Alistair Johnston's Sunday will be different than most matchdays. The Nashville SC defender won't be able to head to his Midtown apartment gym for a morning stretch, nor go on his neighborhood walk.
An afternoon nap before heading to Nissan Stadium might be his only sense of normalcy.
Johnston's morning will begin in a hotel on Broadway, amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.
But the starkest difference is the 22-year-old right back won't be playing for Nashville SC in his home MLS stadium. Johnston will play for Canada. And instead of being the home team hero, Johnston will be the opponent against the U.S. Men's National Team during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier (7 p.m., FS1).
"It's going to be completely different, but yet, just a weird vibe, being in your home city but it's a completely different thing at the same time," Johnston said. "At the end of the day, I still think it's just another game and I'll be able to wrap my mind around that once I get down there. But it will definitely be a surreal feeling."
Canada began their third-round World Cup qualifying journey Thursday in Toronto against Honduras. Eight nations, including Canada and the U.S., are vying for three automatic bids for the World Cup in Qatar next year. The fourth-place team in the North, Central and Caribbean region could qualify in an intercontinental playoff in June 2022.
Canada has called up Johnston in the previous two rounds as well, in March and June. After making his debut on March 25,...
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