Canada<\/a> head coach Jesse Marsch has named 11 MLS players to his 23-man roster for the inaugural Canadian Shield Tournament, which includes two June friendlies at Toronto FC<\/a>‘s BMO Field before the Concacaf Gold Cup<\/a> this summer.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n MLS call-ups are bolded above.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n As part of the first-ever Canadian Shield Tournament, the CanMNT host European side Ukraine before facing African powerhouse Ivory Coast. New Zealand are also part of the four-team tournament; all matches will have a winner and games will go directly to penalties if teams are tied after regulation time.<\/p>\n These international friendlies will help Marsch’s group prepare for the Gold Cup. Their Group B slate begins June 17 against Honduras at BC Place (home of Vancouver Whitecaps FC<\/a>) before games against Cura\u00e7ao and El Salvador. Each group’s top two sides advance to the knockout phase.<\/p>\n Big picture, Canada are preparing to co-host the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico. Their squad is also one year into Marsch’s tenure; the former CF Montr\u00e9al<\/a> and New York Red Bulls<\/a> boss was hired in May 2024<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The 11 MLS call-ups are highlighted by three players who have helped lead the Whitecaps to the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup<\/a> final: defender Sam Adekugbe<\/a> and midfielders Ali Ahmed<\/a> and Jayden Nelson<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Montr\u00e9al have two representatives in defender Joel Waterman<\/a> and midfielder Nathan Saliba<\/a>, as do Minnesota United FC<\/a> with goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair<\/a> and forward Tani Oluwaseyi<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Portland Timbers<\/a> goalkeeper Maxime Cr\u00e9peau<\/a>, Nashville SC<\/a> winger Jacob Shaffelburg<\/a> and Toronto FC defender Richie Laryea<\/a> are all key players under Marsch. Sporting Kansas City<\/a> defender Zorhan Bassong<\/a> is vying for a bigger role.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Montr\u00e9al goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois<\/a> is one of two invited training players.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Of the remaining 12 players, five previously competed in MLS before making moves abroad. They include former New England Revolution<\/a> attacker Tajon Buchanan and forward Cyle Larin (Orlando City SC<\/a>).<\/p>\n Ex-Montr\u00e9al midfielders Mathieu Choini\u00e8re and Isma\u00ebl Kon\u00e9, as well as former Vancouver defender Derek Cornelius, are also included.<\/p>\n Whitecaps homegrown export Alphonso Davies is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in the 2025 Concacaf Nations League<\/a> third-place match against the USMNT. The Bayern Munich star got injured in March.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nGOALKEEPERS (2)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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DEFENDERS (7)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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MIDFIELDERS (9)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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FORWARD (5)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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June friendlies<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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MLS call-ups<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
MLS alums<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n