Whoare the best football players from Canada? The greatest soccer players born in Canada or who played on the Canadian national football team are some of the best soccer players of all time. While the Canada men's national team has a long and storied history of producing top international talent, fans of the Maple Leafs have been waiting for Les Rouges to capture international glory for some time now. So, who are the best footballers from Canada? Who is the best Canadian soccer player of all time?
Some of the best Canadian soccer players include national legends like Dwayne De Rosario, Atiba Hutchinson, Milan Borjan, and Alex Bunbury. There are also current Canada football stars such as Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, and Cyle Larin, who are making an impact across international football.
Jonathan David's meteoric ascent from a promising youngster to an indispensable attacking force for both Lille OSC in France's Ligue 1 and the Canadian national team speaks volumes about his innate skill and determination. Combining intelligent off-the-ball movement with ice-cold finishing ability, David has earned a reputation as a fearsome goal-scorer and creative playmaker. With his unerring ability to read the game and make a tangible impact, it's no wonder that this impressive young talent continues to turn heads and dominate the sport.
Tajon Buchanan's eye-catching performances for the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer have solidified him as one of Canada's most exciting and promising rising stars. Bursting onto the scene with his exhilarating dribbling skills, lightning-fast footwork, and exceptional ability to create scoring opportunities, Buchanan has quickly become a standout talent within the league. As he continues to develop and refine his game, there's no doubt that this dynamic attacker will leave a lasting legacy on Canadian soccer.
Regardless of the passage of time, Atiba Hutchinson remains an integral figure for both Canada's national team and Turkish giants Besiktas, where he has firmly established himself as a midfield maestro. Boasting enviable composure on the ball, exceptional vision, and tireless work rate, Hutchinson has consistently showcased his versatility in playing various roles within the midfield. With his invaluable experience and unwavering commitment to the sport, there's no doubt that Hutchinson will be remembered as one of Canada's finest ever players.
Canadian midfielder Stephen Eustquio has rapidly emerged as a standout performer within the ranks of Portugal's Primeira Liga with his current club, Paos de Ferreira. Demonstrating tenacious ball-winning abilities, impressive passing range, and an astute tactical awareness, Eustquio has consistently shown that he can compete at the highest level. With a bright future ahead of him, this burgeoning talent will undoubtedly continue making waves both domestically and internationally.
A talented and composed goalkeeper, Maxime Crpeau has emerged as a stalwart presence between the sticks for both Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the Canadian national team. With exceptional reflexes, commanding aerial ability, and notable composure under pressure, Crpeau has consistently demonstrated why he's regarded as one of Canada's top goalkeepers. As he continues to showcase his skills on the domestic and international stage, his impact on Canadian soccer is undeniable.
This annual tournament was reinstated to its rightful post-Christmas scheduling last December following a pair of pandemic-disrupted versions. The well-received return pleased players and fans alike who've reliably turned up each year for a showcase of the sport's brightest young stars.
Originally set to be hosted in Novosibirsk, Russia, the tournament was moved to the Canadian cities of Moncton, New Brunswick and Halifax, Nova Scotia after the International Olympic Committee called for Russia to be stripped of its international hosting rights amid its invasion of Ukraine.
In the end, it was the new host country defending its title with a 3-2 over win over Czechia to claim a second straight gold medal (and 20th tournament gold overall). That silver medal earned by Czechia was its first since 2005. Future 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick Connor Bedard led the tournament in scoring with 23 points and was named MVP.
This year's version takes place in Gothenburg, Sweden, where all 10 countries competed in pre-tournament action last week. Group A is comprised of Canada, Sweden, Finland, Germany and Latvia; they will compete in round-robin play Dec. 26-31 in Scandinavium, Gothenburg. Group B -- containing Czechia, the United States, Slovakia, Switzerland and Norway -- will play in Frolundaborg, Gothenburg for their round-robin action through those same dates.
There you have it: The World Junior Championship roadmap. Now, what should we be paying attention to along the way? Let's flesh out what's to come -- and answer a few questions -- that could define this season's tournament.
The 17-year-old forward is among a handful of players in the mix to go No. 1 this coming June. A native of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Celebrini committed to Boston University for the 2023-24 season, where he's produced 10 goals and 25 points in 15 games thus far. That's in follow up to him collecting 46 goals and 86 points for the USHL's Chicago Steel in 2022-23 and a top-tier showing for Canada at the under-18 championship earlier this year (he scored 15 points in seven games).
This will be Celebrini's first World Junior Championship experience, and he's already created some drama. Celebrini was ejected from Canada's pre-tournament game against Switzerland on Friday for checking forward Leo Braillard into the boards from behind. That drew Celebrini a five-minute major and game misconduct for boarding; Braillard also left the ice and wouldn't return as Canada went on to win, 6-3.
Dangerous hit aside, Celebrini's overall potential will be monitored closely as Canada rolls through the tournament. While he might not be on Bedard's level, Celebrini is a dynamic, fast-paced player in his own right, with goal-scoring and playmaking ability. Celebrini has been able to shine early on from his second-line perch alongside Fraser Minten and Jordan Dumais, all three of whom scored in Canada's 8-0 win over a under-25 team from Denmark last week.
Given the other possible top picks Celebrini will be going against -- including Cole Eiserman of the United States and Finland's Aron Kiviharju -- the next couple weeks are a perfect opportunity for him to start separating from the pack.
The United States' roster is stacked with 10 first-round picks from recent drafts, including Cutter Gauthier (fifth overall in 2022, by the Flyers), Team USA captain Rutger McGroarty (14th in 2022, Jets) and Sam Rinzel (25th in 2022, Blackhawks). Those are also three of the seven returning players the United States has on board (compared to just one returnee -- Owen Beck -- for the defending champion Canadians) and there's ample international and domestic experience in their ranks.
Gauthier, for example, is coming off an impressive seven-goal showing at the IIHF's men's world championship last spring. And he'll be supported at this year's event by six of his Boston College teammates, including forward Will Smith (who was selected fourth overall by San Jose in 2023 and paced the most recent under-18 world championship tournament with 20 points).
Add it all up, from formidable forward depth to a smart, solidly built blue line to a No. 1 goaltender (Trey Augustine, a Red Wings pick in 2023) projecting to be vastly improved over last year's disappointing semifinal loss, and the United States looks poised for greatness.
Time will tell if that translates into a sixth golden finale for the USA, though. And we know Canada won't be dethroned without a fight, especially after the Boston Bruins recently sent top rookie Matt Poitras to boost Canada's roster further.
The Slovakians did it last year when they topped the U.S. in a pre-tournament game and then narrowly avoided eliminating Canada altogether with a 4-3 overtime loss during the quarterfinals. (Who could forget the stellar, 53-save performance by current Blackhawks prospect Adam Gajan in that one?)
Its road to a silver finish last year -- which doubled its all-time medal count after a bronze medal showing in 2005 -- was unexpected, and propelled by its unmistakable offensive prowess. Jiri Kulich (the 28th overall pick of the Sabres' in 2022), Adam Jiricek (a top defensive prospect competing for that No.1 overall slot in 2024) and Tomas Galvas (also draft-eligible in 2024) should lead a hungry group of Czech skaters eager to show their success in 2023 was no fluke.
The big question here is who will replace Tomas Suchanek in net? Suchanek was one of the best goalies in last year's tournament, and it'll be Michael Hrabal (a second-round draft choice by the Coyotes in 2023) looking to fill his skates this time around.
It's hard to call the Swedes underdogs. But they do have a hasty habit of failing to thrive when the round robin ends, and knockout rounds begin. Sweden has won gold only twice -- in 1981 and 2012 -- and its most recent result was a 2-1 overtime loss in last year's quarterfinal matchup against Czechia. Sweden has appeared in back-to-back bronze medal games, losing there last year to the United States.
A similar outcome this year would be disappointing for the Swedes, particularly on home ice, and they've got the personnel in place to avoid such a fate. Frankly, it looks like Sweden could be one of the top teams to beat.
Head coach Magnus Havelid has already recognized that by splitting up Sweden's three best forwards -- Liam hgren (the 19th pick in 2022, by the Wild), Noah Ostlund (16th in 2022, Sabres) and Jonathan Lekkerimki (15th in 2022, Canucks) -- to give the top six more punch. Those skaters previously dominated with Djurgrdens IF in the Swedish Hockey League, and now Sweden is so saturated with skilled players internationally it allowed Havelid to maximize their contributions by moving hgren to the second line.
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