Jonathan Osorio, the Colombian who will qualify for Qatar 2022 with Canada

Although Canada lost the undefeated Concacaf qualifier on March 24, it was unreachable by Panama, fifth in the standings and at least will have access to a playoff against an ocean rival

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Mar 5, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Jonathan Osorio (21) controls the ball against New York Red Bulls during the first half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Jonathan Osorio (21) controls the ball against New York Red Bulls during the first half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The 29-year-old Colombian-Canadian midfielder Jonathan Osorio started during the 90-minute night this Thursday, March 24, in the clash between Costa Rica and Canada for the 12th final date of the Octagonal Final of the Concacaf qualifiers heading to the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

The North American team was defeated by the slightest difference against the Ticos and has just lost the undefeated competition at the National Stadium in San José against the national team led by Antioquia Luis Fernando Suárez after the goal scored by Celso Borges in the 45+1 minute of the commitment, but that does not detract from the illusion of have practically all the way carved out to travel to the Qatari heat.

The son of Colombian parents, but born in Toronto, Ontario, Osorio represents Canada and is one step away from playing the most important tournament of national teams after 36 years of absence from the orbital competition.

Today, Canada is a football benchmark in the North American and Caribbean Football Confederation (Concacaf). Assuming that the maple leaf team loses its two commitments against Jamaica (as a home) and against Panama (as a visitor), its current 25 points make it unattainable by the fifth of the competition (Panama), so at least it will be assured of a playoff against the Oceanian representative, which is usually New Zealand.

With a generation of young talents, the Canadian team has surprised as the leader of the octagonal final with 25 points, goal difference of +13 and a record of seven wins, four draws and one defeat with 19 goals scored and only six conceded.

The Americans are the team that least makes it the Concacaf qualifier that grants three and a half places to the World Cup. With international football figures and promises such as Alphonso Davies, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Tajon Buchanan and Jonathan David, the English-led John Herdman have everything ready for their trip to Asia at the end of the year.

The steering wheel Jonatan Osorio has spent his entire career as a professional at Toronto FC. Since 2012 he emerged from the lower divisions of the MLS Eastern Conference franchise and today he has accumulated 53 appearances for the national team and has scored seven goals in his international career.

In his last Major League Soccer match against DC United at BMO Field in Toronto, he comes from converting the goal of the 2-1 final with which the Canadian club scored its first three points in the 2022 season of the competition:

The son of a Vallecaucano and an Antioquia woman, at the age of four he started playing in a local futsal league in Toronto and later moved to Brampton where he continued his sports training. He then made his debut for Canada's senior national team in 2013 and since then he has also participated in the Canadian Championship.

He has already played five Gold Cups with his country and has managed to shoot in other teams such as Brampton Youth SC, Clarkson Sheridan SC and the Uruguayan National in Montevideo (between 2010 and 2012).

The Colombian is a multifunctional midfielder, the coaches he has had have used him as a brand, creative or left steering wheel and precisely that versatility has made him one of the unshakable ones on John Herdman's roster.

Meanwhile, this is how the Concacaf qualifying goes with the twelve dates played on the night of this Thursday, March 24:

1. Canada (25 points, goal difference of +13)

2. United States (22 points, goal difference of +9)

3. Mexico (22 points, goal difference of +6)

4. Costa Rica (19 points, goal difference of +2)

5. Panama (18 points, +1 goal difference)

6. El Salvador (10 points, goal difference of -7)

7. Jamaica (8 points, goal difference of -7)

8. Honduras (4 points, goal difference of -17)

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