Canada, although not typically known for its success in world football, has produced some of the most talented soccer players in history. These players have represented their country on the international stage and have achieved great success both individually and as part of their teams.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the best men’s and women’s Canadian soccer players of all time, exploring their careers, achievements, and impact on the sport in Canada. This list highlights the cream of the crop in Canadian soccer history.
So, let’s kick off and dive into the exciting world of Canadian soccer!
Dwayne De Rosario
De Rosario is widely regarded as one of the best Canadian soccer players of all time. His career in Major League Soccer (MLS) spanned over 15 years, during which he achieved great success both individually and as part of his teams.
De Rosario began his MLS career in 2001 with the San Jose Earthquakes, where he quickly established himself as one of the league’s top players. He won two MLS Cup championships with the Earthquakes in 2001 and 2003, and was named the MLS Cup MVP in 2001.
De Rosario continued his success after he was traded to the Houston Dynamo in 2006. He won two more MLS Cup championships with the Dynamo in 2006 and 2007, and was named the MLS Cup MVP in 2007.
De Rosario was named to the MLS Best XI six times and was selected to the MLS All-Star team six times.
De Rosario’s success in MLS was also matched by his contributions to the Canadian national team. He made 81 appearances and scored 22 goals, making him one of the team’s all-time leading scorers. He played a key role in helping Canada win the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Christine Sinclair
Sinclair is widely regarded as one of the greatest women’s soccer players in the world and the best Canadian soccer player of all time. She has had an illustrious career in international soccer, breaking records and leading her team to numerous international titles.
Sinclair made her debut for the Canadian women’s national team in 2000, and has since gone on to make over 300 appearances, scoring over 190 goals. She is the all-time leading scorer in international soccer, surpassing Abby Wambach’s record of 184 goals in 2019.
Sinclair has also played in five Women’s World Cups and four Olympic Games, helping Canada reach the podium in the 2012 and 2020 Olympics.
Sinclair has been instrumental in leading Canada to numerous international titles. She played a key role in the country’s victory in the 2010 CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament, scoring four goals in the final. She also led Canada to the gold medal in the 2011 Pan American Games, scoring a goal in the final. In addition, she helped Canada win the Algarve Cup in 2016.
Sinclair’s individual achievements are also impressive. She has been named Canada’s Female Player of the Year 14 times and won the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada’s athlete of the year in 2012. In addition, Sinclair has been named to the FIFA Women’s World Cup All-Star team three times and was awarded the Golden Boot and the Silver Ball at the 2012 Olympics.
Off the field, Sinclair has been an advocate for women’s soccer and has been actively involved in promoting the sport. In recognition of her contributions to the sport, she was awarded the Order of Canada in 2013.
Hargreaves is a former professional soccer player who had a successful career playing in England, particularly with Manchester United. Despite being born in Canada, Hargreaves chose to represent England at the international level.
Hargreaves began his professional career with Bayern Munich in 1997, where he quickly established himself as a key player in the team’s midfield. He played for Bayern Munich for seven seasons, winning four Bundesliga titles and the Champions League in 2001.
In 2007, Hargreaves made a move to Manchester United, where he played for four seasons. He played a crucial role in helping Man U win multiple Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008. Hargreaves was known for his versatility and work rate on the field, and his ability to play in multiple positions made him a valuable asset for his teams.
Hargreaves also made significant contributions to the England national team. He made his international debut in 2000 and went on to make 42 appearances for the team.
However, Hargreaves’ career was hampered by injuries that cropped up in 2006 after being named England Player of the Year.
Atiba Hutchinson
Hutchinson has had a successful career playing for club teams overseas. He is considered one of the best Canadian soccer players of all time and has also made significant contributions to the country’s national team.
Hutchinson began his professional career in 2002, playing for York Region Shooters in the Canadian Professional Soccer League. He then moved to Sweden, where he played for Öster and Helsingborg. He has also played for Copenhagen and PSV Eindhoven. He joined Beşiktaş in Turkey in 2013.
Hutchinson quickly established himself as a key player for Beşiktaş, helping the team win multiple Turkish Super Lig championships
Hutchinson’s success in Turkey has been due to his versatility and skill on the field. He is known for his ability to play in multiple positions, including midfield and defense, and his work rate and tactical awareness have made him a valuable asset for his teams.
In addition to his success at the club level, Hutchinson has also made significant contributions to the Canadian national team. He made his debut for his country in 2003 and has since gone on to make over 100 appearances for the team with nine goals.
Lang played as a striker for the Canadian women’s national team. She is considered one of the best female soccer players in her country’s history and has made significant contributions to the team’s success over the years.
Lang made her debut for the Canadian national team at the age of 15 and quickly established herself as a talented and dynamic player. She played in two FIFA Women’s World Cups and two Olympic Games, including the 2008 Beijing Olympics where she scored one goal
In total, Lang scored 34 goals in 92 appearances for Canada, making her one of the team’s top scorers of all time. Her ability to create scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates was a key factor in Canada’s success on the international stage.
After retiring at the age of 24 due to knee and ACL injuries, Lang worked as a television analyst and commentator for soccer broadcasts and has been involved in numerous initiatives aimed at promoting and advancing women’s soccer in Canada.
Other Soccer Standouts from Canada
Craig Forrest
Alex Bunbury
Julian de Guzman
Bob Lenarduzzi
Tomasz Radzinski
Randy Samuel
Dale Mitchell
Colin Miller
Jason de Vos
Carl Valentine
Final Thoughts
Canada has produced some truly remarkable soccer players over the years. From the prolific goal-scoring of Christine Sinclair to the leadership and versatility of Atiba Hutchinson, and the impressive careers of Dwayne De Rosario, Kara Lang, and Owen Hargreaves, these players have made a significant impact on Canadian soccer and on the international stage.
Their achievements, both individually and as members of their club and national teams, have brought great pride to soccer fans in the Great White North and have helped to raise the profile of the sport in the country. These players have inspired a new generation of young Canadian soccer players and have left a lasting legacy in the world of soccer.
While there have been many other talented Canadian soccer players throughout history, these ffive stand out for their contributions and their impact on the sport. They have set a high standard for future generations to strive for and have firmly established themselves as some of the best Canadian soccer players of all time.
Soccer is the most popular sport played and watched in the world, yet it is one rarely talked about in the United States. Why is this?
Hi, my name is Adrian Turner and I am a self-proclaimed soccer head.
Since I was young, I have always been fascinated by soccer, and any of the games I could find on the TV channels. There weren’t many games broadcast, so thankfully I could find more on the internet as I grew up.
I turned all of my friends onto soccer and we’d play into the evenings after school.
