Hope for Eustáquio with Cup qualifying roster set

Stephen Eustáquio is on Canada’s roster for an upcoming set of World Cup men’s soccer qualifiers, starting Thursday, despite reports over the weekend that he’d tested positive for COVID-19.

The news doesn’t guarantee the 25-year-old midfielder will play, but arrived soon after he officially joined Portuguese Primeira Liga giant FC Porto on loan from FC Paços de Ferreira, his new club announced Monday. It’s a big step for the native of Leamington, Ont., who will play for the front-runner in Portugal’s top division and has an option to eventually buy out the loan.

“I leave with the feeling of accomplishment and with friendships I know will last forever,” Eustáquio wrote, in Portuguese, about the move on Instagram.

The Canadians are unbeaten (40-4) and lead their eight-team qualifying group, from which three will earn berths in this year’s World Cup in Qatar and a fourth will advance to a last-chance playoff. Canada hasn’t qualified for the men’s Cup since 1986.

They will visit Honduras on Thursday, then host the U.S. on Sunday at Hamilton’s Tim Hortons Field before travelling to El Salvador for the final game of the window next Wednesday. Adding Eustáquio suggests that even if he is dealing with COVID, as reports out of Portugal indicate, coach John Herdman sees a chance he will return and contribute.

The team is already without star Alphonso Davies with mild inflammation of the heart muscle after a bout of COVID, but will have Tajon Buchanan, Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Ike Ugbo — all playing for clubs that are in season and capable of mitigating that loss.

Eustáquio, who has been at the heart of Canada’s transition play throughout qualifying, would be trickier to replace. Candidates such as Mark-Anthony Kay and Jonathan Osorio are currently out of season. That could leave a lot more midfield responsibility to 38-yearold Atiba Hutchinson, at least early on, if Eustáquio isn’t good to go. A committee solution might be the answer.

“This will be a tough window,” Herdman said in a release, “but we are strong and will embrace the challenges as we continue to take it one match at a time.”

The full 25-player roster, released Monday:

■ Goalkeepers: Milan Borjan, Maxime Crépeau, Jayson Leutwiler

■ Defenders: Derek Cornelius, Doneil Henry, Scott Kennedy, Kamal Miller, Steven Vitoria, Samuel Adekugbe, Cristián Gutiérrez, Alistair Johnston, Richie Laryea

■ Midfielders: Eustáquio, Hutchinson, Kaye, Osorio, Liam Fraser, Samuel Piette

■ Forwards: Buchanan, David, Larin, Ugbo, Lucas Cavallini, Liam Millar, Junior Hoilett