Five Vancouver Whitecaps FC players have been called up to the Canadian U-17 national team in preparation for the 2019 Concacaf Men’s Under-17 Championship.
Canada’s 24-man roster includes Whitecaps FC midfielder Simon Colyn, U-23 development squad midfielders Kamron Habibullah and Damiano Pecile, and Academy centre backs Nathan Demian and Gianfranco Facchineri.
The 11-day camp takes place in Mexico from March 4-14 at the Mexican Football Federation training centre through a collaborative effort with Canada Soccer’s United 2026 partner Mexico.
“Some of these players are right at the start of their journey in the Men’s EXCEL Program, so they will be exposed to new concepts, new ideas, and a new program that is fully aligned to the Men’s National Team tactical and cultural frameworks,” said Andrew Olivieri, Men’s EXCEL U-14 to U-17 Program Director. “Many of these players have already been exposed to these concepts through our NEX-PRO Integration strategy and can now get the opportunity to experience it in a Best with Best environment.”
Ahead of the Concacaf Men’s Under-17 Championship, Canada have been diligent in synergizing its Men’s EXCEL Program with the professional clubs in Canada, formalising the monitoring and tracking systems, periodising competition programs, and aligning calendars ahead of the international competition in May. Canada Soccer have worked hand-in-hand with the clubs in their own environments, evaluating a wider base of players while working together with the clubs to develop players both on and off the field on the pathway to the Men’s National Team.
“We have undergone a thorough assessment process and we’re excited to bring this talented group of young Canadian players together as they prepare for the Concacaf Men’s Under-17 Championship,” said Olivieri. “The development of these selected players as well as an ongoing identification process of new talented players both domestically and abroad will continue over the cycle as we remain focused on developing more Atiba’s more often for the Men’s National Team.”
As part of the camp in Mexico, Canada will have the opportunity to face academy clubs from CF America and UNAM Pumas.
CANADA
GK- Benjamin Collins | CAN / Académie Impact Montréal
GK- Eleias Himaras | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
GK- Marc Kouadio | USA / Montverde Academy
CB- David Amla | CAN / Académie Impact Montréal
CB- Maxime Bourgeois | CAN / Académie Impact Montréal
CB- Nathan Demian | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy
CB- Gianfranco Facchineri | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy
FB- Mckail Brathwaite | CAN / FC Edmonton
FB- Keesean Ferdinand | CAN / Académie Impact Montréal
FB- Kobe Franklin | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
FB- Rohan Goulbourne | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
M- Julian Altobelli | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
M- Matt Catavolo | CAN / Académie Impact Montréal
M- Simon Colyn | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy
M- Jamie Dunning | NED / Feyenoord
M- Tomas Giraldo | CAN / Académie Impact Montréal
M- Kamron Habibullah | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy
M- Damian Iamarino | ITA / Chievo Verona
M- Damiano Pecile | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy
M- Ralph Priso-Mbongue | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
M- Sean Rea | CAN / Académie Impact Montréal
F- Jayden Nelson | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
F- Jérémie Omeonga Nkoy | CAN / Académie Impact Montréal
F- Jacen Russell-Rowe | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
