TORONTO – When Canada takes to the pitch at BMO Field on Tuesday night against Dominica in a Concacaf Nations League qualification match (7 pm ET), there will be several notable firsts.
It will be the first time that John Herdman leads the youthful side out in front of Canadian fans, but will also mark the first time that Lucas Cavallini takes to the pitch in his hometown.
A native of nearby Mississauga, Ontario, the 25-year-old striker went abroad as a teenager to make his name, traveling to Uruguay with Canadian national teammate Jonathan Osorio to join Nacional's famed academy.
Cavallini played on both sides of the Uruguayan Clasico, representing both Nacional and hated rivals Peñarol in the derby, before making his way north to Liga MX, where he plays for Club Puebla, scoring five goals through 12 matches in the current Apertura campaign.
Though far away, Cavallini has kept an eye on events back home.
“They show some [MLS] games, especially when it is [Concacaf Champions League],” said Cavallini on Saturday shortly after arriving in Toronto. “I follow on my phone, especially Toronto FC. Following one of my good friends since we were small, Osorio.”
Sidling up as his name was mentioned, the TFC midfielder attempted to interject his words into Cavallini's mouth.
“Yeah, I want to come to Toronto,” smiled Osorio. Scott Arfield, joining in on the fun, added: “I love this city.”
“One day, one day,” laughed Cavallini.
“We talk about it a lot, me and Jon,” explained Cavallini. “I always say to him, 'If I were to come to MLS, the only team I'd come to is Toronto.'”
“We'll see what the future holds,” he added.
Speaking before departing for the national team camp, Osorio sang praises of Cavallini's game: “So good.”
“A typical South American No. 9: works his butt off on the defense, which is huge. And in the box, he's a huge guy that uses his body, but is very mobile as well,” detailed Osorio. “He's scoring goals. I watch him every week. He's my roommate on these trips, so I'm a little biased, but you can ask anybody: he's a great player.”
Having watched Osorio reach new heights in MLS since returning to Canada, Cavallini returned the plaudits.
“He's an incredible player,” said Cavallini. “He achieved it all with TFC: won the MLS Cup, won the Golden Ball at [CCL], something no Canadian has done. Especially playing against big clubs in Mexico, that I play against, it's something amazing, for this city, the country, this nation.”
That the duo come into the national team starting and scoring for their club sides bodes well for Canada as they look to earn a spot in League A of the Nations League, a berth in the 2019 Gold Cup, and beyond to FIFA World Cups in 2022 and 2026.
The coach noted the verve that Cavallini brings in.
“What you see with Lucas is an air of confidence,” said Herdman. “That's an exciting thing. I love that about him.”
