Jonathan Osorio, the Canadian Soccer League rookie of the year in 2012 while playing for SC Toronto, looked very much the part after entering the field for Canada at 62 minutes in an international friendly against Panama which ended in a scoreless tie at the Rommel Fernandez Stadium in Panama City November 18.
Osorio was picked up by his present club, Toronto FC, following an impressive season in the CSL which included a number of key goals that helped SC Toronto clinch the First Division runner-up spot. It was considered the Toronto west-end team’s best season ever following a 21-game regular season league schedule.
Osorio scored 11 goals that season, highlighted by a hat-trick in a 5-0 away victory at London August 17, a win that put SC Toronto briefly on top of the First Division.
Osorio made his MLS debut for Toronto FC on March 9, 2013 and scored his first goal against the Los Angeles Galaxy March 30. Following a successful 2013 season he trained with English club Huddersfield Town and the Bundesliga’s Werder Bremen during the off season.The 22 year-old Toronto-born midfielder has made appearances for Canada at various youth levels before his debut for the senior side on May 28, 2013.
Other former CSL players in the Panama friendly were Atiba Hutchinson (formerly with York Region Shooters), Doneil Henry (formerly TFC Academy), Patrice Bernier and Karl Ouimette, both formerly with Montreal Impact Academy. More than 40 former CSL players have been selected for various national teams in recent years.
Canadian team goalkeeper Milan Borjan was outstanding to be picked Man of the Match following a number of spectacular saves that prevented Panama from scoring. Milan is the son of Bosko Borjan who won the CSL championship as president of Brantford Galaxy in 2010.
