Latest news with #CanadianShield
Winnipeg Free Press
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Significant number' of Vancouver Whitecaps players, staff ill after game in Mexico
VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Whitecaps say 'a significant number' of players and staff are dealing with a gastrointestinal illness after visiting Mexico for the CONCACAF Champions Cup final. The Major League Soccer team cancelled a planned training session on Wednesday and held a modified individual session for players who had been cleared by medical staff on Thursday. The session was closed to media. The club says in a statement that each player has been given an 'individualized program' by medical and performance staff to support their continued preparation and recovery. The Whitecaps flew to Mexico City on Friday to face LIGA MX side Cruz Azul in the final Saturday. Cruz Azul trounced the 'Caps 5-0 to hoist the Champions Cup, snapping Vancouver's 15-game (7-0-8) unbeaten streak across all competitions. It's unclear whether the Whitecaps will still host their regional rivals, the Seattle Sounders, as scheduled on Sunday. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Nine 'Caps players were already scheduled to miss Sunday's game after being called up to their national teams, including Ali Ahmed, Sam Adekugbe and Jayden Nelson, who are all training with the Canadian men's team ahead of the inaugural Canadian Shield tournament. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 5, 2025.
CBC
a day ago
- Business
- CBC
Canada's Promise David attracting attention with Belgian soccer champs before transfer window
Soccer has already taken Promise David to Croatia, the United States, Malta, Estonia and Belgium. And the 23-year-old forward from Brampton, Ont., could be on the move again during the summer transfer window. There have been bumps along the way for David, who usually goes by Tobi (his full name is Promise Oluwatobi Emmanuel David Akinpelu). "I call it a journey through hell," David said with a smile. "I'm just trying to better myself as a football player and reach higher levels. But, yeah, from each place, I took a piece of football and added it to myself. And I think that's created the Tobi that's here today." For the time being, he is happy to be with Union Saint-Gilloise, which won its first Belgian league title in 90 years last month. "Best football I've ever played in my life," David said of Belgium. "I really take in every moment, because it might not last." While David is under contract to Union Saint-Gilloise, his goal-scoring exploits have attracted attention ahead of the June 15 opening of the transfer window. He recorded 24 goals in all competitions this season with eight of those coming in the 10-game championship round (the top six Belgian sides meet in a mini-league to decide the title). David is currently with Canada in Halifax preparing for the inaugural four-team Canadian Shield Tournament in Toronto. The 30th-ranked Canadians open Saturday against No. 25 Ukraine before facing No. 41 Ivory Coast on Tuesday. David expects a large contingent of friends and family at BMO Field, noting they haven't seen him play live since high school. "I think I bought tickets for the entire stadium," he said. 'Had a nose for goal' Born in Brampton to Nigerian parents, David made his debut for the Nigerian under-23 side in October 2022. But in February, after talks with Canada coach Jesse Marsch, his request to switch allegiance was approved by FIFA. David started at the Toronto FC pre-academy, spending two or three years there before he was let go at 14. He found a new home with Vaughan SC where he excelled despite still growing into an imposing body that now measures six-foot-four and 209 pounds. "He almost looked clumsy when he ran. But he had a nose for goal," said Anthony Vadori, Vaughan's director of men's high performance. "He always found himself in front of goal with an opportunity to shoot." He also played with a smile on his face. "You could tell he loved to play; he wanted to learn so much, which was nice." said Vadori. After high school, David elected to go pro rather than the U.S. college route -- he only got one partial scholarship offer, from Appalachian State -- after negotiating a deadline with his parents to make it in soccer. "I asked for six months. And then six months turned into a year and a half. And that year and a half turned into two years. Two years turned in three. And then after three, I think they kind of realized I don't want to go to school." Dealt with racism as teen in Croatia After attending a tryout camp held by a Croatian second-division team in suburban Oakville in 2019, he found himself in Croatia two weeks later. That led to a move to third-division NK Trnje Zagreb where he played in the under-19 league against youth sides from top teams. "I was just exploring and discovering the world of football and other cultures," he said. It was not all fun, dealing with the language barrier and some racism. In 2021, he returned to North America to join FC Tulsa of the USL Championship where he played against older, more experienced players. "It forced me to grow, forced me to hit the gym. Forced me to understand how my body works and how to run at people, how to hit people, how to take hits," he said. The next year he went to Malta where he was initially assigned to the under-19 team at Valetta FC but was quickly promoted to the senior side. After the team survived relegation, he switched clubs and hit a roadblock at Sirens FC, where he didn't play. "It was horrible. But that's football," he said. In early 2023, he joined Estonia's Kalju FC where It took a coaching chance for him to get his chance with the senior side. He started scoring, which triggered the move to Belgium last July. Loves Union fans, teammates and coach For David, ignorance is bliss right now when it comes to a possible transfer. "Anything's possible," he said. "I just hope they don't tell me anything until it's ready to sign." "You can crack your brain thinking about it," he added. He could stay where he is. European cup football awaits, and David has grown to love Union's fans as well as his teammates and coach. He is an avid Chelsea fan, and devotee of club legend Didier Drogba. "It wasn't really the goal-scoring that got me, it was the playmaking ability and just the sheer strength and the problems [he presented] for defenders," he said. While going to a Chelsea game has long been on his bucket list, there is a caveat. "I kind of told myself I would not go to Chelsea unless I get to play there first, like against them," he said. "I told myself that a couple of years ago."
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
Former standouts Michael Bradley, David Edgar Canada's guest coaches during FIFA window
Former U.S. and Toronto FC captain Michael Bradley and former Canadian international defender David Edgar have joined Canada as guest coaches under Jesse Marsch during the current FIFA international window. The Canadian team is currently in Halifax preparing for the four-team Canadian Shield Tournament that opens Saturday in Toronto with Canada taking on Ukraine and New Zealand facing Ivory Coast. Bradley will only be with Canada for the Halifax camp while Edgar, an assistant coach with the Canadian Premier League's Forge FC, will also be in Toronto. The 37-year-old Bradley, who won 151 caps for the U.S. from 2006 to 2019, retired after the 2023 MLS season, his 10th with Toronto. After retiring, he joined father Bob Bradley's coaching staff at Norway's Stabaek. The 38-year-old Edgar, from Kitchener, Ont., won 42 caps for Canada from 2011 to 2018. The defender retired at the end of the 2020 CPL season with Forge after a career that included stops in Canada with the Ottawa Fury and Vancouver Whitecaps, as well as stints in England (Newcastle, Burnley, Huddersfield Town, Sheffield United, Hartlepool), the U.S. (Nashville SC) and Wales (Swansea City). Marsch, who played for Bob Bradley at D.C. United and the Chicago Fire, has made a habit of bringing in guest coaches to Canada camps. Others previously invited included CPL coaches Mauro Eustaquio (York United) and Patrice Gheisar (Halifax Wanderers) and former Canadian internationals Dwayne De Rosario, Paul Stalteri and Martin Nash.
National Post
3 days ago
- General
- National Post
Michael Bradley, David Edgar join Canada as guest coaches during June FIFA window
HALIFAX — Former U.S. and Toronto FC captain Michael Bradley and former Canadian international defender David Edgar have joined Canada as guest coaches under Jesse Marsch during the current FIFA international window. Article content Article content The Canadian team is currently in Halifax preparing for the four-team Canadian Shield Tournament that opens Saturday in Toronto with Canada taking on Ukraine and New Zealand facing Ivory Coast. Article content Bradley will only be with Canada for the Halifax camp while Edgar, an assistant coach with the Canadian Premier League's Forge FC, will also be in Toronto. Article content The 37-year-old Bradley, who won 151 caps for the U.S. from 2006 to 2019, retired after the 2023 MLS season, his 10th with Toronto. After retiring, he joined father Bob Bradley's coaching staff at Norway's Stabaek. Article content The 38-year-old Edgar won 42 caps for Canada from 2011 to 2018. The defender retired at the end of the 2020 CPL season with Forge after a career that included stops in Canada with the Ottawa Fury and Vancouver Whitecaps, as well as stints in England (Newcastle, Burnley, Huddersfield Town, Sheffield United, Hartlepool), the U.S. (Nashville SC) and Wales (Swansea City). Article content Marsch, who played for Bob Bradley at D.C. United and the Chicago Fire, has made a habit of bringing in guest coaches to Canada camps. Others previously invited included CPL coaches Mauro Eustaquio (York United) and Patrice Gheisar (Halifax Wanderers) and former Canadian internationals Dwayne De Rosario, Paul Stalteri and Martin Nash. Article content
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Man Utd starlet at centre of 'tug of war' after being flown out to Spain
Man Utd starlet at centre of 'tug of war' after being flown out to Spain The forward is in demand, it seems, after being included in Craig Bellamy's training camp in Spain Gabriele Biancheri of Manchester United (Image: Getty Images ) Talented Manchester United youngster Gabriele Biancheri has reportedly found himself at the centre of an international tug-of-war. After Craig Bellamy named him in the squad for the Wales training camp in Spain this week, it has emerged that Biancheri has received an invitation to join Canada's squad ahead of their 2025 Canadian Shield friendly tournament in Toronto. Born in Cardiff, the 18-year-old is eligible to represent Wales, Canada (through his mother) and Italy (through his father). However, Press Association reporter Phil Blanche has claimed that Canada, led by former Leeds boss Jesse Marsch, are keen on the exciting young striker. His football journey began at Cardiff City's academy, where he spent nine years and gained a reputation for being able to find the back of the net. His exceptional goal-scoring prowess was evident early on, netting 17 goals in just 11 matches for Cardiff's under-16s, which led to a swift promotion to the under-21 side . In February 2023, Biancheri made a significant move to Manchester United, joining their esteemed academy, with former Bluebirds academy chief David Hughes having a big say in his signing after his own switch to the Old Trafford club's academy. Article continues below He has continued to impress, featuring for both the under-18 and under-21 teams, with his versatility across the front line and natural goal-scoring ability having made him a standout talent within the club's youth ranks. Internationally, Biancheri has donned the Welsh jersey at under-16, under-17, under-18, and under-19 and is viewed as one of Wales' most promising young talents, hence Bellamy's desire to involve him in Spain this week. Content cannot be displayed without consent Wales want to nurture a new generation of players, with Biancheri being a central figure in the youth movement. His performances have not gone unnoticed, and there's a growing anticipation about his potential elevation to the senior side. At United, Biancheri's reputation is growing, with the teenager having been instrumental in both the Premier League 2 and the UEFA Youth League. As he inches closer to a potential first-team debut, the club's coaching staff have waxed lyrical about his trajectory and potential. The coming months will be pivotal for Biancheri. With potential senior call-ups on the horizon and continued performances at the youth level, he stands at the cusp of a significant breakthrough, both on the club and international scene. Bellamy now has the World Cup next year firmly within his sights and the squad-shaping for the qualification process and perhaps the tournament itself, should they be successful, has started now, with a number of highly-promising youngsters invited to the camp in Spain this week. The Wales head coach has invited a number of uncapped, young players on the camp in order to give them greater exposure to that environment. Among them is Biancheri's fellow Cardiff academy graduates Ronan Kpakio, Tanatswa Nyakuhwa, Luey Giles, Cian Ashford, Dylan Lawlor, Charlie Crew and Lewys Benjamin – the final two, like Biancheri, have now moved away from Cardiff, with Leeds and Wolves respectively. Article continues below Rhys Thomas (Manchester City), Kai Andrews (Coventry City), Luke Harris (Fulham), Elliot Myles (Norwich City), Sam Parker, Joel Cotterill (both Swansea City) and Freddie Issaka (Plymouth Argyle) are the other young, uncapped talents included.
