Mekideche Set For MLS Trial

Out-of-contract Valour defender Nassim Mekideche has been invited to preseason camp with Sporting Kansas City, where the 22-year-old will vie for a roster spot with the first team.

The centre-back had linked up with Valour FC midway through the 2022 Canadian Premier League season, making ten appearances for the team and grabbing a long ball assist against Cavalry FC in August:

Valour averaged a goals against of 1.47 in matches without Mekideche, while matches whereupon he played the majority of the game saw the club’s goals against drop down to an astounding 0.625 – quite a remarkable difference.

With Mekideche now out of contract with Valour, the potential transfer would take shape with him as a free agent.

See Also: 2023 CPL Roster Tracker

The Canadian-Algerian centre-back had suited up for Tunisian first division with CS Hammam-Lif before his return to Canadian pastures last year, making four appearances for the side.

Standing at six-foot-two, he presents as a sizeable figure who would occupy an international spot with Kansas – something that had blocked a similar move for Amer Didic years ago.

Mekideche was born in Algeria and grew up in Montreal, but turned professional with Algerian side JS Kabylie in 2018, signing a three-year contract back then. 

He won’t be the only CPL centre-back set to test himself with an MLS side this month, with the Vancouver Whitecaps looking at Daniel Krutzen and Inter Miami evaluating Diego Espejo.

The Sporting Kansas City preseason will see the club feature against the Portland Timbers and Grand Canyon University last this month. Canadian MLS SuperDraft pick Stephen Afrifa will join the team following his spring season with Florida International University.