The Canadian men’s national team announced a strong lineup for this Summer’s 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup Thursday, unveiling the 23-man roster set to open the North American tournament in just under two weeks.
Coach John Herdman has plucked a young group set to open the group stage against Martinique on July 11 – starting with Ayo Akinola. The Toronto FC striker, who was eligible to play for the United States, committed to Canada formally on Wednesday and joins fellow potential debutants Tyler Pasher (Houston Dynamo) and Harry Paton (Ross County) in camp.
OSC Lille striker Jonathan David, Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield, Besiktas midfielder Atiba Hutchinson, and Red Star Belgrade goalkeeper Milan Borjan are the most notable absences.
Standouts Alphonso Davies, Stephen Eustaquio, and Cyle Larin were listed as they returns from international duty following the team’s historic victory over Haiti in 2022 World Cup qualifying last month.
Just under half of the lineup has yet to play in a Concacaf Gold Cup while returnees like Jonathan Osorio, Samuel Piette, and Larin are set to play in their fourth consecutive tournament.
Canada Soccer's Men's National Team for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup ?#CANMNT ? https://t.co/kDdvSH2SnI pic.twitter.com/5s5IfwVg9w
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) July 1, 2021
“We’ve missed the opportunity to play some of these big matches that come at a Concacaf Gold Cup, so every match counts to create that spirit and cohesion required to take this country to the next level,” coach John Herdman said in a release. “We need this dynamic group of players to keep growing and learning together and the Concacaf Gold Cup provides great experience to prepare us for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.”
Canadian players making their Concacaf Gold Cup debut aside from Akinola, Pasher, and Paton are goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, centre back Scott Kennedy, fullbacks Alistair Johnston and Richie Laryea, midfielders Stephen Eustáquio, Liam Fraser, and forwards Tajon Buchanan and Theo Corbeanu.
Canada is set to face Martinique (July 11), the United States (July 18), and the winner of a preliminary round in the group stage at this Summer’s Gold Cup. All three matches will be played at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City and will be available live on OneSoccer.
Herdman’s side enters Gold Cup play on a bit of a high after taking down Haiti in the second round of FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifying last month to reach the final stage of qualification for the first time since 1997.
Canada’s squad for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup:
1- GK- Dayne St. Clair | USA / Minnesota United FC
2- FB- Alistair Johnston | USA / Nashville SC
3- F- Tyler Pasher | USA / Houston Dynamo
4- CB- Kamal Miller | CAN / CF Montréal
5- CB- Steven Vitória | POR / Moreirense FC
6- M- Samuel Piette | CAN / CF Montréal
7- M- Stephen Eustáquio | POR / FC Paços de Ferreira
8- M- Liam Fraser | USA / Columbus Crew SC
9- F- Lucas Cavallini | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
10- F- David Junior Hoilett | Unattached
11- F- Theo Corbeanu | ENG / Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
12- M- Jonathan Osorio | CAN / Toronto FC
12- F- Tajon Buchanan | USA / New England Revolution
13- CB- Scott Kennedy | GER / SSV Jahn Regensburg
14- M- Mark-Anthony Kaye | USA / Los Angeles FC
15- CB- Doneil Henry | KOR / Suwon Samsung Bluewings
16- GK- Maxime Crépeau | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
17- F- Cyle Larin | TUR / Beşiktaş JK
18- GK- Jayson Leutwiler | ENG / Oldham Athletic AFC
19- FB- Alphonso Davies | GER / FC Bayern München
20- M- Harry Paton | SCO / Ross County FC
22- FB- Richie Laryea | CAN / Toronto FC
23- F- Ayo Akinola | CAN / Toronto FC