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History has been made, as Cyle Larin becomes the first Canadian to be selected first overall in the MLS SuperDraft, joining Orlando City SC. When the announcement was made, however, Larin was just over 2,500 away in Jamaica with the Canadian U20 National Team. Gathering around a computer screen with his teammates, Larin watched the draft from afar. His reaction, when it was announced that the first overall pick would come from his University of Connecticut, was nothing short of priceless. Video comes from Canada Soccer.
Larin will not have long to celebrate the pick, however, as Canada are just kicking off a match against El Salvador right now. Larin will be in the starting lineup for that match, a nice gesture from the Canadian coaching staff but a place that is deserved as well. This match is huge for the Canadian team as a victory would essentially assure a place in one of the two playoff rounds with the winner advancing to the U20 World Cup. Here is Canada's full lineup for the match:
#canM20 starting XI: Wirth (GK); Haynes, Gasparotto (c), Comsia, Serban; JGL, LBG, Bustos, Petrasso, Ferguson; Larin.
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) January 15, 2015
There were also a couple of surprises in the Canadian starting lineup, as Nolan Wirth will start his second straight match ahead of Marco Carducci. He was solid in the game against Mexico, perhaps the reason Canada did not concede more. However, most saw Carducci as the de facto starter for this team. Callum Ferguson, of Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the SPL, will make his first start of the tournament for Canada.