Canadians to watch with MLS season set to kick off

As Canada sits on the precipice of a first World Cup berth since 1986, much attention has been given to the number of players who now ply their trade in Europe.

In the last several weeks, the likes of Tajon Buchanan (Club Brugge) and Richie Laryea (Nottingham Forest) have joined Atiba Hutchinson, Cyle Larin (both Besiktas), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) and Jonathan David (Lille) on the continent. The contingent of CanMNT players who play outside of North America is now larger than it ever has been before.

But don’t discount those who are based in North America. With Major League Soccer set to kick off its 27th season this weekend, key CanMNT players are about to start their league campaigns ahead of what might be a momentous fall for the national team.

Alistair Johnston, CF Montreal – The 23-year-old right-back has emerged as a favourite of John Herdman’s during the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying campaign, making 21 appearances for Canada during 2021 and 2022. A product of Wake Forest, Johnston was acquired by Montreal from Nashville in December and subsequently signed a new deal with the team through 2023 that has options in both 2024 and 2025. In Johnston, CFM gets a full-back capable of both distributing the ball going forward and pressuring oncoming attackers. Johnston averaged 15.33 pressures per 90 minutes last season. A native of Vancouver, Johnston started 24 games for Nashville in 2021 and helped the backline concede just 33 goals all season, the fewest in MLS. With Montreal manager Wilfried Nancy preferring a back three, Johnston will likely find himself slotting in alongside Rudy Camacho and CanMNT teammate Kamal Miller.

--

Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC – It’s only been five years, but Toronto FC’s