Louisville City FC midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye on Tuesday received his first full international call up and a chance to earn his way onto the Canada Soccer roster that will compete in 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The news follows Kaye’s successful late March trip to Qatar with Canada’s U-23 team. He went the full 90 minutes in a pair of wins and earned Man of the Match honors in his second appearance.
“It’s always great to get called up to the national team,” Kaye said. “You have to go in there and be ready to work hard. There are going to be a lot more experienced players — some that have a higher pedigree than me. I just need to go in there and try and learn from them.”
In all, 27 players were invited to compete for spots. Four of them, including Kaye, received their first call up to the Men’s National Team. He’s also among the 17 players age 25 or younger.
Men’s National Team coach Octavio Zambrano will reduce the size of his squad after a June 9 intra-squad match, with only 18-20 players dressing for a June 13 international friendly against Curaçao. After that, Canada Soccer will announce its squad for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in mid-June.
“We have the perfect mix of experience and youth in this squad,” Zambrano said. “We are looking forward to seeing how they come together on the pitch. With this camp, we have a chance to look at players for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, but also younger players that are part of our long-term plans.”
Kaye will depart for the Canada Soccer camp following LouCity’s game Saturday at USL Eastern Conference leader Charleston Battery. He’ll also be eligible for selection Wednesday as LouCity travels to play FC Cincinnati in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Kaye worked his way into the starting lineup for the first time May 13 against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, then found the back four days later in a Second Round Open Cup game May 17 against Tartan Devils Oak Avalon. He has struck a pair of near misses in USL play, bouncing shots off the post in the Rowdies game and again May 20 at Pittsburgh.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for Mark,” said LouCity coach James O’Connor. “It’s a testament to his hard work and obviously his performance with Canada’s U-23s. We’re delighted for Mark.”
This represents LouCity’s second full international call up. Goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh earned the first last year as a member of Trinidad and Tobago’s squad for World Cup qualifiers.
CONCACAF GOLD CUP
Taking place every two years, the CONCACAF Gold Cup is the official national team championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Drawing large crowds and millions of television viewers from across the region, the Gold Cup is a celebration of soccer, sportsmanship, and culture.
Canada are two-time CONCACAF champions, having won the CONCACAF Championship in 1985 and the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2000. Since the first edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 1991, Canada’s best finishes are first place in 2000 and semi-final finishes in 2002 and 2007. All time, Canada have posted a record of 15 wins, 11 draws, and 15 losses in 41 matches.
In 22 international matches since the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Canada’s record is eight wins, five draws, and six losses, including most recently a 1-1 draw with Scotland on 22 March 2017.
CANADA ROSTER
GK- Milan Borjan | POL / MKS Korona Kielce
GK- Maxime Crépeau | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
GK- James Pantemis |
CB- Dejan JakoviÄ | USA / New York Cosmos
CB- Manjrekar James | HUN / Vasas Budapest
CB- Wandrille Lefèvre | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
CB/M- Adam Straith | CAN / FC Edmonton
FB- Fraser Aird |
FB- Kwame Awuah | CAN / New York City FC
FB- Juan Córdova | CHI / CD Huachipato
FB- Marcel de Jong | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
FB- Andrés Fresenga | URU / Cerro Largo FC
FB- Tyler Pasher | USA / Sporting Kansas City
M- Tesho Akindele | USA / FC Dallas
M- Patrice Bernier | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
M- Raheem Edwards | CAN / Toronto FC
M- Kianz Froese | GER / Fortuna Düsseldorf
M- David Junior Hoilett | WAL / Cardiff City FC
M- Will Johnson | USA / Orlando City SC
M- Mark-Anthony Kaye | USA / Louisville City FC
M- Jonathan Osorio | CAN / Toronto FC
M- Samuel Piette | ESP / CD Izarra
M- Russell Teibert | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
F- Marcus Haber | SCO / Dundee FC
M/F- Anthony Jackson-Hamel | CAN / Impact Montréal
F- Cyle Larin | USA / Orlando City SC
F- Tosaint Ricketts | CAN / Toronto FC
