Canadian team gets a Scottish boost
NEW ARRIVAL: Scott Arfield joins national squad just in time for important World Cup qualifier with Mexico
Scott Arfield set foot in Canada for the first time this week. On Friday, he’ll pull on the red and white kit ahead of one of the most anticipated FIFA World Cup-qualifying games in this country’s history.
Canada Soccer expects a sold-out B.C. Place — around 55,000 — for the Mexico match (7 p.m., TSN2, TSN 1410).
“I should probably lie, but I’ve not (been to Canada before),” Arfield, the 27-year-old Burnley winger, born and raised outside Edinburgh in Scotland, said with a laugh Monday.
He looked around the near-empty stadium, picturing the wild scenes to come in this penultimate round of CONCACAF qualifying.
“Now, I feel real Canadian,” he said. Just wait until kickoff. Arfield was eligible for Canada through his Toronto-born dad, who has long been on his case to commit to Les Rouges.
That prodding, combined with a lack of interest from Scotland and plenty of encouragement from Canadian international David Edgar, an ex-Burnley teammate, led to Arfield’s decision.
He called Edgar “a driving force” behind filing his one-time switch, having played U19s and U21s with Scotland.
“It was actually a passing comment about two years ago,” said Arfield. “I said my dad was born in Toronto and David got in touch with Benito (Floro, Canadian coach) and Morgan (Quarry, team manager).
“Obviously it was a long journey from the decision to now and I’m delighted to be here.”
He’ll be welcomed, of course, just like other recent dual national debutantes — Junior Hoilett, Fraser Aird and Steven Vitoria.
You can pick apart how each of those decisions went down, but after years of being Plan B for some players, Canada’s feeling like a destination of choice.
There’s momentum. There’s belief. There’s hope. There’s also a huge test in front of them in Mexico, the world’s 22nd-ranked team. Canada has a home win over Honduras and a tie in El Salvador through two games. Mexico is 2-0.
The top two countries — after the final round of games in September — will advance to the last round of CONCACAF qualifying, known as the Hex.
“It’s my first time training with the boys, but when you see the depth, it’s impressive,” said Arfield. “They say this is the best (Canadian) squad they’ve ever been in, and when you’ve got people like Jules (Julian de Guzman) and Atiba (Hutchinson) saying that, I think it stands you in good stead. We’ve got a fantastic opportunity to (qualify for the Hex). Hopefully this game can be the one that will kick-start us.”
Arfield’s added to that depth he speaks of. Like Hoilett, he gives Canada a new threat out wide. That’s been a rarity for Canada, who’ve long relied on defensive structure, heart and grit, and teamwork — and will continue to, but with a sprinkling of flair and counter-attacking ability.
Arfield’s also coming into this week in great form for a Burnley team that’s flying in the English Championship. That can only help.
Burnley’s sitting top of the Championship standings, unbeaten in 14 games and on pace for automatic promotion to the Premier League, where Arfield played for them in 2014-15, scoring in the seasonopener against Chelsea.
This season, he has seven goals — third-best on the team — and a team-high six assists in 38 league appearances.
Floro could hardly have asked for a better time to bring Arfield in, although the coach said he’d have to ponder Arfield’s involvement carefully.
“It’s a special situation because he’s a very good player who is playing a lot of games at his club,” said Floro. “But we need to balance this, because we play according to several tactical matters and we need to realize (that this takes time to learn) in training, for Scott to achieve the good movements according to other players.
“But I trust that if he’s not a starter, he’ll make his debut (as a substitute).”
Said Arfield: “I don’t think I’m just going to come in here and cement a place. I need to train well and hopefully I can get that starting jersey.”
One thing that’s certain: On Friday, Canada’s going to walk out in front of 50,000-plus fans, and have to perform.
It’s the kind of challenge Arfield says he relishes, and one he’s experienced since being a teen at Falkirk in Scotland.
“You can’t get caught up in big crowds, and that was drummed into me from a young age, going against Celtic and Rangers,” he said. “It was massive at 18 when you play in front of 60,000. You can’t afford to go and get fazed by it.”
Whether Arfield gets the chance to show what he can offer at B.C. Place, or Tuesday in the madness of Estadio Azteca, we’ll have to wait and see.
Regardless, his teammates are pleased to have him on board. Another attacking piece for this Canadian team that’s growing in confidence at a crucial time.