OTTAWA, ON - The Canadian Soccer Association announced on Friday that five players from Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-16 Residency have been named to Canada’s 19-man squad for the upcoming Mexican Cup of Nations tournament.
Included on the roster are goalkeeper Aidan Aylward, defenders Matthew Baldisimo (pictured) and Kadin Chung, as well as striker Terran Campbell and Daniel Sagno.
Aylward, Baldisimo, and Campbell were part of Canada’s roster for the U-15 edition of the Mexican Cup of Nations in 2013. Earlier this year, Baldisimo, Campbell, and Chung were also named to the Canadian side for the 2014 Montaigu Tournament in France.
“It will be great to get the group together for the second time this year,” said Canadian U-17 head coach Sean Fleming, who led the Canadian side during the Montaigu Tournament. “There are several new players since the France project which I hope will continue to improve the quality of the squad.”
This year’s edition of the Mexican Cup of Nations, which runs from August 2 to 10, will give Fleming and the Canadian brass another look at the players that they have to work with as the squad prepares for the 2015 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, which will take place in Honduras in February and March of next year, and will serve as the qualifying tournament for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
In the high altitudes of Mexico City, Canada will open the 16-team tournament against stiff competition in Group B.
First off, the Canadian squad will face CONCACAF rivals Costa Rica on August 2 before taking on Korea Republic and Brazil over the next two days. Following the initial three matches, the top two clubs from the group will advance to the elimination round.
“We have three quality opponents in three days which will test our players and it is exactly what we want at this stage of the cycle,” said Fleming. “We will have to cope with the altitude which will be another great test for the group.”
CANADA
GK- Aidan Aylward | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
GK- Corey Chambers | IRL / Home Farm FC
D- Matthew Baldisimo | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
D- Gabriel Boakye | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
D- Kadin Chung | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
D- Kosovar Sadiki | CAN / Kitchener Soccer Club
D- William Fiore | CAN / Calgary Foothills FC
M- Munir Saleh | CAN / Kitchener Soccer Club
M- Harry Paton | ENG / Fulham FC U18 Academy
M- Zorhan Bassong | NED / RSC Anderlecht
M- Aidan Daniels | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
M- Jordan Montoya | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
M- Jean-Yves Tabla | CAN / Panellinios
M- Tristan Borges | CAN / West Toronto Cobras
M- Luka Gluscevic | SRB / FK Rad Beograd
M- Kevin Timacy | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
F- Terran Campbell | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
F- Daniel Sagno | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
F- Malik Johnson | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
