A Maple Ridge soccer phenom has reached another career milestone, as Taryck ‘TJ’ Tahid has been called up by Canada’s U17 men’s national team for an upcoming friendly series in Brazil.
Langley-based Vancouver FC made Tahid the youngest player in Canadian Premier League history to sign a standard contract in May. This week, the 16-year-old learned he has been chosen for his first youth international play.
“It’s exciting news,” he said. “To represent their country is almost every footballer’s dream.”
READ ALSO: Vancouver FC makes Maple Ridge teen the league’s youngest player
Tahid will join Canada for a two-match international series against defending FIFA U-17 World Cup champions Brazil. The friendlies are set for Sept. 29 and Oct. 1 in São Paulo.
“It’ll be an amazing experience,” predicted Tahid.
“I expect them to move the ball fast, and to have a lot of skill.”
These matches mark the next step for Canada’s squad on the road to the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup, coming in November and December in Indonesia. Canada qualified for the biennial tournament through the Concacaf Under-17 Championship in February in Guatemala.
This will be the first FIFA U-17 World Cup since before the COVID-19 pandemic, when Canada and Brazil faced each other in the group phase on the opening day in Gama at Brazil 2019. The host Brazilians went on to win the tournament.
Tahid was in Calgary on Monday morning, where Vancouver FC had lost a 2-1 contest to Cavalry FC on Saturday. The team was headed for Winnipeg and a match with Valour FC on Wednesday. After that game, Tahid will be bound for Brazil on Saturday.
“It has been a whirlwind season with many amazing moments, but this is certainly one of the most special so far,” said the teen. “I hope I can take what I’ve learned with Vancouver FC and make it count on the international stage.”
He said the Vancouver FC coaching staff have helped him improve in every way.
“All aspects of my game have levelled up.”
Tahid became the youngest player to appear in a CPL match during his debut as a second half substitute in Vancouver’s home opener on May 7, and once again made history as the league’s youngest-ever scorer when he netted his first goal against Pacific FC on June 2. The forward has made six starts in eighteen appearances overall for Vancouver this season.
“TJ is a tremendous competitor and has shown massive improvement this season,” said Afshin Ghotbi, head coach, Vancouver FC. “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 U17 level and beyond.”
READ ALSO: Abbotsford Canucks bringing 2023 Training Camp to Chillwack