Four years ago, the Canadian quartet of Dwayne DeRosario, Julian de Guzman, Atiba Hutchinson and Patrice Bernier was lauded by many as "the best midfield in CONCACAF" as the team went into battle in World Cup qualifying.
That combination has yet to see the field together in Canada's quest towards Brazil 2014, but with all four healthy and playing regularly, it seems inevitable that the grand reunion will occur on Sept. 7, when Canada gets back at it against Panama.
But four years is a long time, especially in the world of sports, and all four of those men have gone through massive changes since Canada's unsuccessful attempt to qualify for South Africa 2010. Let's take a look at exactly how far the lads have come, and whether they may be able to finally deliver on all the promise they held back in 2008.
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Dwayne DeRosario
Where was he? Heading into World Cup qualifying in 2008, DeRo's club career was coming along swimmingly. His Houston Dynamo were coming off back-to-back MLS Cup championships, with DeRo playing a starring role each year (he won MLS Cup MVP in 2007, the first Canadian player to do so).
Where did he go? Late in 2008, after Canada's World Cup qualifying campaign had come to a premature end, DeRo was traded to his hometown Toronto FC. What should have been a glorious homecoming for a talented Canadian player, of course, ended in eventual disappointment. Miracle in Montreal, Celtic trial, cheque-signing motion, trade to New York. You know the deal.
Where is he now? Searching for his 100th career MLS goal as a member of D.C. United, a club where he seems to have found a level of comfort and success.
Julian de Guzman
Where was he? Fresh off being named MVP of Deportivo La Coruna in Spain's La Liga, as the club qualified for the UEFA Cup (now Europa League) for its 2007-08 campaign.
Where did he go? In 2009, he decided that as a professional athlete, he'd kind of enjoy being paid for his services, and said as much. His club, evidently, had other ideas. As did other clubs on the continent. So, he took a nice, big paycheque to become the first designated player in Toronto FC's history. What should have been a glorious homecoming for a talented Canadian player, of course, ended in eventual disappointment. (Notice a pattern here?)
Where is he now? Plying his trade for FC Dallas after a salary-dump trade by TFC in early 2012.
Atiba Hutchinson
Where was he? In the middle of his four-year tenure with F.C. Copenhagen, which had already included some European success (including a victory over Manchester United in the Champions League).
Where did he go? After a few more successful campaigns in Denmark, including winning the league's player of the year honours in 2010, he moved on to PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands. But knee troubles soon followed; he picked up an injury playing at the 2011 Gold Cup and needed surgery, ruling him out of most of Canada's 2014 World Cup qualifiers to this point.
Where is he now? Fit again and thriving at PSV, including potting a rather dandy goal this weekend.
Patrice Bernier
Where was he? Prior to Canada starting the third round of qualifying in 2008, Bernier made a move to F.C. Nordsjælland in Denmark, after a year with Kaiserslautern in the 2.Bundesliga.
Where did he go? Bernier spent three solid years with F.C. Nordsjælland, winning two Danish Cups, but suffered a fractured fibula in 2011. The injury ruled him out of the Gold Cup for Canada, but he did complete a move to another Danish club, Lyngby, before signing a deal to join his hometown Montreal Impact upon their entry to MLS in 2012.
Where is he now? After taking some time to work his way into the club, Bernier has become the Impact's talismanic leader as the team looks to challenge for a playoff spot in its expansion year.
Still the best midfield in CONCACAF?
Well, no one's making that claim anymore, but the quartet still has plenty to offer. DeRosario, at 34, is still one of the most dangerous offensive threats in a constantly-improving league, while 32-year-old Bernier has indisputably proven that he came to Montreal to play, not just sell jerseys. Hutchinson, 29, is not just supremely talented but versatile, having stepped in at right back for PSV on numerous occasions. And though de Guzman, 31, picked up his fair share of detractors during his time at Toronto, he's regularly managed to find another gear when wearing the national-team jersey.
Who's pushing them for playing time?
With Josh Simpson still out after suffering a broken leg earlier this year, the most likely candidate to push the above four for playing time is 25-year-old Will Johnson, who's become a fixture for Real Salt Lake and the senior national team in the past four years. Johnson could still be a starter, if DeRosario (as some would expect) lines up as a striker rather than a midfielder. A resurgent Terry Dunfield could also get consideration, but ultimately falls lower on the depth chart than the other aforementioned midfielders. Samuel Piette, 17, could be one for the future -- but not the present.
Can they get the job done?
Yet to be seen, of course. But with the possible exception of Hutchinson, this is the last realistic chance that these players have to qualify for a World Cup. All have long and illustrious careers with the national team, all have plenty of familiarity with one another (though in one instance, that may not necessarily be a good thing) and all know what needs to be done to compete in the bizarre little world known as CONCACAF.
In 2008, things quickly fell apart and the team mutinied under then-head-coach Dale Mitchell. Current head coach Stephen Hart -- who has been around the team, and these players, for a half-decade -- seems to have buy-in from the squad and its veterans. Of course, that could all change if results go sour once again.
Either way, these four know what's on the line, know what needs to be done, and know that it's their last chance to do so. Can they erase the ghosts of years gone by for the Canadian national team? We'll get our biggest and best clue on September 7.
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