MIAMI, Florida – A final chance to watch a Concacaf legend in action will take place this Sunday, as 40-year-old Canada midfielder Atiba Hutchinson will play his final international match in the Final of the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League against the United States at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The list of accomplishments and honors that Hutchinson has racked up in his career are beyond impressive.
After helping his nation qualify for their first FIFA Men’s World Cup in 36 years at Qatar 2022, Hutchinson became the fourth-oldest player in FIFA history to have participated in a Men’s World Cup match at 39 years and 288 days.
In terms of Canada Soccer, Hutchinson’s name can be found at the top of numerous lists of all-time leaders.
No Canadian Men’s National Team player has more appearances and starts than Hutchinson with 103 and 94, respectively, while Hutchinson also leads the way in minutes played for Canada with 8,103.
The former Besiktas man also holds records for most wins by a Canada Men’s player with 43, the oldest goalscorer at age 38, most World Cup Qualifying matches (38) and WCQ cycles (6) and is tied with Julian de Guzman for most Concacaf Gold Cup tournaments with six.
Speaking in Saturday’s pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s Final, Canada Head Coach John Herdman reflected on what Hutchinson has meant to Canada Soccer.
“I think he's probably the greatest Canadian football player not many people know about. That was the reality until probably this World Cup, and people got to see him for who he really is in that Belgium game, leading his team,” said Herdman.
“He's everything for the team. He is everything for the country. He is everything for the people and the players. He wants nothing else but to see this country do well, and he's willing to sacrifice for that as well.
“It’ll be a privilege to spend [Sunday] night with him, and our gift to him will be to help him put his hands on that silverware. That that would be a special moment,” concluded Herdman.
