Sporting Kansas City defender Tyler Pasher was named to the Canada Men’s National Team roster on Tuesday ahead of the country’s build-up to the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Pasher joins head coach Octavio Zambrano’s 27-player roster ahead of an intra-squad match on June 9 and an international friendly against Curacao on June 13 at Stade Saputo in Montreal. Zambrano will reduce the size of his squad after the scrimmage, with 18-20 players dressing for the match on June 13.
Following the game against Curacao, Canada Soccer will announce their squad for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup in mid-June. The nation’s 40-man consideration list for the CONCACAF Gold Cup will be announced on Thursday.
Pasher, 23, is selected to the Canada Men’s National Team for the second time in his career, having first joined the senior team to train in March 2015 ahead of friendlies against Guatemala and Puerto Rico. He has also represented his country at the U-17 and U-20 levels.
A native of Elmira, Ontario, Pasher starred for the Swope Park Rangers in 2016, starting 26 of 28 appearances with five goals and four assists for Sporting Kansas City’s USL affiliate. Three of his assists came in the postseason as the Rangers were crowned USL Western Conference champions and advanced to the USL Cup Final.
Capable of playing as a left back or a left winger, Pasher was first named to Sporting Kansas City’s roster for the 2016-17 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League last August. He made his club debut on Sept. 13 at Children’s Mercy Park, starting and playing 90 minutes at left back versus Vancouver Whitecaps FC. He then signed for the club in December and earned his MLS debut with a start on May 20 at Vancouver. This season, Pasher has also started six matches for the Rangers on loan.
After beginning his youth career with Newcastle United in England, Pasher joined Toronto FC’s Academy in 2010. He became a professional in 2013 upon signing for Finnish club PS Kemi, then returned to North America for stints with NPSL outfit Lansing United (2014) and the USL’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds (2015).
The CONCACAF Gold Cup takes place every two years as the official national team championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean. This year’s tournament will run from July 7-26 in 14 host cities across the United States. Canada was drawn into Group A with Costa Rica, French Guiana and Honduras.
Canada Men's National Team Roster
GK- Milan Borjan | POL / MKS Korona Kielce
GK- Maxime Crépeau | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
GK- James Pantemis |
CB- Dejan Jaković | 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
