Unbeknownst to him, when he was protecting CF Montreal’s 0-0 loss to Real Salt Lake at Saputo Stadium, Joel Waterman’s month to come was changing.
Without knowing it, he had been recalled by Jesse Marsch, the Canada coach. Which therefore meant that he was finally invited to participate in the Copa América with the maple leaf.
But Waterman had no idea during the game, too busy protecting the Montreal zone from the attackers of the second best offense in MLS.
It was when he returned to the locker room that he learned the news. During a speech by Laurent Courtois, during which the coach welcomed the return to play of several injured people, the birth of Victor Wanayama’s boy (other information revealed to all by the defender on Saturday), the players and Waterman learned that he was going to join his national team on Sunday, in Atlanta.
So that was the screaming we heard from the conference room. A few minutes later, the player himself unpacked everything in front of the media.
“I heard that maybe something was happening today, but I wasn’t sure,” Waterman said, smiling during his speech. So I let it go, and then I got confirmation. It’s good to know that my work was noticed, and that I was next in line. I am always grateful for the chance to represent my country. »
Marsch also sent him a message, directly confirming the thing.
” It feels good ! I think they didn’t want to tell me before the meeting, in case I got too excited. »
Not bad, all the same, to learn with a few days’ notice that we are going to face Lionel Messi and Argentina in Atlanta on June 20. At the same time, he joins his Montreal teammates Mathieu Choinière and Samuel Piette, already in camp and therefore absent from Saturday’s match.
According to journalist Ben Steiner, Waterman replaces Junior Hoilett in the 26-player squad. The striker was reportedly injured in training today.
When we met Jesse Marsch in Bordeaux last week, we asked him if Sirois – who remains in Montreal – and Waterman were far from the national team. The coach told us that the catastrophic month of May at the CFM had been the cause of their initial exclusion, after their recalls in March. But the recent performances of both players were promising. This confirms that these were not empty words.
“We had a good conversation,” confirms the defender. I understand that you can’t choose everyone. […] It wasn’t the first time I received a “no” in my career. I always bring it back to training, because it comes down to what I demonstrate on the field. So to have this opportunity, it’s a blessing, and I’m grateful for it. »