90min
·15 June 2023
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Yahoo sports90min
·15 June 2023
The Canadian Men's National Team wants glory at this summer's Concacaf Nations League final as team captain Atiba Hutchinson hopes the silverware is the final feather on the cap of his illustrious career.
"It's a crazy feeling," he said. "It's cool that I’m here with an opportunity to win a trophy, but at the same time, it's been a long career that I had representing Canada."
The 40-year-old midfielder played his first World Cup last year and is currently Canada’s most capped player with 103 calls. After starting his career in Canada, Hutchinson played in various Scandinavian teams before a three-year stint with Dutch Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven before jumping to Turkish powerhouse Beşiktaş J.K. where he's appeared in over 300 matches across all competitions.
Now at the end of his contract with Beşiktaş, Hutchinson is looking for the more elusive international success before signing off from the sport.
"I've had a lot of great memories," Hutchinson said. "I've had some down times as well, but it’s been a career that I've been very happy with."
This final challenge comes tonight in their semifinal match against Panama at the Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada.
Team Canada will be counting on most of its key players though form and fitness are across the board given recent injuries and playing minutes. Head coach John Herdman is counting on his lads' still tasting World Cup participation to propel them through to the final.
"These players, after winning big leagues or big trophies, they just understand that there's a different focus in this period of time," he said.
"I've already sensed it in the conversations I've had," he added. "There are players that are so dialed in. They want that trophy. Even in a place like Vegas where there's a lot of distractions, you get that sense that they're honed in to do what it's going to take."
Hutchinson, the oldest member in the locker room, will be instrumental in motivating the Canucks and has what it takes to show the youngsters that getting to the World Cup was no fluke.