USL News Release

Saturday, September 19, 2015

TAMPA, Fla. – The Canadian Soccer Association announced its 20-player U23 squad for October’s 2015 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament, with 13 of the players named having previously played in the USL.

Six players who have suited up for Toronto FC II lead the way for Benito Floro’s squad, including three Toronto FC loanees in goalkeeper Quillan Roberts, midfielder Jay Chapman and forward Jordan Hamilton. Three players signed to TFC II for the club’s inaugural season – Skylar Thomas, Mark-Anthony Kaye and Molham Babouli – were also named to the squad.

Thomas (1,734 minutes) and Kaye (1,662 minutes) sit first and second, respectively, on TFC II in minutes played this season, while Babouli has led the USL side with four goals and four assists in 19 appearances.

FC Montreal had four players selected, with goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, defender Jonathan Grant, midfielder Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare and forward Anthony Jackson-Hamel all earning selection. Grant has been a mainstay for FC Montreal since his addition to the squad in mid-season, and joined Crepeau in earning USL Team of the Week honors this season in Week 23.

Gagnon-Lapare has made 16 starts for FC Montreal this season, while Crepeau has posted a 1.18 goals against-average and four shutouts in 11 appearances this season.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 defender Jackson Farmer and forward Caleb Clarke were also named to the squad, with Farmer (1,911 minutes) sitting second on WFC2 in minutes played this season. Clarke, meanwhile, has been a consistent threat in attack for the side with seven goals and four assists this season.

Rounding out the group is Ben Fisk, who played on loan for the Charleston Battery in 2013, and is now competing for Deportivo La Coruña B in Spain. Fisk had two goals in nine appearances for the Battery during his stint in the USL.

Canada kicks off the 2015 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament on October 1 against the United States, with subsequent games against Panama and Cuba in the group stage. Two sides will advance to the semifinals, with the two teams to reach the final earning automatic qualification for the 2016 Olympics in Rio. The third-placed side would advance to a playoff with Colombia for a place at the Olympics.