Teenaged Shola Jimoh impresses at men's soccer training session, offering evidence of CPL development strategy

Shola Jimoh didn't seem especially striking when he began training with the Canadian men's national soccer team for the first time this week. Small, quiet, just 16 years old, he walked onto the field looking like a boy among men. 

It didn't take long to see what makes him a prospect, a project, a wish, a threat: In the frenzied session that followed, he was always on the attack, always on the balls of his feet.

In advance of this month's Nations League quarterfinal matchup against Suriname, head coach Jesse Marsch held a training camp for 19 North American-based players to keep them sharp out of season.

Some were his regular starters, like Richie Laryea and Kamal Miller. Others were players on the margins and first-time invitees. Only one doesn't play Major League Soccer: Shola Jimoh.

Jimoh is a forward for York United FC of the Canadian Premier League, the six-year-old domestic competition founded on the promise of developing players like him.

His side fell short of this Saturday's CPL final between Hamilton Forge and Calgary's Cavalry FC, which will be broadcast live beginning at 3 p.m. ET (12 p.m. PT) on CBC, CBC Gem, and cbc.ca.