Daniel Karell

The Courier-Journal

Louisville City FC will be without one of its midfielders to start the season due to an international call-up.

Canada Soccer announced Saturday morning that Mark-Anthony Kaye has been included in the Canada Under-23 Men's National Team squad heading to the Aspire U-23 Tournament in Qatar. Canada will face Uzbekistan on March 25 and Qatar on March 28 in the friendly tournament.

“It’s always nice to get called up to a national team camp,” Kaye said in a statement. “I’m pleased with the selection, and hopefully I can go there and perform well again. I think these camps mean a lot. I’ve got to go in there with the right mentality and mindset.”

This is the Toronto, Ontario native's second call-up to Canada's U-23s since joining Louisville City in 2016. His first call-up on the team represented the club's first international call-up. Since then, goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh has received a call-up to the Trinidad and Tobago National Team.

“We are delighted for Mark-Anthony, as it’s such a prestigious honor to represent your country,” Louisville City coach James O’Connor said. “He has worked hard in the offseason, and this is a nice reward for that work.”

Louisville City opens the United Soccer League season on March 25 with a match against Saint Louis FC at Louisville Slugger Field.