TFC's Jonathan Osorio recalled by Canada for World Cup tune-up
The midfielder is one of six Toronto FC players included in John Herdman’s roster for next week’s friendly vs. Bahrain.
After a short sabbatical from the Canadian men’s team due to injury, Toronto FC midfielder Jonathan Osorio has been welcomed back into the fold for a friendly prior to this month’s FIFA World Cup.
Coach John Herdman on Wednesday unveiled his 21-man roster for Canada’s match vs. Bahrain on Nov. 11 in Isa Town, and Osorio made the cut after being ruled out for a pair of exhibition games in last month’s national team camp.
As this game vs. Bahrain falls outside of the FIFA international window, 19 members of the Canadian squad are tied to MLS teams. The lone exceptions are defender Doneil Henry (who was let go by TFC last month) and midfielder Liam Fraser, who plays for Belgian club KMSK Deinze. The only MLS invitee still in action is LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, who'll be between the posts vs. the Philadelphia Union in Saturday’s MLS Cup final.
Europe's top leagues will still be in action at the time of next week's friendly, so clubs aren’t obligated to release their players. That means this Canadian roster is missing the majority of players who'll go to the World Cup, including Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Jonathan David (Lille), Milan Borjan (Red Star Belgrade), Stephen Eustáquio (FC Porto) and Cyle Larin (Club Brugge). Herdman must submit his final World Cup roster by Nov. 13.
