FC Edmonton takes UBC midfielder 1st overall in CPL U Sports draft

FC Edmonton took UBC midfielder Thomas Gardner first total in Friday’s CPL-U Sports activities draft, one among 4 Thunderbirds chosen within the two-round draft.

Concordia had three gamers chosen whereas two every got here from the College of Montreal, Mount Royal College and Ontario Tech College.

The 16 gamers chosen will attend pre-season coaching with the hope of securing a contract. They're eligible for a developmental deal that enables a participant to signal with a CPL membership whereas preserving any remaining U Sports activities eligibility.

The 22-year-old Gardiner was drafted sixth total within the 2018 draft and twelfth total in 2019, each occasions by Pacific FC. A local of North Vancouver, Gardner joined the Whitecaps FC residency program in 2011, signing his first professional contract with the USL’s Whitecaps FC 2 in 2015.

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FC Edmonton coach Alan Koch, then with the Whitecaps group, gave Gardner his professional debut within the USL Championship. Gardiner made one look for the MLS Whitecaps in a pre-season recreation towards the Portland Timbers in February 2016.

“Tommy is a creative player who we know can play and contribute in the CPL,” Koch stated in an announcement. “Injury and COVID prevented him from playing in the league previously, and we are excited to welcome him to FC Edmonton.”

Watch under: (From August 2019) FC Edmonton is on a roll and at present tied for first place within the CPL standings. As John Sexsmith explains, the Eddies are a superb testimonial to soccer improvement in Alberta’s capital.

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Atletico Ottawa used the second decide on Carleton defender Chris Malekos. Winnipeg’s Valour FC then took six-foot-seven goalkeeper Yuba-Rayene Yesli from the Montreal Carabins.

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The 21-year-old ‘keeper, a CF Montreal youth product, spent time with Vibonese Calcio in Italy’s Serie D, serving to them earn promotion to Serie C.

“You can’t coach size,” stated Valour coach Rob Gale.

York United FC took 19-year-old midfielder Christopher Campoli from Ontario Tech College earlier than Pacific FC selected UBC defender Chris Lee.

Calgary’s Cavalry FC used the sixth decide on midfielder Victor Loturi from Mount Royal College. Loturi frolicked with Calvary in 2019.

Carleton ahead Stefan Karajovanovic went seventh to HFX Wanderers FC earlier than Concordia defender Garven-Michee Metusala was taken by CPL champion Forge FC to finish the primary spherical.

York took Karajovanovic fifth total within the 2019 draft.

Valour FC used the 14th total decide on Carleton defender Tony Mikhael, who has been referred to as up by Lebanon’s under-22 workforce.

York College defender Reggie Laryea, youthful brother of Toronto FC fullback-midfielder Richie Laryea, went fifteenth total to Atletico Ottawa. Reggie Laryea has additionally frolicked with the College of Akron and League 1 Ontario’s Sigma FC.

UBC defender Jackson Farmer was taken sixteenth total by FC Edmonton. The 25-year-old Edmonton native has received one cap for Canada on the senior degree and was a youth worldwide on the U-15, U-18 and U-20 degree.

The six-foot-two centre again additionally performed for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, Charleston Battery and Calgary Foothills.

The league says 17 U-Sports activities draft decisions have made CPL rosters for the reason that first draft in 2018. Cory Bent, taken first total within the final U Sports activities draft (2019), performed 10 video games for HFX Wanderers final season.

First Spherical

1. FC Edmonton, Thomas Gardner, midfielder, UBC; 2. Atletico Ottawa, Christopher Malekos, defender, Carleton College; 2. Valour FC, Yuba-Rayene Yesli, goalkeeper, College of Montreal; 4. York United FC, Christopher Campoli, midfielder, Ontario Tech College; 5. Pacific FC, Chris Lee, defender, UBC; 6. Cavalry FC, Victor Loturi, midfielder, Mount Royal College; 7. HFX Wanderers FC, Stefan Karajovanovic, ahead, Carleton College; 8. Forge FC, Garven-Michee Metusala, defender, Concordia College.

Second Spherical

9. Forge FC, Jose da Cunha, defender, Cape Breton College; 10. HFX Wanderers, Kareem Sow, defender, College of Montreal; 11. Cavalry FC, Ethan Eager, defender, Mount Royal College; 12. Pacific FC, Victory Shumbusho, ahead, UBC; 13. York United FC, Danial Rafisamii, midfielder, Ontario Tech College; 14. Valour FC, Tony Mikhael, defender, Carleton College; 15. Atletico Ottawa, Reggie Laryea, defender, York College; 16. FC Edmonton, Jackson Farmer, defender, UBC.