What if Canada fielded an All Brampton XI?

There’s been a lot of attention lately regarding the fact that 32% of Canada’s current roster are players from Brampton, home of Brampton Adult Soccer and many other devout soccer organizations. So at BAS we had started jokingly asking “What if Canada fielded an ALL BRAMPTON XI?”

However, what was initially a joke started to become a genuine question we wanted answered. Unexpectedly, instead of scrambling to come up with 11 names, we actually found ourselves with “selection issues” for our All Brampton XI.

As a result, we present to you our All Brampton XI with an All Brampton Roster of substitutes.

All Brampton XI

How They Line Up

Starting at the back we have Matt Silva as our goalkeeper. When called into action for Valor FC this past season Matt’s performances earned him a few “Team of the Week” spots on the official Canadian Premier League website.

We’re going with a back 3 of Doniel Henry in the middle with York United’s Roger Thompson to his right and impressive youngster Luke Singh to his right. Singh is currently on load with Pacific FC from Toronto FC.

Helping out as wingers/wingbacks are Tajon Buchanan, encouraged to get further forward (more on that when we discuss Hoilett’s role) and Chris Nanco on the left. Two strong, dynamic and extremely fast wingers that can play on either side of the ball.

In the middle we have Brampton Legends Atiba Hutchinson and Jonathan Osorio, with Hutchinson sitting deepest and Osorio looking to help break the lines.

Up front Liam Millar will tear up and down the left hand side looking to cut in and create shots for himself or opportunities for Larin, Hoilett and Buchanan. Junior Hoilett himself will be drift in closer to Osorio to ensure our midfield two don’t get outnumbered which then also leaves room for Buchanan to isolate opposition defenders on the right. In the striker spot, we have Canada’s current men’s record goal scorer, Cyle Larin doing what he does best. Scoring goal after goal after goal.

The Substitutes

This is where things got interesting… …there’s actually quite a few Brampton soccer pros that are just waiting for their chance to challenge for a spot in our starting XI.

Goal Keepers

• Baj Maan(Forge FC, CPL)
• Quillan Roberts (1812 FC Barrie, League1 Ontario)
• Daniel Correia (he wouldn’t stop asking)

Defenders

• Oluwaseun Oyegunle (Sigma FC, League1 Ontario)
• Rohan Gouldbourne (Toronto FC II, MLS Next)

Midfielders

• Keven Aléman (Atletico Ottawa, CPL) – central
• Reshaun Walkes (Toronto FC, MLS) – winger

Forwards

• Iké Ugbo (Troyes, Ligue 1 – on load from Genk)
• Ayo Akinola (Toronto FC, MLS)
• Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty (Toronto FC, MLS)
• Jayden Nelson (Toronto FC, MLS)
• Jacen Russell-Rowe (Maryland Terrapins, NCAA)

So how would this team fare in CONCACAF competition? This team would win games.

As the BAS’ President said earlier today:

“I 100% think our All Brampton XI could hold it’s own against most CONCACAF National Teams. Probably finish 4th in the Octagonal; but then again, if that meant these guys had to play for Brampton instead of Canada, then maybe they’d even finish 3rd.”

“Honestly, if I were a bored rich billionaire like Branson or Bezos, I’d spend money to set this up. All Brampton XI vs. a smaller CONMEBOL team at Vic Park or somewhere. All players would get $100,000 plus another $100,000 to the charity of their choice. There’d be plenty of people lined up to watch that spectacle. Anyway, that’d be a waaaaay cooler use of money than flying to space.”

P Beckett – President, Brampton Adult Soccer