Yesterday the Canadian Soccer Association announced that midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye has been tapped by Canada’s U23 team for two upcoming friendlies away against Guyana and Granada on May 15 and 18. This is Kaye’s first ever call-up for any of the Canadian national teams, and marks the first time a Louisville City player has been called for international duty. The Courier-Journal’s Dan Kannell has more on the story here.
Obviously, it’s a big honor for Kaye, and we wish him success with the CanMNT. This is the first time Coach O’Connor will have to deal with the loss of a player for international duty, and losing a player of Kaye’s ability will be something of a challenge. Mark is a big threat on the left side of midfield with his hard-charging runs and his ability to take on defenders. He’ll be out for this weekend’s game against St. Louis and LouCity’s US Open Cup opening match next Wednesday. However, expect the Kings to take it in stride, as losing players to injury is nothing new for this team, and there is a bevy of attacking options on the left side to fill in while Kaye is out.
The full 23 man roster for this camp:
1- GK- Marco Carducci | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
2- FB- Chris Serban | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
3- FB- Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
4- FB- Jordan Murrell | USA / Pittsburgh Riverhounds
5- CB- Luca Gasparotto | SCO / Glasgow Rangers
6- CM- Louis Béland-Goyette | CAN / FC Montréal
7- M- Chris Mannella | CAN / Toronto FC II
8- M- Ben McKendry | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
9- F- Jordan Hamilton | CAN / Toronto FC II
10- F- Caleb Clarke | GER / SpVgg Unterhaching
11- M- Ben Fisk | ESP / Deportivo La Coruña B
12- M- Richmond Laryea | USA / Orlando City B
13- M- Mark-Anthony Kaye | USA / Louisville City FC
14- F- Raheem Edwards | CAN / Toronto FC II
15- CB- Skylar Thomas | CAN / Toronto FC II
16- CM- Manuel Aparicio | Unattached
17- CB- Brandon John | USA / Seattle Sounders II
18- GK- Maxime Crépeau | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
Best of luck to Mark-Anthony Kaye in national team camp, and come back soon!