After success in St. Louis, Manitoba centre back Kyle Hiebert makes Canada debut

'It just seems to keep getting better and better.'

Kyle Hiebert is having a year to remember. And it’s only March.

The 25-year-old from La Salle, Man., has helped expansion St. Louis City SC to a record 5-0 start to life in Major League Soccer. And now the centre back can call himself a Canadian international after coming off the bench in Canada’s 4-1 win over Honduras in CONCACAF Nations League play Tuesday at Toronto’s BMO Field.

“An amazing experience,” Hiebert said after the match. “It’s a great group of guys. And to come in and contribute to a big win that puts us through to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Nations League is something I’ll never forget.”

Tuesday’s lopsided victory sealed first place for Canada in Group C of League A, the top tier in the 41-team Nations League. And it earned them a berth in the tournament’s final four June 15-18 in Las Vegas, where the 53rd-ranked Canadian men (3-1-0) will face No. 61 Panama (3-0-1) in one semifinal while the 13th-ranked U.S. (3-0-1) takes on No. 15 Mexico (2-0-2) in the other.

Hiebert, a late call-up replacing the injured Kamal Miller of CF Montreal, came on in the 62nd minute for Scott Kennedy.

“He put a real shift in (this week),” said Canada coach John Herdman. “He’s a good teammate, just a real solid Canadian.

“He looked a little bit nervous coming in to start, but who wouldn’t. But he settled in. He knew his role. All week, he’s just been all in. He’s brought maximum intensity and he’s actually got quite a big personality as well behind the scenes. He’s a good guy and he’s been a good team player.

“The universe turned to get him his debut tonight. It will be a moment, I think, (that) will live for him for ever.”