Posted by ian Clarke

February 2, 2015 Email

Ian Clarke



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While it is a new year for the CMNT, and the Gold Cup now coming up over the horizon, 2015 hasn’t gotten off to a flying start for Canucks Abroad. Always a challenge securing places in foreign domestic leagues, a handful of players continue to be without a club, with the most recent casualty being the lone Canadian left in the Bundesliga Marcel De Jong. The full back had been fighting for playing time for the last two seasons and he was officially released this past week. While not ideal, he had barely received over 200 minutes in the last two seasons and there is hope he can land somewhere else soon, either in the 2.Bundeslida or back where he began his pro career in the Eredivisie. Initial rumours are he could end up remaining in Bavaria with 1860 Munich, which would be a good sized club in a very professional environment. Der Vertrag zwischen dem #FCA & Marcel de #Jong wurde am Mittwoch im Einvernehmen aufgelöst. http://t.co/jCKi3JToRB pic.twitter.com/ZTAY0jJK5D — FC Augsburg (@FCAugsburg) January 28, 2015 Milan Borjan will be another situation to monitor as there was talk his Bulgarian side Ludogorets was going to keep him on should the be able to offload his main competition in net, Vladislav Stoyanov. However, as it stands, Borjan is still on the sidelines as Ludogorets have been playing friendlies, most recently a 3-2 win over Spartak Moscow, which Borjan did not feature. Despite these events, there have been some positives, such as Iain Hume signing on with his first pro club, Tranmere, as well as the much discussed Adam Straith settling in with Fredrikstad in Norway’s second division. In Turkey

One of the more intriguing rumours at the end of 2015 was the possibility of Atiba Hutchinson being linked with England’s Premiership and West Ham United, while only Doneil Henry made the switch, there were still questions surrounding Hutchinson’s contract status as it was due to end come the summer. Canada supporters will be glad to see at the very least he will be secure for the time being as there are several articles out reporting a multi-year contract in the area of $1 million a season. Despite Turkey being an unstable league over the last decade, Hutchinson’s time with Besiktas has been positive with the team currently in a strong position near the top of the table and in much more consistent form than the 2013/14 season. As it stands, Hutchinson appears to have picked up a knock since last weekend’s victory and was out of back to back wins through the week. While a 3-1 win Thursday over Sariyer was good news for their Turkish Cup aspirations, Sunday’s 2-1 victory through another Demba Ba goal was critical in them keeping pace with Fenerbahce and staying within one point of first place. As well, Galatasaray dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Bursaspor, which gives Besiktas a two point lead over third placee. In England

As noted in the intro, two moves in recent weeks have been positive for Canadians competing in the UK. Iain Hume’s return to Tranmere, while League Two is probably a division below his capabilities, is positive in him staying active and building off his season in the Indian Super League. The Rovers are sitting solid in mid-table and can use Hume in staying clear of relegation, which they are only one game ahead of Mansfield Town – along with six other teams. Luckily Hume will have momentum upon his first match as they were able to defeat Exeter City on the road 2-1 with hopefully his first appearance coming next weekend against Carlisle United. Absolutely delighted to have signed back @tranmererovers where it all started for me! Great 1st day training with the lads, now just can't.. — Iain Hume (@Humey_7) January 29, 2015 Another Canuck who had fallen upon tough times was David Edgar. He had found himself relegated to the bench after an embarrassing 8-0 loss to Bournemouth where he was sent off after seven minutes. When Birmingham City regain form afterwards, it was unlikely he was going to slot right back in, and luckily he found a loan withing the Championship at Huddersfield Town. In his second match with the team it appears Edgar is being used more as a defensive midfielder, and while it worked well for a win in his first appearance, unfortunately this weekend Leeds United came to John Smith’s Stadium and pipped a 90th minute goal to leave with a 2-1 victory. Here's how the rest of Canada's Internationals did Across the Pond: Milan Borjan – Ludogorets (BUL – D1):

Saturday, January 31, did not play in a 3-2 win over Spartack Moscow in a club friendly. David Monsalve – America de Cali (COL – D1:

Next match, February 14 v Bogota FC. Daniel Haber – Ayia Napa (CPR – D1):

Saturday, January 31, played 90 minutes in a 2-1 victory over Ermis. David Edgar – Huddersfield Town (ENG - D2):

Saturday, January 31, played all 90 minutes in a 2-1 loss to Leeds United. Simeon Jackson – Coventry City (ENG – D3):

Saturday, January 31, subbed in at the 75th minute in a 2-2 draw with Rochdale. Michael Petrasso – Queens Park Rangers (ENG – D1):

Saturday, January 31, did not play in a 3-1 loss to Stoke City. Marcus Haber – Crewe Alexandra (ENG – D3):

Saturday, January 31, did not play in a 5-0 loss to MK Dons. Charlie Trafford (FIN – D1):

Friday, January 30, played all 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Lahti in the League Cup. Andre Hainault – Aalen (GER – B2):

Next match, February 6 v Darmstadt 98. Randy Edwini-Bonsu – Stuttgarter Kickers (GER – D3):

Sunday, February 1, did not play in a 3-2 victory over Mainz 05 II. Nik Ledgerwood – Energie Cottbus (GER – D3):

Saturday, January 31, played all 90 minutes in a 2-0 loss to Rot-Weiss Erfurt. Daniel Stanese – Augsburg II (GER – D4):

Next match, March 7, 2015 v Bayreuth. Tosaint Ricketts – Hapoel Haifa (ISR – D1):

Saturday, January 31, played all 90 minutes in a 2-0 loss to Bnei Sakhnin. Pedro Pacheco – Santa Clara (POR – D2):

Sunday, February 1, played in a 1-0 loss to Sporting CP II. Luca Gasparotto – Airdieonians (SCO – D3):

Saturday, January 31, played all 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Brechin City. Dylan Carreiro – Dundee (SCO – D1):

Saturday, January 31, did not play in a 1-1 draw with Hamilton Academical. Samuel Piette – Deportivo La Coruna B (SPN – D4):

Saturday, January 31, played all 90 minutes in a 2-1 victory over Pontevedra. Atiba Hutchinson – Besiktas (TUR – D1):

Wednesday, January 29, did not play in a 3-1 victory over Sanyer in the Turkish Cup.

Sunday, February 1, did not play in a 2-1 victory over Mersin Idmanyurdu. Lucas Cavallini – Nacional (URU – D1):

Tuesday, January 28, played in a 1-0 loss to Alianza Lima in a club friendly.

Saturday, January 31, played in a 3-0 victory over Villa Espanola in a club friendly.