Canada Soccer announced on Thursday that Whitecaps FC BMO Academy goalkeeper Max Anchor, midfielder Matteo Campagna, and striker Theo Afework have been called up for the 2019 Concacaf U-15 Championship. The tournament will take place from August 4 to 12 at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Prior to the tournament, Canada will train at the Tournament Sportsplex of Tampa Bay from July 24 to 31.
Canada’s three group matches will be played across four days: El Salvador on Sunday, August 4 (9 a.m. local / 6 a.m. PT); Slovenia on Monday, August 5 (9 a.m. local / 6 a.m. PT); and Guadeloupe on Wednesday, August 7 (11 a.m. local / 8 a.m. PT).
Anchor started 11 of his 13 appearances in net for the ‘Caps during the 2018-19 Development Academy season. Campagna recorded one goal while starting 21 of 22 league matches. Afework led the team in scoring with 19 goals, scoring at nearly a goal per game pace with 19 starts and 20 appearances. All three players also took on international competition with the ‘Caps at the 2019 SportChain Cup in Rotterdam, Netherlands in April.
“This first international experience is an exciting moment for these young men, but also for the program because these players represent the first generation of Canadians who will have the opportunity to experience all of the EXCEL cycles from U-15 through to U-23,” said Andrew Olivieri, Canada Soccer’s men’s EXCEL U-14 to U-17 program director. “These players will benefit from full NEX-PRO and Regional EXCEL integration strategies as well as the integration of pro academy and provincial staff who will provide important contributions to our success during this competition.”
Canada’s three group matches will be played across four days: El Salvador on Sunday, August 4 (9 a.m. local / 6 a.m. PT); Slovenia on Monday, August 5 (9 a.m. local / 6 a.m. PT); and Guadeloupe on Wednesday, August 7 (11 a.m. local / 8 a.m. PT).
Canada Soccer has delivered the Men’s EXCEL Program curriculum to its players through the professional clubs and provincial/territorial member associations. The NEX-PRO integration visits provided Canada Soccer with the opportunity to share tactical ID and culture concepts while also assessing player development for future EXCEL activity as players progress to the Men’s National Team.
Both the preparation camp and Concacaf Boys’ Under-15 Championship will keep the Canada squad together for close to three weeks from late July to mid-August. The U-15 squad will be coached by Canada Soccer’s Men’s EXCEL Development Coach Eric Tenllado. The camp will help lay the foundation for the Men’s EXCEL Program as the young players progress towards the Men’s National Team.
CANADA
GK- Max Anchor | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy
GK- Dino Bontis | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
CB- Loïc Cloutier | CAN / Académie de l’Impact de Montréal
CB- Markus Pusztahegyi | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
FB- Renaud Caron | CAN / Académie de l’Impact de Montréal
FB- Josh Gordon | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
M- Luca Accettola | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
M- Jordan Alvarez | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
M- Matteo Campagna | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy
M- Malik Daouda | CAN / Académie de l’Impact de Montréal
M- Maël Henry | CAN / Académie de l’Impact de Montréal
M- Nathan-Saliba Saliba | CAN / Académie de l’Impact de Montréal
M- Marko Stojadinovic | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
F- Theo Afework | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy
F- Jean-Aniel Assi | CAN / Académie de l’Impact de Montréal
F- Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
F- Hugo Mbongue Mbongue | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
F- Charles-Étienne Volcy | CAN / Académie de l’Impact de Montréal
