Atlético Ottawa has set off to Mexico for the next stage of pre-season training camp ahead of the 2024 Canadian Premier League (CPL) season, presented by WestJet.
This is the first time Atlético Ottawa has travelled to Mexico for pre-season, with the club having spent the last four training camps in Spain with parent club Atlético de Madrid. Atlético has spent three weeks training in Ottawa, and sessions in Mexico will begin on Wednesday. They will start in Qurétaro before heading to San Luis de Potosí for the latter half of the trip.
“We wanted to bring another view of the Atlético universe and what we have to offer to the team,” said Fernando López, CEO of Atlético Ottawa. “Atlético San Luis is a top club in Liga MX, they have incredible facilities. There’s going to be great weather, too, and we will be in a similar timezone, which is something we started to notice was affecting players after a long trip. We are going to face good opposition, including Altéico San Luis’ first team and second team, as well as teams in the second division in Mexico. Everything is pointing towards getting the best preparation possible for the upcoming season.”
“Pre-seasons are construction periods and our goal is to continue building the team on and off the field,” said Carlos González, Head Coach, Atlético Ottawa. “It will be a very important stage in which we will be able to consolidate personal connections with the new additions as well as test the team against top-level opponents in magnificent scenarios. We undoubtedly seek to take advantage of this period of work, in order to be prepared for the beginning of the 2024 season.”
Atlético will take part in four (4) pre-season training matches while in Mexico, which will replicate the competitive and professional environment of the CPL season. To keep up to date with the pre-season schedule and events, you can follow the club’s Twitter (now known as ‘X’), Instagram and Facebook.
Atlético Ottawa roster update
Loïc Cloutier, current CF Montréal u23 defender, has joined the squad for the Mexico pre-season training camp, having had a successful trial period with the first team extended. Cloutier is a right-footed, ambidextrous defender capable of playing all defensive positions. The 20-year-old was captain of CF Montréal’s u23 team for the past two seasons and featured in every match when he was available. Cloutier also has two (2) appearances for the Canada’s under-20 program.
U-SPORTS draftee Sam Laplante has been released by Atlético Ottawa following a three-week trial period with the first team. Atlético would like to thank Laplante for his commitment and professionalism and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.
Official Atlético Ottawa 2024 Roster as of March 12th, 2024
Goalkeepers: Nathan Ingham (CAN), Rayane Yesli (CAN)
Defenders: Karl Ouimette (CAN), Tyr Walker (CAN), Matteo de Brienne (CAN), Maxim Tissot (CAN), Aboubakary Sacko (FRA), Liberman Torres (ECU), Jonathan Grant (CAN)
Midfielders: Alberto Zapater (ESP), Ollie Bassett (GBR), Gabriel Antinoro (CAN), Kris Twardek (CAN), Abou Sissoko (CAN)
Forwards: Samuel Salter (CAN), Rubén del Campo (ESP), Ballou Tabla (CAN), Kevin dos Santos (POR)
*U Sports: Luca Piccioli (CAN)
**Ongoing contract discussions: Malcolm Shaw (CAN), Zach Verhoven (CAN), Zachary Roy (CAN)
***Out on-loan: Noah Verhoeven (CAN / Valour FC)
****On-trial: Loïc Cloutier (CAN / CF Montréal u23)