Former Cavalry FC defender Joel Waterman has been called up by the Canadian men’s national team for the 2024 Copa América tournament.

The 28-year-old, who currently plays for CF Montréal in MLS, was called in as an injury replacement for midfielder Junior Hoilett.

Waterman, a native of Surrey, B.C., last appeared for Canada when he went 90 minutes in a 2-0 victory against Trinidad and Tobago back in March. That win qualified Canada for the 2024 Copa América tournament.

He has three caps for Canada overall, and was part of the squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This season for CF Montréal, he has made 17 starts in all competitions.

Waterman played for Cavalry in the Canadian Premier League during the league’s inaugural season in 2019 after being selected in the second round of the 2018 CPL-U SPORTS Draft out of Trinity Western University. He made 25 appearances for the Cavs in 2019, helping them to reach the league’s first-ever CPL Final.

Canada kick off the 2024 Copa América tournament against Lionel Messi and Argentina on Thursday, June 20 in Atlanta in the competition’s opening match. Their group also includes Peru and Chile.

Waterman recently faced off against Messi in Major League Soccer action, with his CF Montréal team falling 3-2 to Inter Miami at Stade Saputo on May 11.