Canada’s roster: Hutchinson’s back, two players could make national-team debuts against Jamaica

Atiba Hutchinson PHOTO: BOB FRID/CANADA SOCCER

Atiba Hutchinson’s time for thinking is over. Canada’s veteran midfielder will make his return to the national side.

Hutchinson, who, despite being in his mid 30s, is still in prime form for Besiktas, is part of coach Octavio Zambrano’s roster for Canada’s Sept. 2 friendly against Jamaica.

After Canada was eliminated from qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, the Brampton, Ont. native chose to take some time away from the national side to ponder his international future. He was not part of the 2017 Gold Cup team.

Hutchinson will provide a veteran presence for a team that is filled with young prospects.

While Hutchinson and the recall of Will Johnson are a nod to the old guard, for Amer Didic and David Choiniere, Canada’s Sept. 2 friendly against Jamaica could mark the next steps in their young careers.

Both were named to coach Octavio Zambrano’s roster for the match at BMO Field. The pair are the only first-time callups in the squad; both could get their first full senior caps in the match against the Reggae Boyz. Keeper James Pantemis has been previously named to a Canadian senior roster, but has yet to get his first “A” cap.

Choniere is a product of the Montreal Impact Academy and has seen limited time with the Impact in MLS action this season. Didic is a graduate of FC Edmonton’s Academy, who later went to Baker University and forced his way onto Swope Park Rangers,  the USL affiliate of Sporting Kansas City. He then got a call up to Sporting Kansas City for CONCACAF Champions League matches in 2016, then was signed to an MLS contract earlier this year. Didic is a fine example of a player who didn’t have a high national profile when he was a teen, but simply refused to give up on his dream.

CANADA
1- GK- Simon Thomas | NOR / FK Bodø/Glimt
2- FB- Nik Ledgerwood | CAN / FC Edmonton
3- CB- Manjrekar James | HUN / Vasas Budapest
4- FB- Michael Petrasso | ENG / Queens Park Rangers
5- CB- Dejan Jaković | USA / New York Cosmos
6- M- Samuel Piette | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
7- FB- Samuel Adekugbe | SWE / IFK Göteborg (on loan from Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
8- M- Will Johnson | USA / Orlando City SC
9- F- Tosaint Ricketts | CAN / Toronto FC
10- M- David Junior Hoilett | WAL / Cardiff City FC
11- F- Cyle Larin | USA / Orlando City SC
12- M- Alphonso Davies | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
13- M- Atiba Hutchinson | TUR / Beşiktaş JK
14- M- Mark-Anthony Kaye | USA / Louisville City FC
15- CB- Amer Didic | USA / Sporting Kansas City
16- F- Anthony Jackson-Hamel | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
17- FB- Marcel de Jong | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
18- GK- Jayson Leutwiler | ENG / Blackburn Rovers
20- M- Raheem Edwards | CAN / Toronto FC
21- M- Jonathan Osorio | CAN / Toronto FC
22- GK- James Pantemis | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
23- M- Tesho Akindele | USA / FC Dallas
24- M- David Choinière | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
25- M- Jay Chapman | CAN / Toronto FC