Former Orangemen Play for Canadian World Cup Team
1/20/2004 3:26:02 PM | Men's Soccer
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Former SU soccer standouts Gabriel Gervais and Patrice Bernier were in the starting lineup for the Canadian World Cup Team's 1-0 victory versus Barbados on January 18.
Both players were named to the 15-man roster for the friendly on January 7. The match was preceded by a training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The match was Gervais' World Cup Team debut. Bernier has now played four matches with the squad.
Bernier made a large impact on the Orangemen in his short career. After being named to the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team in 1998, Bernier was a first-team All-BIG EAST and first-team All-New York State pick after scoring five goals and eight assists. Bernier signed with the Montreal Impact of the A-League following his sophomore season. He was called up to the Canadian World Cup team on March 29, 2003 versus Estonia. Bernier played on the Canadian Olympic (U-23) Team in 2000. He has distinguished himself as one of the few Canadians to have participated in national team play at every level (U-17, U-20, U-23 and full National Team). He signed with Moss FK (Norway) in January of 2003.
Gervais made an immediate impact upon entering the professional ranks. In his first season with the Toronto ThunderHawks, Gervias was named to the NPSL’s All-Rookie Team after scoring 10 goals and 15 assists. He returned for his second season with the Rochester Rhinos in 2001 after helping the squad to the 2000 A-League championship. Gervais is in his second season with Montreal. One of the most decorated Orangemen in history, this two-time captain was named All-BIG EAST in 1999. His 12 goals and five assists also netted him All-New York State honors in 1999.
Orangemen players are scattered throughout various national teams. Alim Karim is involved with both the Canadian U-20 and Under-23 squads, while teammates Richard Asante and Frank Bruno both participated on the Under-20 squad. SU sophomore Isaac Collings has played on the United States Under-18 team.
