Canada summons MLS players Ahmed, Russell-Rowe for Copa America men's pre-camp

Canada's men's soccer squad has called up a pair of young Major League Soccer players for training camp ahead of its Copa America campaign.

The team announced Thursday that Vancouver Whitecaps wingback Ali Ahmed and Columbus Crew striker Jacen Russell-Rowe are both headed to Atlanta to join the national team.

Ahmed, 23, has one goal and one assist in 16 appearances for the Whitecaps this year while 21-year-old Russell-Rowe has three goals in 11 outings for the Crew.

Both players hail from Toronto and debuted for the senior men's team at the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup in Toronto last summer, but neither was on the squad that played friendly games against the Netherlands and France earlier this month.

Ahmed said he spoke to Canadian head coach Jesse Marsch around the time the roster for the friendlies was announced.

"He told me to just stay fit and be ready just in case they call me," he said. "So I wasn't too shocked [to be called up on Thursday]. I knew there was still a chance. Definitely very, very excited to join the group."

Canada also announced Thursday that defender Dominick Zator of Korona Kielce and striker Charles-Andreas Brym of Sparta Rotterdam are returning to their club teams to prepare for the seasons but remain eligible for the national team.

Canada's 26-player Copa America roster is set to be announced Saturday. The Canadians will begin the tournament on June 20 against World Cup champion Argentina.

CONMEBOL, the South American confederation, is allowing participating teams to have an expanded squad of 26 players instead of the usual 23. The move aligns CONMEBOL with UEFA, which is also allowing a 26-man roster for Euro 2024.

The 49th-ranked Canadian men open Group A play June 20 against No. 1 Argentina at