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CanMNT: Best sarting XI based on FIFA 20 career mode potential

By Ivan Ornelas

USMNT, MLS, CanMNT, Alphonso Davies (Photo by Max Maiwald/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
USMNT, MLS, CanMNT, Alphonso Davies (Photo by Max Maiwald/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /
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(L-R) Franz Brorsson of Malmo FF, Cyle Christopher Larin of Besiktas JK, Rasmus Bengtsson of Malmo FF during the UEFA Europa League group I match between between Besiktas AS and Malmo FF at the Besiktas Park on December 13, 2018 in Istanbul, Turkey(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
(L-R) Franz Brorsson of Malmo FF, Cyle Christopher Larin of Besiktas JK, Rasmus Bengtsson of Malmo FF during the UEFA Europa League group I match between between Besiktas AS and Malmo FF at the Besiktas Park on December 13, 2018 in Istanbul, Turkey(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /

Front Three

RW: Ballou Tabla

Age: 20

Starting Rating: 64

Potential: 75

Club: Montreal Impact

Potential Player Comparisons: Matt Phillips (Scotland/West Brom), Daniel Royer (Austria/New York Red Bulls), Jeff Hendricks (Ireland/Burnley)

The future of Canada as a country is multicultural and Ballou Tabla continues this trend from a soccer perspective. Born in Abidjan, he moved to Montreal at a young age and got his breakthrough in the senior team in 2017. His move to Barcelona caught a lot of attention as it’s not every day that Canadian players are signed by one of the biggest clubs in the world, but thus far, he has exclusively played for Barcelona B. His FIFA 20 potential is likely due to his connection to Barcelona, but he is now permanently back at Montreal and has some work to do to get his career back on track.

LW: Liam Millar

Age: 19

Starting Rating: 64

Potential: 76

Club: Listed by FIFA 20 as Free Agent (most recently Kilmarnock on loan from Liverpool)

Potential Player Comparisons: Salomon Kalou (Cote D’Ivoire/Hertha Berlin), Mohamed Elyounoussi (Norway/Celtic), Luciano Vietto (Argentina/Sporting CP)

It’s tough enough for good players like Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri to get gametime behind Liverpool’s world-class trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino. It is no surprise, then, that Liam Millar is even further off Liverpool’s radar. Millar only scored once in 22 appearances for Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock before his loan was terminated. Like Tabla, his potential can be attributed to his association with a big club, but he has yet to impress at the top level. His only two appearances in the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup came as a substitute against Cuba and Martinique. He has his work cut out for him if he is to achieve his potential with the CanMNT.

ST: Cyle Larin

Age: 24

Starting Rating: 73

Potential: 78

Club: Zulte-Waregem (on loan from Besiktas)

Potential Player Comparisons: Javier Hernández (Mexico/LA Galaxy), Stevan Jovetic (Montenegro/AS Monaco), Felipe Caicedo (Ecuador/Lazio)

The most controversial player on this list, Cyle Larin’s FIFA 20 potential could be higher but he likely only has himself to blame. The first pick of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft following a prolific college career with the UConn Huskies, he scored 17 goals in 27 games in his rookie season with Orlando City to become the MLS Rookie of the Year. His total record with the Lions of 44 goals in 89 appearances echoes that of David with Gent.

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However, in June 2017, Larin was arrested for a DUI and faced a suspension. He was also left off of Canada’s 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup roster and only started one game in the 2019 edition. His career is at a crossroads right now and his ability or inability to turn things around could make a huge difference for the future of the CanMNT.

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