WHEN Canada play Jamaica today in an International Friendly, it will be business as usual for the Maple Leaf boys. But for top midfielder Julian de Guzman, it is a moment to cherish because of his Jamaican heritage.

“For me it is special because I know a lot about the Jamaican culture, the music and the football mentality,” de Guzman told the Sunday Observer.

“But at the same time it comes down to business and the experience that we do need to qualify for the World Cup,” said

de Guzman, 31, whose mother Pauline is Jamaican and his father Bobby De Guzman from the Phillipines.

He has represented that country since 2002, establishing himself as arguably their best player.

“My mom was born in Spanish Town, St Catherine, and moved to Canada when she was nine. But we still have family out here that we are in touch with… aunts, uncles and grandparents, and it is always a pleasure for me to come back here and be able to visit my roots,” said de Guzman.

de Guzman, who first visited the island when he was very young, last had a chance to visit a few years ago but said he wished it was every year.

“The last time was in 2007 when we had a friendly game and I had a chance to visit my family. The first time I was here I must have been about two,” said the Toronto FC player.

“I’m always looking forward to playing against Jamaica. As for a competition, it’s one of the toughest ones in CONCACAF and this is the type of experience the national team needs because this is what it takes to qualify for the World Cup,” he explained.

de Guzman, who made is name playing for Deportivo de La Coruña, was the first Canadian to play in the Spanish La Liga.

He was discovered by representatives of French outfit Olympique Marseille before moving to Germany second division side FC Saarbrücken in 2001.

The following year he joined newly-promoted Hannover 96, becoming only the third Canadian to play in the German Bundesliga. He played three seasons for Hannover, making 78 appearances.

But he hit the big times when he moved to Spanish outfit Deportivo La Coruña in 2005 and later played a starring role in the club’s remarkable turnaround in the 2007-2008 season to avoid relegation and gain a spot in the UEFA Cup. He was later named the team’s player of the season.

De Guzman, known for his playmaking skills rather than for scoring goals, netted only once for his Spanish club, and it came against Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2005.

His contract with Deportivo expired in the summer of 2009 and he moved to Toronto FC as their first designated player in September 2009 after seven years in Europe.

The designated player rule was implemented prior to the 2007 MLS season, granting each team the ability to sign a player whose salary, above a capped amount, will fall outside of the team salary budget. The cost above the salary budget is the financial responsibility of the club.

Currently there are seven designated players in the MLS: David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago), Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls), Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus), Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle), Luciano Emilio (DC) and Luis Angel Landin (Houston).

“It has been real good. The last time I left Canada was about 12 years ago and that time I have been in Europe… France, Germany and Spain and now I am back home and close to the family and still able to play is fantastic. I’m enjoying every moment that I can and I will make the best of it,” said de Guzman.

The midfielder also played at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina and was named tournament MVP of the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

His younger brother, Jonathan de Guzman (22), who also has Jamaican heritage, plays for Dutch club Feyenoord and has chosen to represent the Netherlands after gaining Dutch citizenship.