VANCOUVER, B.C. - As Canada gets set for next month's Gold Cup competition in the United States, Octavio Zambrano's side dispatched 70th ranked Curacao, with a 2-1 win in Montreal on Tuesday. noticeably absent from the roster-sheet, FC Dallas forward Tesho Akindele. Many wondered why Akindele was not part of Zambrano's first match with Canada.
RedNation Online sat down with Akindele ahead of the FC Dallas match against Vancouver tonight at B.C. Place to get to the bottom of his absence in Montreal.
"Yeah, some people said that I got cut from the camp, but that's not true," said Akindele. "That's not what happened. It was agreed that I was going to go back to play in Portland, that's the true story. Before I even went to the camp, I had a ticket to go home. We had an MLS game in Portland. Fernando Clavijo had talked to Octavio, and they had arranged that it would be alright, as long as I stayed for the intra-squad game on the Thursday. I stayed for that game, and I was already supposed to go back to Portland."
The 25 year-old Akindele is not off Octavio Zambrano Christmas card list. He isn't in the dog house, and he's not screening his phone calls. This was all pre-planned before Canada played Curacao. Despite it being an international week, FC Dallas had an away fixture against Portland Timbers FC on Saturday, June 10. Akindele accordingly departed Canada's camp in Laval, Quebec to play for his club team, and that's all there is to it.
"Some people were saying I got cut," said Akindele. "I must of played terribly, I don't think I played terribily. It's not really my place to say, I guess you can set the record straight."
When he isn't hearing from the peanut gallery on both sides of the border. Akindele has participated in every FC Dallas MLS match this season. He's scored twice, and will be looking to add to his goal haul in front of family, and friends in attendance this evening.
"I think personally it's been alright," said Akindele of his season thus far. "I've started a decent amount of games, and I've played in every single game I've been around for. I think it's been going alright, I'd hoped to have a few more goals, but hopefully that will come."
This could be a milestone match for the Calgary, Alberta native. Akindele currently sits on 99 MLS regular season appearances. He has family in Vancouver who will be at the game, including his mom's cousin. If Coach Oscar Pareja starts him or brings him off the bench, you can expect a small cheering contingent to be beaming with pride and joy.
"That's a huge deal," said Akindele of his upcoming achievement. "When I first came into the league I just wanted a contract. Now to be approaching 100 games. It's kind of humbling I guess. I'm pretty excited."
Akindele is living the dream few athletes have the opportunity to have. While he and his FC Dallas teammates prepare for Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Akindele has one eye on his national team and the upcoming Gold Cup competition.
Canada will play French Guiana on July 7, Costa Rica on July 11, and forever rival, Honduras on July 14. The red and white are a much different team than the previous Gold Cup edition in 2015 where they finished last in Group B with a 0-2-1 record.
"If you look at all the guys we've got over the last two or three years," said Akindele. "We have so many good players, especially on offence. We've added a lot of new guys, and it's been good. The defence has been solid the whole time. Last Gold Cup, we only let in one goal. Our defence has been strong, and our offence is improving. I think it's an exciting time for us."
One of those new guys that's already making a big impact is 16 year-old Alphonso Davies. Yes, he only has 1 cap, and it came on Tuesday when he came off the bench vs Curacao, but Davies could be a fantastic player. Having only practiced with him on a few occasions, Akindele is amazed by what the young prodigy can already do.
"Honestly, I was super impressed," revealed Akindele. "I think he came a little bit late because he had just got his citizenship. I saw him play two or three practices. Man, this kid he is really good. He's only sixteen, but he's built like a full-grown adult. He's fast, he's strong, his foot skills are unbelievable. Having somebody like him on our team is definitely going to be huge moving forward."
Akindele is ready to provide offence for Canada whenever his name is called. He could be the guy to end Canada's Gold Cup scoring drought. Dwayne De Rosario scored Canada's last Gold Cup goal on June 14, 2011. Canada failed to score in the 2013, and 2015 tournaments. Akindele could be looking at increased minutes, and a bigger role depending on what happens with Brampton, Ontario native, and Orlando City SC's Cyle Larin.
"I just hope everything works out for Cyle," said Akindele. "He's such a good guy, such a good player. I'm just sending good thoughts towards him."
It's going to be a busy time for Tesho Akindele, and it all starts with an important road match against Vancouver. The Gold Cup is on the horizon, but first thing on the docket is three points for FC Dallas, and a sold performance for a good Canadian footballer.
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