Five years ago, the New York-born Canadian striker wasn’t even a pro. Now, he’s a sought-after talent and a chief actor for one of the best underdog stories in Qatar.
Back when Umbro helped set the standard in global soccer culture, and back when print ads still mattered, there was a memorable one produced by the English outfitter that featured four children playing pickup on a street bathed in shadows created by a highway overpass. It looked like a dirty, dangerous place for kids to play, but the poignant place to live their love for the game.
The tagline read, “99.