There must have been something in the water at St. Edmund Campion High School. Part of the Greater Toronto Area, in the span of just a decade the school was home to three current stars of the Canadian national team in Tajon Buchanan, Cyle Larin and Jonathan Osorio.
All three have played a part in what has been a brilliant start by the Canucks, with an in Toronto being followed by against Qatar in Vancouver.
That was Canada’s maiden victory, a milestone occasion for both the nation and a sport that has struggled at times to match the popularity of other pursuits in this vast, often snow-laced, North American nation.
Speaking exclusively to FIFA ahead of the team’s final Group B outing, against Switzerland, one of those St. Edmund Campion graduates, Larin, said that the run that Canada is on can forever change the way that football is viewed in his homeland.
“That win meant so much for the country. I think just the way that we played and the goals we scored. We played as a team, offensively and defensively and showed the world who we are. The fans also came out and showed the world who we are too," he said.
“The whole occasion [of just being at a World Cup] definitely hit me before we came to that game.
“I was thinking back to when I was growing up watching the World Cup, when I was playing in an academy or at school. You know, we used to have our lunch break and all we would be doing was watching the World Cup. It's just amazing to think where I've gotten to personally and where these guys have gotten to as a team, it's just amazing to see, amazing."
That’s an adjective that could also be applied to Larin’s performances in the opening two matches, where he scored back-to-back goals to play a pivotal part in his nation’s rise. The first of those came off the bench against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the second in a starting role against Qatar.
The 31-year-old was also in good touch for his club side, Southampton, last season, scoring a goal every two matches and is delighted that he’s continued to be able to show the ability to swing matches.
“I really feel great and for the last couple of months I’ve been scoring goals. That’s come also from feeling physically good and having that confidence to keep scoring," he added.
Jesse Marsch’s side will face the Swiss at BC Place on Wednesday knowing that a point will be enough for them to top the group and ensure they remain in Vancouver for the Round of 32, and then possibly a Round of 16 match as well.
That will present Larin further opportunities to silence what he sees as the doubters. Approaching a century of Canadian caps, the Ontario native is his nation’s second greatest-scorer, just ahead of his fellow St. Edmund Campion alumnus Osorio.
There were though some who were questioning his ongoing place in the team and it’s to those with questions that Larin has responded after both of his goals by celebrating bolt-upright, with fingers in his ears, as he told FIFA.
“That was for those who doubted me. I think I’ve shown what I can do for my nation all along and have shown that since I’ve been here at this World Cup.”
Sources: FIFA Official
