Owen Goodman has always felt a strong connection to Canada. To represent the men’s national soccer team, he needed to validate that sentiment.
Last month, the 21-year-old goalkeeper received a message from his immigration attorney in Toronto, requesting a Zoom meeting. Born in England, Goodman spent eight years in Alliston, Ontario, as a child and believed this was just another update in his lengthy citizenship process.
“After waiting for so long, you start to lose a bit of hope,” he reflected. “That’s where my mindset was.”
However, the call turned out to be the breakthrough he had been longing for: His childhood residency qualified him as a Canadian in the eyes of both the government and himself. This week, he is in Toronto for his inaugural senior international appearance with the national team, which includes a friendly match against Ecuador at BMO Field on Thursday.
“I felt shivers down my spine,” he recalled after his first training session on a chilly, windy Tuesday afternoon, reflecting on the call that changed everything. “I was overjoyed.”
He immediately contacted his English father and Nigerian mother—Goodman had received call-ups from all three national teams during his youth career—before texting Jan Lang, the Canadian team manager. Lang quickly informed head coach Jesse Marsch, who had nearly given up hope of seeing Goodman on his rising squad.
Lang smiled as he remembered that conversation on Tuesday. “Jesse was thrilled,” he shared.
Goodman makes a save while playing with Wimbledon in May. (Getty Images)
Goodman had just one final step to complete: he needed to come to Canada to take his Oath of Citizenship. The Crystal Palace product is currently on loan at Huddersfield Town; after playing against Wycombe in League One at the end of October, he hurried to catch a flight to Toronto.
He took his oath on his own Bible in his lawyer’s office, shared a hug with Lang outside, and then flew back to England, arriving just in time to resume training with Huddersfield.
“It felt like reaching a final and winning it,” Goodman expressed about the swift conclusion to his long journey. “That’s how it felt for me.”
Part of Goodman’s case for citizenship—including fond memories of his childhood order at Tim Horton’s, a cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese—was the potential of his career in goalkeeping. Just a few months earlier, Nigeria had extended an invitation for him to join its national team, but he declined, determined to pursue his dream of representing Canada.
“Many of my experiences here were among the best of my life,” he noted.
Now, he looks ahead to the future, a journey he is not alone in contemplating.
The choice of who will guard the net for Canada at next summer’s World Cup has become one of Marsch’s toughest challenges, admitting it has caused him sleepless nights.
Dayne St. Clair and Maxime Crépeau have been in a tightly contested race, with St. Clair’s height, athleticism, and current form with Minnesota United giving him a slight advantage. Meanwhile, Crépeau’s strengths—his passion, leadership, and experience—are harder to quantify.
Goodman with Wimbledon in 2024. (Getty Images)
However, since neither player has firmly established themselves in the role, there has been speculation about whether one of Canada’s third-string goalkeepers, like James Pantemis or Jayden Hibbert, might seize the opportunity. Following Tuesday’s frigid training session, Marsch seemed to clarify that discussion.
“I believe the World Cup starter will be Max or Dayne,” he stated.
Goodman recognizes the situation. His position demands a level of experience that might make it challenging for him to be considered as a serious candidate for the starting role next summer.
“Honestly, I’m just grateful to be here,” he said. “I’m enjoying every moment.”
Nevertheless, Goodman, who describes his ability to make close-range saves as his “superpower,” possesses the potential to play at the English Premier League level, and he is likely to secure a place on the World Cup roster, which will help prepare him for the 2030 tournament and beyond.
“For me, it’s been my dream,” Goodman asserted.
And he is someone who understands what it takes to achieve his aspirations.
