FCE's Aleksic, Shome Selected to Canadian U-20 Roster for England Youth Friendly

March 16, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release

Canada Soccer Men's National Youth Program has announced their roster for the team's upcoming U-20 international friendly versus England. Included on the roster is FC Edmonton defender Marko Aleksic, as well as midfielder Shamit Shome. Canada will face England Sunday, Mar. 27, in Doncaster, England at Keepmoat Stadium (16.00 local kick off).

Aleksic, 19, is entering his third season with FC Edmonton. The six-foot-four, FC Edmonton Academy graduate has participated in two camps with the national program in the United States, England and Spain.

Several of the 1996-born players named to Wednesday's team faced England in a Men's U-20 International Friendly match in Bournemouth on Nov. 2014. The match ended in a 2-2 draw. Players from that camp returning to England are Marco Carducci, Marco Bustos, and Aleksic.

"I'm very proud of both players," FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller explained. "They have both been excellent during our team's preseason and both are very deserving of this opportunity. Marko has been out of the squads for some time so I am absolutely thrilled to bits that he is back in contention to play against England."

Shome, 18, is on the verge of his first professional season after signing with FC Edmonton ahead of the 2016 North American Soccer League (NASL) season. Also an FC Edmonton Academy graduate, the Edmonton native most recently featured on Canada's U-20 squad last November. He was the only Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) player selected to the camp.

"Shamit just gets better every training session," Miller added. "He has been one of our best players of the entire preseason and played very well against Airdrie last night. I think he is big part of the national team's program moving forward and I think the future is just as bright for Marko Aleksic."

The England camp offers Canada Soccer's young players another opportunity to accumulate experience through international competition.

"This is an additional opportunity to bring together our exceptional young players," Rob Gale, Canada Soccer's Men's National U-20 coach said. "We selected players from a range of different ages so that we could benefit this group with a key development opportunity through a high-level opposition."

The Canadian team will travel to England on Monday, Mar. 21, with the eight-day camp falling over the FIFA window for international competition. Players have been selected from clubs in Canada and abroad.

While the 1996-born players are not eligible for the next FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2017, Canada Soccer identified this camp as another opportunity to help develop these key players on their journey to the Men's National Team. Players born 1997 or later, meanwhile, are equally eligible for the current cycle of CONCACAF / FIFA competition on the road to the FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017.

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 territory 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.

CANADA

GK- Marco Carducci | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC

GK- James Pantemis | CAN / FC Montréal

CB- Marko Aleksic | CAN / FC Edmonton

CB- Liam Fraser | CAN / Toronto FC II

CB- Thomas Meilleur Giguère | CAN / FC Montréal

CB- Fikayo Tomori | ENG / Chelsea FC

FB- Gabriel Boakye | CAN / Unattached

FB- Kadin Chung | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps 2

FB- Marcus Godinho | CAN / Unattached

M- Tristan Borges | NED / sc Heerenveen

M- Marco Bustos | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC

M- Alphonso Davies | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps 2

M- Marco-Leonel Dominguez | CAN / FC Montréal

M- Duwayne Ewart | USA / Pittsburgh Riverhounds

M- Shamit Shome | CAN / FC Edmonton

M- Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla | CAN / FC Montréal

M- Luca Uccello | CAN / Toronto FC II

F- Jordan Hamilton | CAN / Toronto FC

F- Dario Zanatta | SCO / Heart of Midlothian FC

FC Edmonton Defender Marko Aleksic and Midfielder Shamit Shome

North American Soccer League Stories from March 16, 2016

• Indy Eleven Settles for 1-1 Draw with Saint Louis FC - Indy Eleven
• Loons Wrap up Mexico Preseason Tour against Cruz Azul - Minnesota United FC
• Meola Names Richie Ryan Captain for 2016 - Jacksonville Armada FC
• Cosmos and Under Armour Reveal Partnership Kit for 2016 Season - New York Cosmos
• FCE's Aleksic, Shome Selected to Canadian U-20 Roster for England Youth Friendly - FC Edmonton
• Armada FC Signs Local Standout Garry Lewis - Jacksonville Armada FC
• Eddies Earn Second Victory of Scotland Trip with 2-1 Win over Airdrieonians FC - FC Edmonton

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.

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