MONTREAL – In the hours leading up to Saturday’s match between CF Montreal and Real Salt Lake, Joel Waterman took the time to study individual footage of Cristian “Chicho” Arango, the star striker he was going to have in the paws in the evening.
At mid-season, Arango is one of the favorites to win MLS MVP. He has already tied his career high with 16 goals. He also provided nine assists. He is terrifying. Waterman spent the week getting into the right mindset to face him. “These guys who dominate the league, who are candidates to be MVP, when they come here, I don’t want us to give them a crumb,” proclaims the central defender.
This is exactly what happened. Arango was limited to just one shot on target in the 0-0 draw played at Stade Saputo on Saturday evening. Mission accomplished, therefore, for Waterman. But that wasn’t the best part of his vigil.
After the match, the man who had just worn the captain’s armband in the absence of Samuel Piette learned that he had been selected to represent Canada at the Copa América starting next week.
It’s an announcement that Waterman had to mourn in recent weeks. At the start of the month, he was not called up for the two friendly matches that Canada was going to play on the old continent against the Netherlands and France. Then on Friday, without much surprise, his name did not appear in the squad of 26 players who would be part of a group with Argentina, Chile and Peru in this major intercontinental competition.
But a ray of hope arrived on Saturday. Waterman had been made aware of this possibility which was confirmed by journalist Ben Steiner in the evening: midfielder Junior Hoilett would have suffered an injury in training, opening the door for a last-minute replacement.
Waterman knew he could finally pack his bags after the game against RSL, when coach Laurent Courtois announced it to the rest of the team.
“I had heard that there might be a possibility, but I wasn’t sure so I left it aside. It’s a nice feeling to know that my work was noticed, that I was the guy in the waiting circle. »
Waterman had played two matches with CF Montreal after learning that he had not been selected for the two friendly matches in Europe. Obviously, his way of bouncing back pleased the leaders of the national team.
“I was disappointed, that’s for sure. I know what I am worth and what I can bring to a team. But [Jesse Marsch] and I have a good conversation and I understood his decision. He couldn’t choose everyone. It’s always disappointing to miss trips with the national team, especially for big competitions like this, but it wasn’t the first time in my career that I was told no. I continued to express myself on the field and now I consider myself blessed to have this opportunity. »
Waterman has made three appearances for Canada since his first recall ahead of the 2022 World Cup. For minutes at the Copa América, he will primarily compete with Derek Cornelius, Moïse Bombito and Kamal Miller.
