Photo by Canada Soccer (CSA)
TORONTO — Canada Soccer will honour Julian de Guzman at halftime of the men's national team's Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal home leg against Guatemala on Monday, Nov. 16 at BMO Field, celebrating his induction into the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2026 in front of family, friends and Canadian supporters.
"Coming home to Toronto to celebrate this induction in front of my family, friends and Canadian supporters means the world to me," de Guzman said in a Canada Soccer release. "Every cap I earned for Canada was a privilege and an honour, and none of it would have been possible without the teammates, coaches and staff who supported me throughout my career. Seeing how far this program has come makes it even more special to be part of its history."
De Guzman set a Canada record with 89 international "A" appearances from 2002 to 2016, including 25 starts with the captain's armband. He was a Canada Soccer Player of the Year, a Concacaf Gold Cup most valuable player and a three-time Gold Cup all-star, represented Canada in four cycles of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and six editions of the Gold Cup, and reached the Concacaf semifinals in 2002 and 2007. He also played at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2001.
At the club level, de Guzman made more than 150 appearances across Germany's Bundesliga and Spain's La Liga and was named Deportivo La Coruña's player of the year in 2007-08. He was a three-time Canadian Championship winner with Toronto FC and wrapped up his career with Ottawa Fury FC, winning the 2015 NASL fall season title.
Before Monday's kickoff, de Guzman will host an autograph signing from 6:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. at the Canada Soccer Tent inside the gates on the North patio by Gate 1 at BMO Field.
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