Stephen Eustaquio juggles duties with Porto and Canada
Porto midfielder Stephen Eustaquio in action during the 0-0 Club World Cup Group A draw against Palmeiras at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on June 15. PHOTO: REUTERS
East Rutherford – Portuguese club Porto's squad for the Club World Cup includes midfielder Stephen Eustaquio, the captain of Canada, who is also listed in his national team's roster for the ongoing Concacaf Gold Cup being held in the United States.
Having a player represent both his club and national team in two official competitions at the same time is a rare occurrence in football history.
Porto began their campaign in the revamped tournament with a goalless draw against Brazil's Palmeiras on June 15 in East Rutherford, just one day before Canada's Gold Cup opener in Vancouver.
With the Gold Cup jointly hosted by Canada and the United States, and the Canadian team moving on to Houston, for the rest of their group stage matches, the possibility of Eustaquio joining the squad became realistic, provided Porto's journey in the Club World Cup ends.
The flight from East Rutherford to Houston takes about three hours.
'(It's) allowed by Fifa and Concacaf,' Canada's media office told Reuters.
'Eustaquio was named to both rosters a few weeks back, and if fit and able, he will join Canada Soccer's men's national team following Porto's conclusion at the Club World Cup,' the national team added in an e-mail.
The inclusion of the 28-year-old Eustaquio in both squads comes at a time when many players are wary of fatigue at the end of the season.
Porto did not respond to Reuters' request for comment.
The Portuguese side wrap up the group stage with a match against Egypt's Al Ahly on June 23. It remains unclear whether they will progress to the knockout rounds.
Porto are third in Group A with one point from two games, ahead of Al Ahly only on goal difference. Palmeiras and Miami have four points.
Canada, meanwhile, crushed Honduras 6–0, and drew 1-1 with Curacao on June 21. They conclude the group stage against El Salvador on June 24.
At Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Nathan Saliba scored Canada's goal in the ninth minute, collecting a deflection of a free kick and burying a strike into the bottom left of the net. But Curacao equalised four minutes into added time via Jeremy Antonisse.
Canada top Group B with four points from two games, one ahead of Honduras. Curacao are third on two points, while El Salvador prop up the group on one point.
Meanwhile, at the Club World Cup, Eustaquio came off the bench in the draw against Palmeiras and the 2-1 loss to Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.
The Canadian team said: 'We want him to do well in the Club World Cup and we also would welcome him back into the men's run at the Gold Cup.' REUTERS
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