It’s official, a Scarborough “born and raised” player is playing in the biggest show on earth – otherwise known as the World Cup of Soccer.
Jonathan de Guzman, who played his first eight years of soccer in Scarborough – albeit from the age of four to 12 – has made the final 23 players for Holland.
However, media reports from Brazil indicate de Guzman, who is coming off a minor hamstring injury and who only went through his first full practice with the team on the weekend, will not be ready to play Holland’s opener against Spain Friday, June 13.
The 26-year-old Scarborough product who just finished his second season with Swansea City in the English Premier League suited up with North Scarborough Soccer Club teams during his pre-teens while attending St. Rose of Lima Catholic elementary school.
His older brother is 33-year-old Julian de Guzman, a former Toronto FC designated player now playing in Greece’s top division, who is, ironically, a much-capped veteran of Canada’s national team.
As it explains on Jonathan’s official biography at fifa.com:
“Born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario, Jonathan de Guzman was widely expected to follow his older brother, Julian, by declaring his allegiance to his native Canada. Instead, and having joined Feyenoord’s youth system at the tender age of 12, he opted for the Netherlands after gaining Dutch citizenship in 2008.”
Indeed, Jonathan spent his entire teen years growing up in Holland, as opposed to brother Julian, a former student at Scarborough’s Blessed Cardinal Newman CSS, who didn’t head overseas until he was 16.
In 2010, the Netherlands finished as finalists for the third time, losing to Spain 1-0 on a goal in the 116th minute.
Jonathan will no doubt be looking to add another gold to his medal collection which does include – from his youth – a gold medal from Scarborough’s prestigious Robbie soccer tournament.
In previous years the two brothers hosted a charity match at Birchmount stadium during The Robbie International Soccer Tournament, which is held annualy in Scarborough.
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