MOSCOW — The scene is the training complex of the Vancouver Whitecaps, and Kendall Waston is about to find out that he made Costa Rica’s 2018 World Cup squad.
Stepping on the pitch was his wife and son to bring the Vancouver Whitecaps captain the excellent news that he had made the Los Ticos squad.
His inclusion in the squad is a long-term fulfilment for the centerback. Four years ago, Waston was also hopeful about being included in the Costa Rica national team, but he was left out of the side that stormed all the way to the quarterfinals of the tournament – there Los Ticos were eliminated by the Netherlands.
“It’s a huge accomplishment,” Waston said following his nomination. “I feel very happy, very proud. There are a lot of emotions going on at this moment.”
The nomination for the tournament is in many ways makes up for missing out on Brazil four years ago.
“In my mind, I remember four years ago,” Waston said. “It’s a different feeling. Now I can enjoy this moment.”
Missing out on the tournament seems to have been a catalyst for Waston, however. In August 2014, he joined the Whitecaps and quickly became the most consistent player for the team.
“Since I came here, I have grown a lot. Every day is very intense here and everyone works very hard. The way the league is played has helped me grow my football,” Waston said.
Both a rock in the back but also a player for the key moments, Waston has managed to score 12 goals in 102 Major League Soccer games.
At 6 feet, 5 inches tall, Waston is a weapon whenever he comes forward for corner kicks or free kicks. It is an ability that also has translated to the national team, as Waston scored an added-time equalizer against Honduras in qualifying last year to punch Costa Rica’s ticket to Russia.
Costa Rica, of course, will try to emulate the success from four years ago. But drawn in a group with Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia, Los Ticos have a tough path ahead of them. They faltered in their opening match Sunday, losing 1-0 to Serbia at Samara Arena.
“The first game is the most important one, and obviously from there, we can see. But I think we have chances to make the next round,” Waston said ahead of the World Cup.
At the same time, he seems to relish the chance to play the likes of Brazil at the World Cup.
“Brazil is a great team; everyone knows every player and their potential. Playing against them will be nice and a fantastic experience for all of us,” Waston said.
It will be the sort of experience that could make Waston further grow his game, something that will also benefit the Whitecaps in the long-term. Short-term, however, Whitecaps’ head coach Carl Robinson will be without his key player.
But Robinson’s sense of pride overshadows the daunting task of having to replace his captain for the up to four matches Waston could miss while on international duty. And the Whitecaps staff knows he will return stronger than ever.
For Waston, the World Cup journey has just begun. He must put Serbia behind him and look forward to Brazil on Friday in St. Petersburg before finally playing Switzerland in Nizhny Novgorod June 27.