MONTREAL – Goalkeeper James Pantemis, defender Thomas Meilleur-Giguère and midfielders Shamit Shome and David Choinière, from the Impact’s first team, as well as defender Daniel Kinumbe, midfielders Mathieu Choinière and Clément Bayiha, and forward Gabriel Balbinotti, from the club’s Academy, were selected by the U23 Canadian national team to take part in a camp in Orlando, Florida, from January 9 to 18.
The Canadian team will play two friendlies against S.I.M.A and Club Atletico National (Colombia). The players selected are eligible for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Homegrown midfielder David Choinière signed his first contract with the Impact in 2016, while Shamit Shome was selected by the Bleu-blanc-noir during the 2017 SuperDraft.
James Pantemis and Thomas Meilleur-Giguère, also Homegrown players, signed a contract with the first team last November, for the 2018 season.
Daniel Kinumbe, Mathieu Choinière and Clément Bayiha are currently part of the Impact U19 side, which plays in the Development Academy. The team is currently first of its group and third in the general standings.
After spending four years with the Impact Academy, until June 2017, Gabriel Balbinotti trained with the first team during the second half of the season.
