Burnaby’s Michael Baldisimo is one of 20 players invited to the Canada Soccer’s men’s under-17 camp and series of international matches, which began this week in Panama.
The 16-year-old fullback joins a roster competing against Mexico and Panama in a three-nations
exhibition series, in preparation for next year’s CONCACAF men’s u17 championships.
The nine-day camp includes games against Mexico (Sept. 15) and Panama (Sept. 17), as well as an opportunity for the coaching staff to evaluate players.
“This is a great opportunity to play in Panama and to see what it will be like (next) April with the climate and the atmosphere,” said u17 head coach Paul Stalteri. “This will be another good test for these players.”
Baldisimo, who began playing soccer at Wesburn with stints in South Burnaby Metro and Burnaby Metro Selects, participated in the previous two camps – an evaluation camp in February and a pair of international matches last April. The Burnaby teen has also attended evaluation and indentification camps in both 2014 and 2015. He is also a member, since 2011, of the Vancouver Whitecaps residency program.
“This is another good opportunity to see where we stand (as well as) a big opportunity for the new kids that haven’t been with us before,” said Stalteri.
