USL OKC Energy FC

Aidan Daniels Becomes 10th Energy FC Player Called up to National Team

Published on March 11, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
OKC Energy FC News Release


OKLAHOMA CITY - One of Energy FC's offseason signings, winger Aidan Daniels, has been selected to Canada Soccer's 20-player roster for the Concacaf Men's Olympic Qualifiers. The upcoming eight-nation tournament will take place from March 18-30 in Guadalajara, JA, Mexico, with two nations qualifying for the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

"It's definitely an honor playing for your country," said Daniels. "To go represent my country and hopefully qualify for the Olympics is a big opportunity for me and a blessing. I'll miss the guys here, but I know they'll be cheering me on and welcome me back when I return."

Canada faces El Salvador on March 19, Haiti on March 22 and Honduras on March 25 in Group B of the 2020 Concacaf Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship. From the group phase, the top-two nations advance to the Concacaf Semifinals on March 28 against Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico or USA. The two nations that win their Concacaf Semifinals qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and advance to the Concacaf Final on March 30.

Daniels started in all 16 matches for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in 2020, scoring three goals and recording one assist with an 84.2% passing accuracy. Daniels led the team in chances created (27) and was third in minutes played (1,288).

Daniels, a 22-year-old native of Markham, Ontario, Canada and product of the Toronto FC Academy, signed as a homegrown player with Toronto FC in 2018 and made his Major League Soccer debut a week later against Houston Dynamo FC. Daniels also appeared in the USL Championship for Toronto FC II and Ottawa Fury FC and has earned Canadian national team caps at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels.

"The fact that he's been called up is well deserved", said Head Coach John Pascarella. "It was obvious that he has the talent to be able to perform at that level, and we wish him the best of luck.

"It also makes the other players here aware that people are watching. Federations and national team coaches are watching, and it gives them aspirations that there are big things to achieve."

Energy FC have had 10 players earn national team call-ups while with the club. In addition to Daniels, Cordell Cato (Trinidad and Tobago), Coy Craft (U.S. U-20 team), Josh Garcia (Dominican Republic) Atiba Harris (Saint Kitts & Nevis), Alvin Jones (Trinidad and Tobago), Cody Laurendi (Puerto Rico), Jaime Siaj (Jordan), Je-Vaughn Watson (Jamaica) and Mekeil Williams (Trinidad and Tobago) have all received the honor.

The full, 20-player Canada roster:

1 - GK - James Pantemis | CAN / CF Montréal

2 - FB - Zachary Brault-Guillard | CAN / CF Montréal

3 - FB - Zorhan Bassong | CAN / CF Montréal

4 - CB - Thomas Meilleur-Giguère | CAN / Pacific FC

5 - CB - Derek Cornelius | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC

6 - M - Michael Baldisimo | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC

7 - F - Tajon Buchanan | USA / New England Revolution

8 - M - David Norman | CAN / Cavalry FC

9 - F - Charles-Andreas Brym | BEL / Royal Mouscron

10 - M - Aidan Daniels | USA / Oklahoma City Energy FC

11 - F - Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla | CAN / CF Montréal

12 - F - Kris Twardek | POL / Jagiellonia Białystok

13 - FB - Marcus Godinho | GER / FSV Zwickau

14 - M - Ryan Raposo | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC

15 - F - Theo Bair | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC

16 - CB - Callum Montgomery | USA / Minnesota United FC

17 - M - Patrick Metcalfe | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC

18 - GK - Matthew Nogueira | POR / CS Maritimo

19 - GK - Sebastian Breza | ITA / FC Bologna

20 - AM - Lucas Dias | POR / Sporting CP U-23

Energy FC begins its eighth season in 2021 with a schedule announcement forthcoming. More information regarding Season Seat Memberships and Group Experiences can be found at energyfc.com/tickets.

Check out the OKC Energy FC Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 11, 2021


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