Walsall defender aims to write fresh history on international stage

Walsall defender Liam Gordon looked around him. AC Milan winger Christian Pulisic stood to his right, Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie stood to his left.

Somewhat starstruck, he then gawked at the crowd of 20,000, which had packed into the stadium. 

Gordon had yet to even make his Football League debut but here he was playing in the biggest game in Guyana's history.

"Words can't even describe how I was feeling," his beams.

"It was the first time that the country had qualified for the Gold Cup. It was a massive occasion for the nation and for myself. 

"I was nervous, but proud as well. My family were proud for me and I was proud for myself. 

"The first game was against USA in the Gold Cup. That was unbelievable and one of my favourite moments for club and country.

"There were 20,000 there against the USA. That was the opening game and it was hosted in America so that was the biggest game up until the knockout rounds. 

"It was a pinch myself moment but I was grateful to have the opportunity. I've still got that same gratitude and I'm still humble and thankful every day to play for my country." 

Guyana were taught a lesson. Hosts USA cruised to a comfortable 4-0 victory but the occasion held much more significance than purely the result. 

A tiny nation, tucked away on the northern coast of South America, with just over 800,000 inhabitants, had defied the odds and Gordon was one of its history makers. 

They would bow out with just a single point in the group phase but the Golden Jaguars have the chance to write fresh history six years on. 

Gordon, now a fully-fledged international with 24 caps, has his sights set on repeating the feat in his date with destiny over the international break. 

A two-legged tie against Guatemala will decide whether Guyana do indeed grace the big stage again. 

For Gordon, it's about preserving old memories and creating new ones, with the next generation gunning to reach new heights.

"That was in 2019 and I've not looked back really," the Walsall defender continues. "We've got a lot to build on. There is a lot going on behind the scenes with Guyana and I'm in contact with them a lot of the time. 

"Hopefully we can keep on building because we've got a good young squad. Omari [Glasgow] just signed his first professional deal in America so it just shows the talent that we have. 

"There are a lot of gifted lads in Guyana who I hope can push through because opportunities are limited."

As for playing against some of the biggest names in football, Gordon is all the more wiser for the experience.  

"I was 20 then and you're a little bit naive. I've got a better game understanding now but you kind of show them a bit too much respect. 

"At the end of the day, they're all footballers. Now if I was going on the same pitch as them, I wouldn't care as much as I did then. 

"I was looking up to them thinking, 'wow, you're playing for Jamaica and you play in the Premier League', but now I don't care about any of that. 

"It's me against you and I've got to win that battle whereas before I probably didn't have that same mindset. Listen, it was a good test for me to play against the likes of them and hopefully I've got many of those games to come."