Richmond Kickers News Release -- www.richmondkickers.com
Friday, January 18, 2013
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce that midfielder Philippe Davies has been named to the Canadian Men’s National Team’s 22-man roster for the upcoming camp, January 19-30. As part of the camp, Canada will feature in two Men’s International Friendlies, taking on Denmark on January 26 in Tucson, Ariz. before facing the United States on January 29 in Houston.
Having represented Canada at the U17, U20 and U23 international levels, the 22-year old is one of 10 players to earn his first call-up to the Men’s National Team. With an average age of just under 25, this is the youngest Canadian team to be assembled since May 2006.
“Philippe's selection to the Men's National Team is a significant accomplishment and a great honor for the club,” said Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer. “It's going to be a great learning experience to train alongside Canada's finest young players and play against the Danish and U.S. National teams. We rate Philippe very highly and expect to see him back in Major League Soccer very soon."
Interim head coach Colin Miller has stated that the camp will provide an important opportunity to assess the ‘future’ of the Canadian team.
“One of our key objectives for this camp is to look towards the future and give some of our young players a chance,” said Miller. “It is important for us to take a step forward during the camp and over the course of the next two matches. We expect the young players to come in very hungry and looking to show well for the future of the Men’s National Team.”
Davies joined the Kickers midseason in 2012, making six appearances and posting his first assist in a Kickers uniform on July 28 against the Charlotte Eagles. The native of Longueuil, Quebec transferred to Richmond after an extensive professional career with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, becoming the Whitecaps' first-ever Major League Soccer homegrown player and Canadian signing in 2010.
Having first joined with the Whitecaps U-23 Premier Development Team in 2007, he played an integral role in helping the team reach the PDL semifinals in their first season. Making his professional debut for the senior Vancouver Whitecaps in a 4-0 victory against the Minnesota Thunder on July 9, 2009, he continued on to make 29 appearances over two seasons, notching one goal and two assists. Prior to joining the Whitecaps FC Residency squad as an inaugural member, Davies featured for the U-16 and reserve sides of the French Ligue 2 club Dijon Football Côte-d'Or in 2006.