Cavs' Carducci could see time for Canada in upcoming friendlies
Canada is calling again on Marco Carducci.
The nation’s top men’s soccer squad has asked the Cavalry FC goalkeeper to join it for its 12-day camp in California that includes three friendlies in 10 days.
“Any opportunity to represent my country is an amazing feeling, and I’m honoured to get the callup again,” said Carducci, who was invited last September for a pair of CONCACAF Nations League matches against Cuba but didn’t see any action.
“I’ve made it clear that it’s my intention to be a regular with the national team and to eventually be the starting goalkeeper in the future, so I’m grateful and excited for another chance to take a step towards those goals.”
Carducci, a 23-year-old Calgary native, has a good chance to slot into at least one of the matches: two against Barbados on Tuesday and Friday and one against Iceland the following Wednesday, all slated for Orange County Great Park in Irvine, Calif.
That’s because Canada’s firststring goalkeeper Milan Borjan won’t be in attendance due to club duties with Red Star Belgrade in the Serbian Superliga.
It’s likely, then, that head coach John Herdman will turn to veteran Maxime Crepeau, of Major League Soccer’s Vancouver Whitecaps, to stand guard for
Canada in the net for at least two games.
Like Carducci, the third goalie in camp, James Pantemis, of MLS’ Montreal Impact, has yet to debut for Canada.
Carducci first caught the eye of Herdman with his stellar play during the inaugural Canadian Premier League campaign. He got that initial call-up for September camp after starting the season with eight clean sheets and 43 saves during CPL action on a Cavs team that fired off a successful 16-5-5 record overall.
And then the Cavalry star turned heads at Canada’s camp with his committed work ethic.
“He’s doing a really good job,” Borjan told CPL.CA in September. “I’m really surprised, actually. This is the first time I’ve met him, but he has a bright future in front of him.”
That has always been the plan for Carducci, who continues to make it clear that he doesn’t want to just be a backup ’keeper for Canada as his career rolls on.
A healthy view of his time at the national team’s first camp has furthered his ambition.
“It was great being involved previously and getting a good idea about the culture of the team, the style of play and tactical expectations and, of course, to build relationships with the other players and coaching staff,” Carducci said.
“I feel having been in the environment before will allow me to be more comfortable and confident going in and gives me the opportunity to really grow within the national team picture.”
The 6-foot-1 former star of both Mckenzie United community soccer and the Calgary Villains program does have a combined eight appearances for Canada’s national team, but they are at the under-17, under-20 and under-23 levels.
“This is another feather in the cap for Marco on the back of an outstanding season with us,” said Cavalry Gm/head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr.
“It provides another opportunity for him to go into the Canada camp and impress their staff and teammates with his quality, character and work ethic as he does day in, day out with us here at the Cavalry.”
Two fellow CPL stars — Forge FC midfielder and reigning league MVP Tristan Borges and FC Edmonton defender Amer Didic — also accepted invites for Canada’s 26-man camp in Socal.
Besides Borges, five other Canadians received their first call-ups to the national team.
And Carducci joins a fivesome of invitees who have yet to suit up for Canada despite making their way to previous camps.
That makes for an inexperienced crew of campers.
“It’s a great way to start the year with three international matches and the opportunity to work with 26 players, including players who are new to the men’s national team or have been on our radar in 2019,” Herdman said. “Outside of the FIFA window, it is a difficult period to assemble players due to club and off-season commitments, but this gives us the opportunity to introduce young players who we have monitored throughout 2019 and have continued to impress at the club or international level.
“When this fall comes around, we will be in a demanding FIFA World Cup qualifiers campaign either through the CONCACAF hex or CONCACAF’S alternate qualifying route, so these three matches will give us valuable international experience, especially for our depth. It will also give us an opportunity to gain some valuable FIFA ranking points, so we have to thank the many professional clubs for their support in releasing their players to represent their country.”
I’ve made it clear that it’s my intention to be a regular with the national team and to ... be the starting goalkeeper in the future ...