‘Tremendous Competitor’ TJ Tahid Called Up To Canada U-17 Team

Vancouver FC midfielder TJ Tahid has accepted a call-up for the Canada U-17 team ahead of two upcoming friendly matches against Brazil.

The 16-year-old, who is also eligible for Ghana, became the youngest athlete to sign a pro deal in the CPL earlier this year. He will now hope to get some youth national team game time between two friendly matches set for September 29 and October 1 in Sao Paulo.

“I am so honoured and excited to earn my first call for my country,” says Tahid. “It has been a whirlwind season with many amazing moments, but this is certainly one of the most special so far. I hope I can take what I’ve learned with Vancouver FC and make it count on the international stage.”

Tahid’s Canadian Premier League side recently became the first to become mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, with the 16-year-old having made eighteen appearances for Vancouver since signing in May.

His debut campaign has seen him score goals against league heavyweights Forge and Pacific, evidently turning heads in the Canada U-17 camp.

The introductory trip to Brazil will be golden opportunity for the Maple Ridge teenager to showcase himself ahead of the 2023 FIFA U-17 Cup set for this fall in Indonesia.

Canada has already qualified for the tournament through the Concacaf Under-17 Championship, where they reached the semi-final stage in February before losing to the United States.

“TJ is a tremendous competitor and has shown massive improvement this season,” added VFC head coach Afshin Ghotbi.

“It is difficult to imagine that he’s only 16-years-old with the football IQ and the temperament of a seasoned professional. I’m incredibly excited for TJ and believe he will be a great contributor for the Canadian National team at the U-17 level and beyond.”

He won’t be the only teenager with Canadian Premier League experience at the Canada U-17 camp, with Forge developmental youngster Kevaughn Tavernier – from League1 Ontario’s Sigma FC – also getting the nod.

Tahid will remain with the club for this Wednesday’s away match to seventh-placed side Valour FC, after which he will travel to join the rest of the Canada U-17 squad in Brazil.