LOUISVILLE, Ky. – While his teammates were preparing for the start of the 2017 USL regular season late last March, Louisville City FC midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye was also hard at work with the Canada U23 Men’s National Team as it prepared for a three-team exhibition tournament in Qatar.

As much as he’d impressed in his first season in Louisville, it was an opportunity the 22-year-old knew he needed to take advantage of.

“Getting the call-up to Qatar with the U23s, it was something where I knew I had to stake my claim there, with my own age group,” said Kaye. “Luckily enough I did, and then [Canada Head Coach] Octavio Zambrano was there, and he liked what I was about and started bringing me in with the men’s national team. Then after that I knew that the job only got harder, and I needed to solidify a spot with these world-class players.”

After being named Man of the Match in Canada’s 2-0 win against the hosts, Kaye’s stock rapidly rose. Called into the full national team for the first time in June, the native of Toronto earned selection to Canada’s Gold Cup team the following month, making two appearances and his first start for his country as Canada reached the quarterfinals.

Kaye believes his experience in Louisville has helped him make the breakthrough at the international level, with Head Coach James O’Connor’s side continuing its consistent performance this year to reach Monday night’s USL Cup against the Swope Park Rangers.

“I credit Louisville City for helping me have the right attitude and the right mentality,” said Kaye. “James is all about work hard and the rest will take its course, and it’s been a really good year with that.”