The past few months have been an exciting time for Canadian soccer supporters. Several players are having career years. Jonathan Osorio has been Toronto FC’s best player this season, Cyle Larin has been starting with Besiktas and Alphonso Davies is on his way to Bayern Munich.

None of those players, have been in form the way Jonathan David has for KAA Gent. The 18-year-old, in his first professional season in Belgium’s top division, has scored six times in seven appearances across league play and Europa League qualifiers. He has only started once.

The incredible run of form sees the Ottawa native quickly emerging as the next young Canadian talent to watch. He has already signed an extension with Gent, who are one of the top clubs in Belgium and developed Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne.

David’s recent play has earned him a call up to the Canadian men’s national team for their September 9 nations league opener against the US Virgin Islands. John Herdman announced his squad today for his second camp as senior national team coach.

David is not alone in getting his first call. Juventus academy goalkeeper Alessandro Busti, who is 18, and Lyon fullback Zachary Brault-Guillard, who is 19, will also represent Canada at the senior level for the first time.

Herdman will likely be using this match, which is an official FIFA event, as a chance to cap tie a number of those players. The youth theme continues throughout the roster with Alphonso Davies, Derek Cornelius and Liam Millar also being called up.

That youth will be insulated by a number of national team regulars including Osorio, Larin, Scott Arfield and Samuel Piette.

The side very much mirrors what Herdman did on the women’s side of things, retaining his key veterans for every camp while also mixing in several promising youngsters. His “if you are ready, you are ready” regardless of age mentality paid off in a big way during his time with that program.

Canada will play four 2018-19 Concacaf Nations League qualifiers. After the US Virgin Islands match they play Dominica at BMO Field on October 16, visit St. Kitts and Nevis on November 18 and round out their schedule at home on March 26 against French Guiana.

Here is the full roster John Herdman has called into camp:

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crépeau (Ottawa Fury), Milan Borjan (Red Star Belgrade), Alessandro Busti (Juventus Primavera)

Defenders: Zachary Brault-Guillard (Lyon), Manjrekar James (FC Fredericia), Derek Cornelius (FK Javor Ivanjica), Dejan Jaković (Los Angeles FC), Doneil Henry (Vancouver Whitecaps)

Midfielders: Samuel Piette (Montreal Impact), Russell Teibert (Vancouver Whitecaps), David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone), Junior Hoilett (Cardiff), Alphonso Davies (Vancouver Whitecaps), Jay Chapman (Toronto FC), Liam Millar (Liverpool), Scott Arfield (Glasgow Rangers), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC), Tesho Akindele (FC Dallas)

Forwards: Cyle Larin (Besiktas), Tosaint Ricketts (Toronto FC), Lucas Cavallini (Puebla), Jonathan David (Gent)