Sports stats



MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC

'Caps Residency Players Take Lead Role for Canada

October 10, 2016 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release


It was a fantastic week for Whitecaps FC Residency players suiting up for Canada. Seven 'Caps players were called up to Canada's U-18 men's national team for a two-match series against El Salvador, and a pair of players made a big impact in their first camp wearing the Red and White.Striker Alan Camacho - who led the Development Academy league in goalscoring at the U-16 level last year - notched a goal in both matches. Meanwhile, Saskatoon goalkeeper Thomas Hasal saved a penalty kick in the second match after coming through the Whitecaps FC Saskatchewan Academy and joining the Residency program this year.

In terms of results, Canada split the series with back-to-back, come-from-behind draws in San Salvador. The two sides drew 1-1 on Friday, October 7 and 2-2 on Sunday, October 9.

On Friday, it was a late Camacho equaliser in the 88th minute to earn the 1-1 draw. On Sunday, Camacho equalised in the first half and Malyk Hamilton later equalised in the second half in a 2-2 draw.

"We are delighted with how the boys responded in each match," said Rob Gale, Canada Soccer's men's national U-20 team head coach. "They showed character and they stuck to the game plan. You add that to their quality, we felt very confident that the boys would respond."

Canada's nine-day camp took place in Toronto and San Salvador. After three days of training in Toronto, the squad flew as a team into San Salvador on Thursday and then played two matches in three days. The travel, quick turnaround, and away conditions introduce players to what they will experience throughout their international careers playing in CONCACAF.

"When they return to their clubs, it is important that they take these lesson from different conditions and continue to progress in their daily environments," said Gale. "They need to continue to push themselves to get to the next level in their own clubs. These international experiences can only help them as they move through the men's EXCEL program into the men's national team."

The Canadian U-18 group features players born 1999 or later, thus eligible for the 2019 CONCACAF Men's Under-20 Championship and FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2019 (dates and locations yet to be announced). This marks the age group's eighth camp since 2013.

The group is also eligible at the youth level up through to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Canada Soccer's Men's EXCEL Program channels our nation's exceptional players into the best soccer environments. The Canada Soccer Pathway works in collaboration with our provincial and territorial partners as well as the professional clubs and academies. For Canada's elite players, the program emphasizes player development on the pathway to representing Canada's Men's National Team in international soccer.

Check out the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from October 10, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central