‘Cuse Alumni Buchanan, Miller Represent Canada in FIFA World Cup

Syracuse men’s soccer alumni Tajon Buchanan and Kamal Miller begin their World Cup journey with the Canadian Men’s National Team on Wednesday, Nov. 23 against Belgium at 2 p.m. Buchanan and Miller are history makers, as they are the first two Syracuse alumni to participate in a FIFA Men’s World Cup. Fans can catch Buchanan and Miller take on European power Belgium live on FOX.

Miller was a two-time team captain and standout defender under head coach Ian McInytre from 2015-2018. The Pickering, Ontario native made 78 starts during his Orange career, scoring seven goals and registering three assists from the centerback position. Miller started in every match of his freshman campaign in 2015, teaming up with fellow freshman phenom Miles Robinson in leading the Orange to their first ever ACC Championship and College Cup appearance. Miller earned ACC All-Freshmen Team honors in 2015, along with All-ACC Third Team recognition his senior year in 2018.

As a professional, Miller has established himself as one of the best defenders in North America. Following his graduation from Syracuse, Miller was selected in the second round of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft by Orlando City, where he made 28 appearances. After the 2020 MLS Expansion Draft, Miller made a move to CF Montreal. In Montreal, Miller has been a staple in the starting XI, making 54 appearances and scoring three goals. Miller participated in the 2022 MLS All-Star Game, making Syracuse the only ACC school with a representative in the match.

With the Canadian Men’s National Team, Miller made his senior debut in 2019 as a part of CONCACAF Nations League qualifying. Since then, Miller has registered 28 appearances for the national team and was a prominent figure in Canada’s first successful World Cup qualification since 1986.

Buchanan, a native of Brampton, Ontario, arrived at Syracuse in 2017. In his Syracuse debut, Buchanan scored an overtime-winner against St. Louis in a 2-1 victory. Buchanan continued his solid form over the course of the 2017 season, scoring three more goals and adding two assists on his way to earning All-ACC Third Team and ACC All-Freshmen honors.

The 2018 season was a breakout campaign for Buchanan, as he led the Orange to the NCAA Tournament with eight goals, four assists and 20 points. In a 7-0 win over St. Bonaventure, Buchanan became just the 34^th player in Syracuse history to score a hat-trick. After earning first-team All-ACC honors, Buchanan signed a Generation adidas contract…