16-year-old among 19 Canadian players gathering for CONCACAF Nations League pre-camp
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch has called up 19 players to a training camp in Toronto in preparation for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname. The team, ranked 35th in the world, will face off against Suriname on November 15 in Paramaribo, with the second leg taking place four days later at BMO Field in Toronto.
The FIFA international window runs from November 11 to 19, with Canada aiming to secure a spot in the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The winners of the quarterfinals will also qualify for next summer’s Gold Cup.
The pre-camp roster includes experienced players such as Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Samuel Piette, Maxime Crepeau, and Kamal Miller. In addition to the veterans, Marsch has also called up young talents like Adam Pearlman, Richard Chukwu, Kobe Franklin, Deandre Kerr, Alessandro Biello, and Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty.
One notable inclusion in the pre-camp roster is 16-year-old Shola Jimoh from York United FC. Jimoh, a Canadian youth international, impressed with four goals and one assist in 16 Canadian Premier League games this season. He signed an “Exceptional Young Talent” contract with York in July, showcasing his potential for the future.
It was revealed that Montreal’s Jules-Anthony Vilsaint was initially included in the camp roster but was later removed for undisclosed reasons. With Vancouver Whitecaps players still involved in the MLS playoffs, there are no representatives from the team in the pre-camp squad.
Suriname earned their spot in the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second in their group, ahead of teams like Guatemala, Guyana, Martinique, and Guadeloupe. Canada has faced Suriname twice before in World Cup qualifying play, winning both encounters.
In other news, Kyle Bekker and Tristan Borges are among the finalists for the Canadian Premier League’s player of the year award. The winner will be decided by a vote from the league’s technical leadership and select media, with the announcement set to take place in Calgary ahead of the championship game between Forge FC and Cavalry FC.
The competition for the top player award is stiff, with Bekker, Borges, Alessandro Hojabrpour, Tobias Warschewski, and Brian Wright all vying for the prestigious title. These players have showcased their talent and contributed significantly to their respective teams throughout the season.
Overall, Canada’s men’s national team is gearing up for an important showdown against Suriname, with Marsch and his squad determined to secure a spot in the CONCACAF Nations League Finals and the upcoming Gold Cup. The training camp in Toronto will be crucial in finalizing the team’s preparations for the quarterfinal clash.
