Niko Sigur to CanMNT and European seasons are underway

Dunlop and Alex are back in the Northern Futbol Studio in Vancouver and Ben joins from Toronto as the boys break down the latest in Canadian soccer, including Niko Sigur's commitment to the CanMNT from Croatia.
TOPICS INCLUDE:
-October friendly announced v Panama in Toronto
-September CanMNT squad release looming
-Niko Sigur is bringing a new edge to Canada
-CanMNT depth
-Whitecaps Girls Elite advance in new Concacaf W Champions Cup
-Sinclair to return to Vancouver with Portland Thorns
-CanPL transfers
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#Soccer #CanadaSoccer #SoccerCanada #CanMNT #CanWNT #PremierLeague #LaLiga #Bundesliga #Ligue1 #futbol #football #footy #SerieA

[@jrcanuck1]

Since you posted this discussion, Niko Sigur has committed to Canada. The 5'10" midfielder, born & raised in Canada, just switched his alliance to Canada from Croatia. He played on U-19 & U-21 teams for Croatia. Sigur came up through the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy, helping them win the USSDA Northwest Division championship in 2018. He also played one season with the York University Lions and the semi-professional Vaughan Azzurri before moving to Slovenia. He played the last two seasons with Hajduk Split in Croatia and made nine appearances for Croatia's Under-21 team. His U-21 coach lamented the fact that he switched to Canada & said that they had anticipated Niko playing for the Croatian mens A team someday. I would love to see Jesse Marsch invite 19 year old Santiago Lopez to 1 or all of these friendlies to try get him to be thinking hard about playing for Canada, instead of Mexico in 2026. This kid was outstanding offensively in the recent U-20 Championship Qualifying matches, playing for Canada. He showed a ton of skill, intelligence, excellent passing & goal scoring capability. We need to lock him up ASAP. In the same vein, Grady McDonnell, is a 6' tall 16 year old midfielder, who became the youngest player to sign a CPL contract when he joined Vancouver FC in 2023 at the age of 15. He is absolutely turning heads & bordering on having the "phenom" label. Vancouver coach Afshin Ghotbi has marvelled at McDonnell's performance in pre-season, calling him "one of the best young athletes in North America." "How he's improved, literally since Feb. 20, is incredible," Ghotbi added. "This guy's for real. Every day he's getting better. He works very hard at his profession." Canada Soccer will be keeping a close eye on McDonnell, who turned 16 on Feb. 17 because he too is a dual national & despite the fact that he was born & grew up & trained in Canada, his Dad is Irish & he has been playing internationally for Ireland so far. Kevin Blue & Jesse Marsch have to find a way to convince this homegrown talent to play for Canada's youth teams ASAP.