Last weekend it was a bit of a stretch to come up with compelling stories from the Canadians competing overseas. However, this weekend saw several important displays and with Benito Floro announcing his roster for the October 14 friedly against Colombia, we now have some recent displays to connect to this upcoming match. Overall, it was encouraging to see the likes of Milan Borjan start for his club side, Simeon Jackson score for his team and a handful of others earn significant minutes leading up to two important fixtures in back to back months.
In Finland
One of the more impressive runs from a Canadian over the last year wrapped up in the final weekend in Finland’s second division. A team that has become familiar to Canadian supporters following players overseas, AC Oulu began their 2014 season with much to be desired in terms of points and results. However, come early July the club went on an astonishing run of fourteen games unbeaten.
From the Canadian perspective, it was keeper David Monsalve who was a key part of this run of form that saw him secure six clean sheets and take Oulu within three points of promotion to the top flight. Along with fellow Canuck Dominic Oppong, they put forth an inspiring three months that hopefully might lead to both players getting a look from clubs higher up in competition. Some will recall it was a strong season from Randy Edwini-Bonsu at AC Oulu that earned him a trial in 2.Bundesliga with Eintracht Braunschweig.
Monsalve came into Canadians’ consciousness back in 2009 when he helped Inter Turku with the Finnish Cup. Unfortunately, he was unable to hold onto his starting position the following season and came back to Canada with FC Edmonton with limited appearances. However, what is encouraging from this past season is that Monsalve is still just 25 years of age, well off from the prime years for a keeper. With a season as the number one, and success at that, it will hopefully lead to him either duplicating this next year with AC Oulu, or getting a chance in higher division of football.
In Bulgaria
Last week's column laid speculation as to how much meaningful minutes Milan Borjan could count on with the return of Vladislav Stoyanov to Ludogorets' line up. Borjan did appear in a cup match prior to last weekend, but stayed on the bench for their 3-2 loss to Levski Sofia and 2-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League. Back to back losses might have been all it takes to get him back in the starting eleven as he was given the nod this past weekend.
Borjan made a positive impression in his first two games, a 2-1 loss to Liverpool and 5-1 win over Botev Vratsa in the domestic Cup tournament. This weekend he had a solid match, keeping a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw with Slavia Sofia. While it was not a win, Borjan did his part on two occasions making big saves to ensure Ludogorets come out with a result. With the top half of the table highly competitive, it would seem likely the club will stay with whoever is getting results and right now that is Borjan. With their next match against last placed Haskovo on Friday and Champions League versus Basel the following Wednesday, there is growing potential that Borjan could get minutes in either, or both games.
In England
Two key Canadians saw good performances and results over the last week. David Edgar’s Birmingham City have struggled over the last two seasons and found themselves near the relegation zone for the most part. Edgar has been a mainstay in the starting eleven so far this season and finally saw a very positive result as they won away to Millwall midweek in a 3-1 win. They were unable to duplicate the performance on the weekend, but a 1-1 draw with Charlton Athletic is points in the bank and keeps them out of the relegation zone for the time being.
Simeon Jackson wasn’t named to Benito Floro’s roster for the Colombia game, but that is not too discouraging as he went about his business on Saturday, scoring a goal in a 2-2 draw with Crawley Town. Jackson made a nice run into the 18-yard box and was clinical in his strike to the far post to give his side the 2-0 lead, that they unfortunately could not hold on to. It was Jackson’s second goal of the year and while two goals in each appearances might not be prolific, one has to bear in mind that when Jackson gets hot, he scores in bunches and maintaining form of minutes played will likely see him begin to regain his scoring touch
Simeon Jackson makes it 2-0, but it wasn’t enough as Coventry City succumbed to Crawley Town in a 2-2 draw.
Borjan gets called on a backpass, makes the save and follows it up with another big save to secure the clean sheet in a 0-0 draw.
Here's how the rest of Canada's Internationals did Across the Pond:
Milan Borjan – Ludogorets (BUL – D1):
Wednesday, October 1, did not play in a 2-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Saturday, October 4, played all 90 minutes and kept a CLEAN SHEET in a 0-0 draw with Slavia Sofia.
Daniel Haber – Ayia Napa (CPR – D1):
Sunday, September 6, played 69 minutes in a 2-1 loss to AEK Larnaca.
David Edgar – Birmingham City (ENG - D2):
Tuesday, September 30, played all 90 minutes in a 3-1 victory over Millwall.
Saturday, October 4, played all 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Charlton Athletic.
Simeon Jackson – Coventry City (ENG – D3):
Saturday, October 4, played all 90 minutes and scored A GOAL in a 2-2 draw with Crawley Town.
Michael Petrasso – Leyton Orient (ENG – D3):
Saturday, October 4, did not play in a 2-1 loss to Swindon Town.
Marcus Haber – Crewe Alexandra (ENG – D3):
Tuesday, September 30, played all 90 minutes in a 3-0 loss to Notts County.
Saturday, October 4, played all 90 minutes in a 2-0 loss to Bradford City.
Emmett O’Connor – Crawley Town (ENG – D3):
Saturday, October 4, did not play in a 2-2 draw with Coventry City.
Charlie Trafford – KuPS (FIN – D1):
Sunday, October 5, did not play in a 1-0 victory over TPS.
David Monsalve – AC OULU (FIN – D2):
Saturday, October 4, played all 90 minutes in a 2-1 victory over JJK.
Marcel De Jong – FC Augsburg (GER - D1):
Sunday, October 5, did not play in a 1-0 loss to Wolfsburg.
Andre Hainault – Aalen (GER – B2):
Friday, October 3, played 80 minutes in a 2-0 victory over 1860 Munich.
Randy Edwini-Bonsu – Stuttgarter Kickers (GER – D3):
Saturday, October 4, did not play in a 3-0 victory over Hansa Rostock *Out for indefinite period with hamstring injury.
Nik Ledgerwood – Energie Cottbus (GER – D3):
Saturday, October 4, subbed in at the 46th minute in a 3-0 loss to Fortuna Koln.
Daniel Stanese – Augsburg II (GER – D4):
Thursday, October 2, did not play in a 1-1 draw with Schweinfurt.
Tosaint Ricketts – Hapoel Haifa (ISR – D1):
Next match, Saturday October 18 v Maccabi Netanya.
Tomer Chencinski – Ironi Ramat Gan (ISR – D2):
Next match, Monday October 6 v Bnei Yehuda.
Iain Hume – Kerala Blasters (IND – D1):
Next match, Saturday October 10 v North East United.
Dejan Jakovic – Shimizu S-Pulse (JPN – D1):
Sunday, October 5, played all 90 minutes in a 3-0 victory over Cerezo Osaka.
Pedro Pacheco – Santa Clara (POR – D2):
Wednesday, October 1, played all 90 minutes in a 1-1draw with Benfica II.
Sunday, October 5, played in a 0-0 draw with Desportivo Aves.
Jordan Hamilton – Trofense (POR – D2):
Sunday, October 5, a 2-1 loss to Sporting CP II.
Luca Gasparotto – Airdieonians (SCO – D3):
Saturday, October 4, played all 90 minutes in a 2-1 loss to Forfar Athletic.
Dylan Carreiro – Arbroath FC (SCO – D4):
Saturday, October 4, a 2-2 draw with Montrose in the Scottish Cup.
Samuel Piette – Deportivo La Coruna B (SPN – D4):
Sunday, October 5, did not play in a 2-1 loss to Ordenes.
Kenny Stamatopoulos – AIK (SWE – D1):
Sunday, October 5, did not play in a 3-2 loss to Malmo FF.
Atiba Hutchinson – Besiktas (TUR – D1):
Sunday, October 5, played all 90 minutes in a 1-0 victory over Balikesirspor.
Lucas Cavallini – Nacional (URU – D1):
Sunday, October 5, a 3-0 loss to Atenas.
ACROSS THE BORDER
Tesho Akindele – FC Dallas:
Saturday, October 4, subbed in at the 45th minute in a 2-0 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps.
Karl Ouimette – Montreal Impact:
Sunday, October 5, did not play in a 0-0 draw with Chicago Fire.
Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare – Montreal Impact:
Sunday, October 5, did not play in a 0-0 draw with Chicago Fire.
Issey Nakajima-Farran – Montreal Impact:
Sunday, October 5, subbed in at 90+1 in a 0-0 draw with Chicago Fire.
Will Johnson – Portland Timbers:
Saturday, October 4, did not play in a 2-1 victory over San Jose *Out indefinitely with fractured tibia and fibula.
Dwayne De Rosario – Toronto FC:
Saturday, October 4, subbed in at the 75th minute in a 3-0 loss to LA Galaxy.
Kyle Bekker – Toronto FC:
Saturday, October 4, played 80 minutes in a 3-0 loss to LA Galaxy.
Ashtone Morgan – Toronto FC:
Saturday, October 4, did not play in a 3-0 loss to LA Galaxy.
Doneil Henry – Toronto FC:
Saturday, October 4, did not play in a 3-0 loss to LA Galaxy.
Jonathan Osorio – Toronto FC:
Saturday, October 4, played all 90 minutes in a 3-0 loss to LA Galaxy.
Russel Teibert – Vancouver Whitecaps:
Saturday, October 4, played all 90 minutes in a 2-0 victory over FC Dallas.
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