Atlantic Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 https://www.transfermarkt.us/santiago-lopez/profil/spieler/1095864 Been on the bench recently for Pumas in LigaMX and has 7 senior minutes so far. Not sure how he’s eligible but is on Canada's u20 roster. toontownman, Corazon, NVsoccer and 14 others 15 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shway Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 Apparently, he has played for MX youth teams as well. https://pumas.mx/noticias/1962/pablo-lara-y-santiago-lópez-a-la-selección-mexicana-sub-18 Would be very interesting to hear his eligibility and why he's giving Canada a chance this early. johnyb, king1010, YorkRegionFan and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obinna Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 The anti Marcelo Flores? Canuckia, toontownman, NVsoccer and 18 others 8 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominic94 Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 We recruit from mexicos own backyard now I love it MtlMario, YorkRegionFan, Corazon and 7 others 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shway Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 2 hours ago, Dominic94 said: We recruit from mexicos own backyard now I love it It's so unusual that he's the only guy I'm interested in. (And there's a lot of new names) Canuckia 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlantic Posted February 13 Author Share Posted February 13 Just realised the press release says that he grew up in Oakville and played with Oakville SC, perhaps born here as well? Kinda an interesting one to slip under the radar to us Ivan, canuckgbp, Canuckia and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaFan123 Posted February 13 Share Posted February 13 The pessimist/realist in me says we may be getting used as a tryout for Mexico u20s. The Real Marc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masster Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 His performances in the U20 tournament have made me even more curious about his backstory. Was he born in Canada? When did he head down to Mexico? Shway 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masster Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 If I understand this correctly, he lived in Canada for 6 years from 2009-2015 while his dad worked in Canada. https://www.infobae.com/mexico/2024/02/13/quien-es-santiago-lopez-el-canterano-de-pumas-que-prefirio-defender-los-colores-de-canada-sobre-los-de-mexico/ nolando, Xavier., lowlander and 6 others 5 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
An Observer Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 As he has played in an official comp at youth level, does this mean he would have to file he one time switch in order to rep Mexico at any level? If so, I would guess he is fairly serious about repping Canada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaFan123 Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 6 hours ago, An Observer said: As he has played in an official comp at youth level, does this mean he would have to file he one time switch in order to rep Mexico at any level? If so, I would guess he is fairly serious about repping Canada. This is the part I forgot about. He must be serious about playing for us because he risks ending his international career if he switches to Mexico. Honestly though after learning he lived in Canada for 6 years it makes sense as to why he would commit to us - this isn’t just some Bircham tie, he is Canadian. With Canada he could legitimately have a shot at 2026 if things fall into place and even if they don’t he’s hopefully going to be at a high enough level to play u23s and for the men’s team in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominic94 Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 If you think of it, if he starts paying even semi regularly, he could vault into 3 on the depth chart, and if he plays regularly and scores he could make a case against Larin. While we have some striker depth, there’s a drop after #2 and another at 3 and then it keeps dropping. I would even argue right now there’s no clear cut 3 and I mean Larin will be pushing 30 soon so… and I mean what do we have in the way of striker prospects ? Borjans Sweatpants 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
costarg Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 All this talk about playing CB's at midfield, playing the best LB at LW, righties playing on the left and vice versa, why aren't we playing Larin at CB??? h coach 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigandy Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 38 minutes ago, Dominic94 said: If you think of it, if he starts paying even semi regularly, he could vault into 3 on the depth chart, and if he plays regularly and scores he could make a case against Larin. While we have some striker depth, there’s a drop after #2 and another at 3 and then it keeps dropping. I would even argue right now there’s no clear cut 3 and I mean Larin will be pushing 30 soon so… and I mean what do we have in the way of striker prospects ? We actually have a ton of striker options. After cav and larin retire we have David Ugbo, JRR, Brym, Millar, Colyn, Bair, ayo, enin, With some prospects in: Promise, KSB, diallo, morgan, kerr, jebbison, lopez, oluwaseyi, afrifra, pepple, pacius, michel, vilsaint Obviously my list varies wildly in quality and liklihood of success but we have larin for 4ish years still. David, ugbo, Brym, JRR Bair for 8-10 years. Then some out of position guys like millar, colyn etc. So theres plenty of time for the prospects to develop and for us to get more prospects in the system. CanadaFan123 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obinna Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 22 minutes ago, costarg said: All this talk about playing CB's at midfield, playing the best LB at LW, righties playing on the left and vice versa, why aren't we playing Larin at CB??? Because he isn't Kevin McKenna. narduch, Cheeta, yomurphy1 and 1 other 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottawafan Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 2 hours ago, CanadaFan123 said: This is the part I forgot about. He must be serious about playing for us because he risks ending his international career if he switches to Mexico. Honestly though after learning he lived in Canada for 6 years it makes sense as to why he would commit to us - this isn’t just some Bircham tie, he is Canadian. With Canada he could legitimately have a shot at 2026 if things fall into place and even if they don’t he’s hopefully going to be at a high enough level to play u23s and for the men’s team in the future. I wouldn't say it makes sense for him to commit to Canada. I'd say it makes sense for both he and Canada to show interest in each other at this point. Always glad to add another name to the potential talent pool. And he seemingly shows promise but let's see what he can do over a longer period of time before he's anointed our #3 option. CanadaFan123 and Ivan 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinceA Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 (edited) https://www.somospumas.com.mx/noticias-de-pumas/mientras-santiago-lopez-brillo-en-canada-la-mala-noticia-que-tiene-en-pumas-20240227-8258.html This article paints a slightly grim view for Lopez' minutes this season. Funes Mori is expected to eat up most minutes and they have a loanee name Ali Avila who apparently is contractually obligated to receive at least 25% of minutes available. Not to mention the other attacking options on the team. However the article does note Pumas as a whole like Santi. Edited February 28 by VinceA Unnamed Trialist, youllneverwalkalone and Ivan 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaFan123 Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 5 hours ago, VinceA said: https://www.somospumas.com.mx/noticias-de-pumas/mientras-santiago-lopez-brillo-en-canada-la-mala-noticia-que-tiene-en-pumas-20240227-8258.html This article paints a slightly grim view for Lopez' minutes this season. Funes Mori is expected to eat up most minutes and they have a loanee name Ali Avila who apparently is contractually obligated to receive at least 25% of minutes available. Not to mention the other attacking options on the team. However the article does note Pumas as a whole like Santi. Maybe a loan to a CPL side isn’t out of the question then. That or a 2nd division Mexican team seem most realistic given his age and experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obinna Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 11 minutes ago, CanadaFan123 said: Maybe a loan to a CPL side isn’t out of the question then. That or a 2nd division Mexican team seem most realistic given his age and experience. I am all for CPL being a solid home for Canadians, but I can't help but wonder if staying in the Mexican pyramid is the best for him. I would personally like to see more of our players tested in Mexico, be it the first or second division. It sounds like he's already gotten first team minutes also, so as long as that continues he's in a great spot developmentally. dyslexic nam, johnyb, Shway and 9 others 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gigi riva Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 1 hour ago, Obinna said: I am all for CPL being a solid home for Canadians, but I can't help but wonder if staying in the Mexican pyramid is the best for him. I would personally like to see more of our players tested in Mexico, be it the first or second division. It sounds like he's already gotten first team minutes also, so as long as that continues he's in a great spot developmentally. Liga MX is a pretty good league to play in I think it is wise for him to stay put Obinna and costarg 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueseeka Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 I am happy that we have the CPL. But I think it's wild to have people mention him going to the CPL when he is getting a couple minutes in MX and training with Pumas. sebdeserio, Dominic94, Corazon and 8 others 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aird25 Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 (edited) CPL is exactly where a young Canadian player in need of minutes should go Edited February 29 by Aird25 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueseeka Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 (edited) Looks like in every game he wasn't with Canada, he made the bench. 6 total games on the 21 man bench and in 2 of those games, he saw very limited playing time. Which including 6 crucial minutes in a 2-2 tied game. You have to give it six months before the idea of a loan even happens. This is nothing like the Lucas Dias or Jesse Costa situations. It's exciting to see a prospect come out of nowhere but I fully expect Mexico to try to cap tie him within a year. If he shows any promise and Canada is interested Edited February 29 by blueseeka Obinna and Addona 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obinna Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 11 hours ago, Aird25 said: CPL is exactly where a young Canadian player in need of minutes should go And to that I would say Lopez is not in need of minutes...yet. How old is he? 18? 19? He's making the bench and has seen the field. If he goes back to Pumas now and can't get off the bench and a year passes by and he hasn't seen the field, then maybe we have that convo. InglewoodJack, Shway, blueseeka and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toontownman Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 I think we need to stop talking another him in case Mexico hear 😉 Will be interested to see if they make a play for him for July or whether he sticks with our u20's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now