Canada Soccer reintroduces NEX-PRO integration camps at MLS academies

Canada Soccer have reintroduced their NEX-PRO integration camp program for U-17 players alongside MLS academies in Vancouver, Toronto and Montréal. Lead by Men’s National Youth Excel Director Andrew Olivieri and Men’s Regional Excel Director Mike Vitulano, the integrated youth camps provide Canada Soccer with an opportunity to work alongside players, coaches and staff from each of the three Major League Soccer academies in Canada.

Canada Soccer introduced their NEX-PRO integration camps in 2018-19, but the program was paused during the global pandemic. The latest camps run this month from 4 to 8 September in the west at Vancouver Whitecaps FC and in the east from 11 to 15 September at both Toronto FC and CF Montréal. This year’s camp features U-17 players born 2006 or later, thus eligible for the 2023 Concacaf Men’s Under-17 Championship and FIFA U-17 World Cup Peru 2023.

“We’re excited to bring back Canada Soccer’s NEX-PRO integration camps with an opportunity to work with a new generation of players at the three MLS academies,” said Andrew Olivieri, Canada Soccer’s National Youth Excel Director. “It’s a strong, innovative approach that lets our coaches work hand in hand with Canadian youth players as well as coaches and staff within their club environments.”

Beyond the three NEX-PRO integration camps in September, Canada Soccer will hold a national camp in Montréal in October featuring players from both domestic and international clubs. These camps will continue Canada Soccer’s preparations for the upcoming 2023 Concacaf Men’s Under-17 Championship scheduled for the first quarter in 2023.

Canada Soccer’s Men’s EXCEL Program channels our nation’s exceptional players into the best soccer environments. The Canada Soccer Pathway works in collaboration with our provincial and territory partners as well as the professional clubs and academies. For Canada’s elite players, the program emphasizes player development on the pathway to representing Canada’s Men’s National Team in international soccer.

CANADA SOCCER’S MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM PROGRAM

Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team are three-time Concacaf champions, previously winning the 1985 Concacaf Championship, 2000 Concacaf Gold Cup, and 2021-22 Concacaf Qualifiers. Canada most recently qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and have previously featured at the 1976 and 1984 Olympic Games, the 1986 FIFA World Cup, and the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Youth Teams have won two Concacaf titles: both the 1986 and 1996 Concacaf Men’s Youth Championships. Canada have qualified for 15 FIFA men’s youth tournaments: eight editions of the FIFA U-20 World Cup and seven editions of the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Canada most recently qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019, which was the last FIFA men’s youth competition before the global pandemic.