Ali Ahmed is both grateful and humble.

HeB次元官网网址檚 grateful for the trust his coaches have placed in him. He also deflects praise and says heB次元官网网址檚 just doing his job.

The 22-year-old from Toronto has had a breakout season with the Vancouver Whitecaps, starting matches after getting signed in November 2022 to a full Major League Soccer contract.

Ahmed has scored two goals, one each in the Canadian Championship and MLS, despite playing different positions.

His performances have warranted a promotion to the Canadian national menB次元官网网址檚 team.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 super thankful for, you know, Vanni, (Michael DB次元官网网址橝gostino). Actually, no, all the coaches I had here,B次元官网网址� said Ahmed.

Ahmed grew up in Toronto after moving to Canada from Ethiopia. He said the fact he is a visible Ethiopian player is an inspiration.

B次元官网网址淚 hope a lot of youth could kind of see me as a motivation and to keep them dreaming and dream big, you know, and aim for the stars and hopefully they can be in one of these positions,B次元官网网址� Ahmed said.

John Herdman, the head coach of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 menB次元官网网址檚 soccer team, praised AhmedB次元官网网址檚 development after a strong Gold Cup campaign.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 got that little bit of what weB次元官网网址檝e seen from (Canadian international midfielder Ismael) Kone where he can find another level that damages teams, where heB次元官网网址檚 able to turn out of pressure, eliminate a line with his dribbling ability and his combination. He just has that 10-yard speed that top midfielders have,B次元官网网址� said Herdman.

B次元官网网址淲e gambled on him. I wanted Canada to see him. I wanted the world to hopefully see Ali Ahmed because we need some of these players B次元官网网址� Ahmed, (Moise) Bombito, (Jacen) Russell-Rowe, etc. B次元官网网址� we need them to springboard and springboard quick.B次元官网网址�

HerdmanB次元官网网址檚 son played with Ahmed on the Whitecaps FC 2, meaning heB次元官网网址檚 seen up close how the player has developed.

B次元官网网址淚 get to watch more of those games than I think most people would. So I think itB次元官网网址檚 been a good foundation for Ali. He had a solid season and to be fair to the Caps, theyB次元官网网址檝e given him his opportunity. And he took it,B次元官网网址� Herdman said.

Ahmed had an injury scare after getting a concussion against Pacific FC but has since recovered.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 two years that I worked with him,B次元官网网址� said Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini. B次元官网网址淚 knew that he was going to be an important player. HeB次元官网网址檚 surprised me because he added another variation to his game.B次元官网网址�

Sartini has played Ahmed across a variety of positions: wingback, centre midfielder and attacking midfielder.

B次元官网网址淚 think he needs to grow on two things: technical. Again, IB次元官网网址檒l say one versus one defending I think is the biggest area of improvement, uh, itB次元官网网址檚 the reason why for me at the moment, he can be a good wingback, he can be a very good (defensive midfielder),B次元官网网址� said Sartini.

B次元官网网址淭he other thing that probably needs to improve a little bit is the shooting.B次元官网网址�

But Ahmed is appreciated in the locker room.

B次元官网网址�(He) is not maybe an extrovert and everything, but heB次元官网网址檚 able to to put that silent joke sometimes and everyone loves them in the locker room,B次元官网网址� said Sartini.

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