The Canadian Premier League is built on the promise of building the future of soccer in Canada. THE NEXT GEN celebrates this promise by showcasing and honouring the best young Canadian soccer talent from coast to coast in the Canadian Premier League.

Welcome the NEXT GEN CLASS OF 2020, an eight-part video series celebrating the best young Canadian talent on display during the Canadian Premier League 2020 season. These incredible young players’ performances demonstrated their talent and grit at the Island Games in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and are proof that professional soccer is now attainable in Canada.

Antoine Coupland is the youngest player in Canadian Premier League history, so it’s fitting that he goes down as the final nominee in CPL’s The Next Gen series.

The 17-year-old Coupland was Atlético Ottawa’s second signing in club history, following in captain Ben Fisk’s footsteps at the CPL’s first expansion franchise.

In 2019, at 15 years of age, Coupland became the youngest player in Ottawa Fury’s history to be signed for the club after just graduating from Ottawa’s St. Anthony soccer club’s Futuro Soccer Academy.

Coupland made three appearances at The Island Games in PEI, wracking up 97 minutes, winning two tackles, and taking nine duels in Atlético Ottawa’s inaugural CPL season.

A left-footed midfielder who is comfortable on the ball and who likes to directly take on defenders, Coupland is an impressive prospect – one of the most notable in the Ottawa area.

“He is a young talent with incredible potential. Having made his professional debut at the age of 15 is a testament to his passion and drive for the game and we are looking forward to working with him to develop his talent,” club CEO Fernando Lopez said.

To watch the rest of The Next Gen series, click here.