Canadian head coach John Herdman has a job opening. It’s for the backup position to starting goaltender Milan Borjan on the road to 2022 World Cup Qatar qualifying.
Simon Thomas of Victoria should consider it an audition today when Canada meets Dominica (4 p.m. PT on TSN2) in qualifying play for the 2019 CONCACAF Nations League tournament. The 39-time capped Borjan of Red Star Belgrade was not called up for the game. The Canadian crease today at BMO Field in Toronto will instead be handled by eight-time capped Thomas or uncapped James Pantemis of Montreal Impact or Alessandro Busti of Juventus U-23.
Herdman had yet to announce his starter in goal. But as the only capped player among the three, and the fact he is listed with the No. 1 jersey on today’s roster, there’s an indication the start could go to the six-foot-three Bays United and Lower Island Metro product Thomas.
There’s a lot at stake.
“The No. 2 and No. 3 goalkeeping spots are up for grabs, and we will be transparent and give opportunities,” said Herdman, in a teleconference call with Canadian sports media.
“I will be looking for someone who is playing consistent minutes with his [club] team. You can’t come into camp not playing minutes. That is an important consideration. You have to be playing minutes. Simon Thomas has been doing that in the second division in Norway [beginning the season with Kongsvinger IL before switching to fellow Norwegian OBOS-ligaen club Strommen].”
The Islander said he is ready if the opportunity presents itself.
“I’m playing games that matter right now in Norway in a tight relegation fight,” said Thomas, from the Canadian team camp in Toronto. “You have to be playing meaningful games to be considered for the national team.”
Does Thomas think he will get the nod today from Herdman? It doesn’t matter, said the former Oak Bay High student, because “I prepare for every game as if I am going to start.”
World No. 79 Canada began CONCACAF Nations League qualifying with an 8-0 victory over the U.S. Virgin Islands in Bradenton, Florida.
So Herdman should have little concern today with whomever he starts in goal against No. 177 Dominica.
“Milan Borjan only touched the ball three times [against the U.S. Virgin Islands],” he noted. “Milan is a Champions League goalkeeper.”
And one who the 28-year-old Thomas would love to back-up in the years ahead.
“I have always been competing for a spot on the national team,” he said, adding this auditioning thing is nothing new to him.
He feels he has grown in the process.
“As a pro and international goalkeeper, it’s about focus and organization, and being the voice that leads from the back,” said Thomas, who will marry fiancée Charlotte Foster in December at the Fairmont Empress.
“You are that extra set of eyes, and you get an understanding of the game. That’s why I am a vocal goalkeeper. I collect crosses, and organize, and am a voice in the back.”
That’s just what a young Canadian team might need as Herdman has named eight players for tonight who are 21 and younger. A sense of optimism pervades as this new generation is led by 17-year-old Bayern Munich-bound sensation Alphonso Davies. There is also the highly touted 19-year-old Ballou Tabla of Barcelona Reserves, born in Ivory Coast but raised in Montreal, who will make his much-anticipated national-team debut.
“This is the best team I’ve seen in my time with the national program,” said Thomas. “The potential of this team is unbelievable.”
Herdman has brought in players from the 1986 World Cup team, and a member of the Canadian military, to talk to this young group about “the importance of the uniform and to lay a solid cultural foundation.”
Added Herdman: “It feels like we are on a journey and every step is a step toward something [and that is] the four-year path to the World Cup.”
