possible but not likely that Hainault could have made a difference in either of those results against lower ranked opposition. And with Canada having essentially wrapped up their Group and qualification for the next round, Hainault was right to stay with his club, where he is now a team leader and a young MLS veteran.
While some National Team supporters will never see a situation in which a player should turn down a chance to represent their country, Hainault's calculated and rational decision to abstain from International duty could have several positive repercussions for Canada in the future. CMNT Head Coach Stephen Hart has always stated that he not only wants his players to be playing regularly at high levels, but that if they gain can experience in high pressure matches and important competitions, it is all the better for the player's development and their future performances for Canada.
In this season, Hainault has likely gained more playing and succeeding in a high pressure match like the one against Portland and ultimately competing again in the MLS Playoffs than we would have facing off against the semi-pros that make up the bulk of the St. Lucia roster. And with the central defender not only playing as a defensive stalwart for the Dynamo, but also as a set piece specialist with a genuine nose for the net, the confidence building and experience that the Canadian International is gaining while playing meaningful matches can only be a positive for a Canadian squad that has often struggled to score against the better teams in the CONCACAF region.
While Philadelphia could yet come back and win their Eastern Conference semifinal against Houston, if the Dynamo can proceed on a long run in the playoffs with Hainault playing a key role on the back line, it could end up being the type of experience that is akin to what Will Johnson has enjoyed in the past in both winning the 2009 MLS Cup and finishing as a finalist in the CONCACAF Champions League with Real Salt Lake.
You would be hard pressed to find a single naysayer who would state that those two experiences were not key in Johnson's transformation from a fringe Canadian National Team player to the position of a de facto starter in the Canadian midfield. Furthermore, while Hainault was unavailable in October, the team gained a chance to look at and give critical World Cup qualifying experience to central defenders Adam Straith and David Edgar, who both passed their tests with flying colours and proved that Canada has more depth at the centre back position than many had previously thought.
In many ways, Hainault is a textbook example of how important the MLS can be in terms of developing Canadian talent. After struggling to earn regular playing time as a professional in the Czech Republic, he signed with MLS and quickly established himself as a starter with Houston. In three seasons, he has developed consistently playing at both centre back and as a full back and has now emerged as both a veteran team leader and a player who scores goals in the big games.
While the fact that the MLS does not always recognize the International calender is unfortunate, it's also important to remember that the club level is where a player gains the most experience and develops his game via repetition in real match situations. With 24 caps to his name thus far, Hainault has generally always answered the call for his country. And when Stephen Hart decides whether or not to call up the defender for Canada's November World Cup qualifiers, he will need to determine what is in the best long term interest of both the player and the Canadian National Team if Houston is still alive in the MLS Playoffs.
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