13 Major League Soccer players have been named to Canada’s 23-man list for the 2021 Gold Cup.
Canada’s coach John Herdman announced the list on Thursday morning with Toronto FC leading the way with three players. Canada will play in Group B of the tournament, along with the United States, Martinique and a third team determined by preliminary stages in Miami from July 2 to July 6.
“Concacaf Gold Cup allows Canada to continue to build on momentum from the last six matches in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers,” Herdman said in a statement.
“We have missed the opportunity to play some of these great matches that come at a Concacaf Gold Cup, so each match counts to create the spirit and cohesion needed to take the country to the next level. We need this dynamic group of players to continue grow and learn together and the Concacaf Gold Cup provides a fantastic experience to prepare us for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. ”
Major League Soccer midfielders Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC) and Samuel Piette (Montreal CF) will take part in their fifth consecutive championship since making their debut in 2013. The list includes Toronto FC player Ayo Akinola, who recently committed to Canada after appeared on occasions for youth national teams. The Vancouver Whitecaps are also heavily involved in the list of two players called up.
The Canadian national team most recently won the Concacaf Gold Cup 2000, which previously won in 1985. Since then, the team has struggled to maintain prestige and challenged regional competitors such as the United States and Mexico. Les Rouges recently showed signs of improvement and managed to win against rivals to reach the octagonal and final stage of the World Cup qualifiers.
Canada’s Concacaf Gold Cup Men’s National Football Team 2021? #CANMNT? https://t.co/kDdvSH2SnI pic.twitter.com/5s5IfwVg9w
– Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) July 1st, 2021
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