Feature

Davies, Edwini-Bonsu, and Porter called up to Canada's U-23 Olympic squad

Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Philippe Davies (Bob Frid)

The Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) announced today that Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Philippe Davies and strikers Randy Edwini-Bonsu and Kyle Porter have all been called up to Canada's U-23 Olympic team for a 10-day camp in Phoenix, Arizona, this month.


All three are products of the Whitecaps FC Residency program, with the trio all seeing first-team action with the Blue and White during the 2010 season. Davies, Edwini-Bonsu, and Porter are part of head coach Tony Fonseca's 20-player squad, with the former Whitecaps FC head coach handing Davies and Edwini-Bonsu their third U-23 call-ups in the space of a year. Porter, meanwhile, earns his second call-up to Canada's Olympic squad after first training with the team in Florida last November.


Davies, 20, returns to the Olympic side after becoming Whitecaps FC's first-ever Major League Soccer homegrown player and Canadian signing last November. In 2010, the native of Longueuil, Quebec, enjoyed a highly productive season with the men's team. After making just two first-team appearances in 2009, Davies started 26 of his 32 appearances for 1,921 minutes of action last season. Playing primarily as a right-sided midfielder, he scored one goal and recorded two assists for four points last term. His first men's team goal came in a 2-2 draw away to Carolina RailHawks in the USSF D-2 Pro League on July 31.


Edwini-Bonsu, 20, returns to the Olympic squad after starting five of his 22 appearances for 590 minutes of action in 2010. The native of Edmonton, Alberta, scored twice for the men's team in USSF D-2 last season, with his first strike coming in a 1-1 home draw with Athletic Club of St. Louis on July 14. His second goal came in a 3-0 victory at Crystal Palace Baltimore on September 11.


Porter, 20, returns to Canada's U-23 team after making five appearances for 176 minutes of action last season. The native of Mississauga, Ontario, assisted on Cody Arnoux's equalizing goal during Vancouver's USSF D-2 regular season finale versus Portland Timbers on October 2. His lone start for the 'Caps came in last season's second leg of the USSF D-2 playoff semifinal versus Puerto Rico Islanders on October 17. Porter had re-joined Whitecaps FC during last summer's transfer window following two seasons on loan with Germany's FC Energie Cottbus.


Whitecaps FC 2011 Major League Soccer season tickets start at a base price of $319, plus applicable tax and a $10 processing fee per order, and more than 60 per cent of seats are available for less than $31 per game. To secure a seat and for additional information about Whitecaps FC MLS season tickets, suites, and loge boxes, call 604.669.9283 or visit whitecapsfc.com.