Joel Waterman

Joel Robert Waterman (born January 24, 1996) is a Canadian soccer player who plays as a centre-back, right-back or defensive midfielder for Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer and the Canada national team.

Early life Waterman began playing soccer at age five with Aldergrove Youth SC. At age 12, he joined Langley United. Afterwards, he played with Surrey United SC.

When he was 13, he made the British Columbia provincial team.

University career In 2014, he began attending Trinity Western University, where he played for the men's soccer team, committing to them when he was in Grade 11. Ahead of his fifth season, he was named the team captain, and helped them win a Canada West silver medal and finished fourth at the National Championship. He was also named a Canada West First Team All Star that season.

Club career Early career In 2016, Waterman played in the US-based Premier Development League side Kitsap Pumas and made eleven league appearances, while also appearing in two US Open Cup matches. In 2017, Waterman played with Vancouver-based TSS FC Rovers in the PDL, where he made eleven appearances. In 2018, Waterman played for Calgary Foothills in the PDL, making fourteen league appearances and another three in the playoffs as Foothills won the PDL Championship.

Cavalry FC At the 2018 CPL–U Sports Draft, Waterman was drafted in the second round by Cavalry FC on November 13, 2018. Initially, he had not planned on declaring for the draft, instead looking at potentially going to Europe or the United States, however, two days before the registration deadline, he decided to register. He officially signed with Cavalry on February 6, 2019.

Waterman made his professional debut for Cavalry in their inaugural game against York9 FC on May 4. He scored his first goal for Cavalry on October 5 against HFX Wanderers FC. He helped Cavalry win the Spring and Fall championships and helped them reach the CPL finals, where they finished second, where he was unable to play in the second leg after being sent off in the first leg for a hand ball. In December 2019, Cavalry announced Waterman would return to the club for the 2020 season.

CF Montréal

On January 14, 2020, Waterman transferred to Major League Soccer club Montreal Impact. With this transfer, Waterman made history as the first ever player from the Canadian Premier League to be sold to an MLS club. He made his debut for the Impact on February 19 against Saprissa in a CONCACAF Champions League match. He made his MLS debut for the Impact in their season opener against the New England Revolution on February 29. Upon completion of the 2021 MLS season, CF Montréal announced that they would be exercising the option on Waterman's contract for 2022.

In 2022, he became a regular starter for the club. During the 2022 season, he scored his first goal for Montreal against Orlando City on May 7, netting the opener in an eventual 4-1 victory. On August 4, he scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time to secure a 2-1 win over the Columbus Crew. In March 2023 Waterman signed a new contract with Montreal through 2024, with an option for 2025. In November 2024, Waterman would sign a contract extension through the 2027 season, with an option for 2028.

Chicago Fire

In August 2025, Waterman was traded to Chicago Fire FC in exchange for $500,000 in General Allocation Money and $100,000 in performance-based money. He made his debut for his new club on September 13 against New York City FC in a 3-1 defeat. Waterman scored his first goal for the Fire on September 20 against Minnesota United, netting the opening goal in an eventual 3-0 victory.

International career He was called up to the Canadian senior national team for the first time for a national team camp in January 2021. He earned several more call-ups to the squad during 2021 and 2022. On November 11, 2022, he made his debut for Canada in a friendly against Bahrain. On November 13, Waterman was named to Canada's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

In June 2024, Waterman was named to Canada's squad for the 2024 Copa América, as an injury replacement for Junior Hoilett. In July 2025, he was called up to Canada's team for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. In May 2026, Waterman was named to Canada's 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Career statistics

Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals Kitsap Pumas 2016

Honours Club Calgary Foothills Premier Development League: 2018 Cavalry FC Canadian Premier League Finals Runners-up: 2019 Canadian Premier League (Regular season): Champions: Spring 2019, Fall 2019 CF Montreal Canadian Championship: 2021