The Canadian Premier League’s youngest-ever signing and goalscorer, TJ Tahid and Forge FC’s Kevaughn Tavernier, have been called up by the Canadian U-17 men’s national team for their upcoming camp in Brazil.
Canada are set to take on the defending U-17 World Cup champion Brazilian national team in a pair of matches on September 29 and October 1 in São Paulo.
This is Tahid’s first international call-up. The 16-year-old from Maple Ridge, B.C. has made 18 appearances for Vancouver FC in the CPL this season, scoring twice. He became the youngest player in league history to score a goal when he found the back of the net against Pacific FC on June 2, 2023.
“I am so honoured and excited to earn my first call for my country,” said Tahid in a press release. “It has been a whirlwind season with many amazing moments, but this is certainly one of the most special so far. I hope I can take what I’ve learned with Vancouver FC and make it count on the international stage.”
Tavernier made his first start for Forge this past weekend against Valour FC, a week after making his CPL debut against league-leaders Cavalry at Tim Hortons Field on September 9. Previously, he spent time playing with Sigma FC in League1 Ontario before signing a development contract with Forge.
Canada U-17 are currently preparing for the 2023 U-17 World Cup, which will kick off on November 10 in Indonesia. Canada were drawn into Group B of that tournament with Spain, Mali and Uzbekistan. Canada is still looking for its first win in their eighth all-time appearance at the U-17 World Cup.
Tahid will join the team in Brazil on September 23, meaning he will be available for Wednesday’s match against Valour FC in Winnipeg.
Canada’s full roster for the camp is listed below. The group also notably includes League1 Ontario champion Allen Blegay, a defender for Simcoe County Rovers FC.
1- GK- Nathaniel Abraham | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
2- FB- Theo Rigopoulos | CAN / Toronto FC II
3- FB- Gaël de Montigny | CAN / Académie CF Montréal
4- M- Alessandro Biello | CAN / Académie CF Montréal
5- CB- Chimere Omeze | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
6- CB- Lazar Stefanovic | CAN / Toronto FC II
7- M- Taryck Tahid | CAN / Vancouver FC
8- M- Jeevan Badwal | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
9- F- Antoni Klukowski | POL / Pogoń Szczecin
10- M- Philip Igbinobaro | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
11- F- Kevaughn Tavernier | CAN / Forge FC Hamilton
12- FB- Allen Saye Blegay | CAN / Simcoe Rovers FC
13- CB- Richard Chukwu | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
14- M- Tyler Londono | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
15- CB- Victor Fung | USA / Inter Miami CF Academy
16- CB- Étienne Godin | CAN / Académie CF Montréal
17- M- Liam MacKenzie | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
18- GK- Alexander O’Brien | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
19- F- Kyler Vojvodic | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy
20- F- Lino Aklil | FRA / HSC Montpellier
21- F- Lucas Ozimec | CAN / Toronto FC Academy