Mark-Anthony Kaye’s run with the Canadian National Team will continue, it was announced Tuesday, as the Louisville City FC midfielder earned another call up to represent his country during this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Canada Soccer named Kaye to a 23-man squad following a training camp and international friendly appearance earlier this month, both the Toronto native’s first experiences with his senior national team.
Kaye will report Wednesday to start training for the Gold Cup, which runs from July 7-26 in 14 cities throughout the United States.
“I think it’s fantastic we’ve been able to give a player the chance to represent his country on this level,” said LouCity coach James O’Connor. “Mark deserves all the credit. He’s worked hard and has been able to go and impress the Canadian National Team coach. We’re proud of Mark that he’s able to go and be involved with the Gold Cup. It’s a special, special occasion.”
Canada will play its Gold Cup group matches July 7 against French Guiana in Harrison, N.J., on July 11 against Costa Rica in Houston, and on July 14 against Honduras in Frisco, Texas.
Kaye made LouCity’s first national team appearance on June 13, coming on in the 79th minute of a 2-1 Canada win over Curacao in Montreal. The international friendly served as a sendoff leading into Canada’s run at the Gold Cup, a championship for North American, Central American and Caribbean nations.
Canada’s coach, Octavio Zambrano, also had the chance to see Kaye in March during a stint with the U-23s. Kaye went the full 90 minutes in a pair of international games, earning Man of the Match honors in the second one.
The midfielder said work at LouCity has helped him during call-ups.
“The main part is the work ethic,” Kaye said. “I don’t think people realize how intensely we train here. I’ve been to other clubs, and it’s nothing like this. The fact that I can go into a national team camp and bring those same habits I have here helps me stand out from the rest.
“James always says you can’t fault anyone for working hard. If you put in the effort, the technical ability and all that will follow.”
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.
CANADA
1- GK- Maxime Crépeau | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
2- FB- Fraser Aird | / Unattached
3- CB- Manjrekar James | HUN / Vasas Budapest
4- CB- Steven Vitória | POL / Lechia GdaÅsk
5- CB- Dejan JakoviÄ | USA / New York Cosmos
6- M- Samuel Piette | ESP / CD Izarra
7- M- Russell Teibert | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
8- M- Scott Arfield | ENG / Burnley FC
9- F- Tosaint Ricketts | CAN / Toronto FC
10- M- David Junior Hoilett | WAL / Cardiff City FC
11- FB- Samuel Adekugbe | ENG / Brighton Hove & Albion
12- M- Alphonso Davies | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
13- M- Jonathan Osorio | CAN / Toronto FC
14- M- Mark-Anthony Kaye | USA / Louisville City FC
15- CB- Adam Straith | CAN / FC Edmonton
16- M- Anthony Jackson-Hamel | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
17- FB- Marcel de Jong | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
18- GK- Milan Borjan | POL / MKS Korona Kielce
19- F- Lucas Cavallini | URU / CA Peñarol
20- M- Patrice Bernier | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
21- M- Raheem Edwards | CAN / Toronto FC
22- GK- Jayson Leutwiler | ENG / Shrewsbury Town FC
23- M- Michael Petrasso | ENG / Queens Park Rangers
