Ali Ahmed is both grateful and humble.

He害羞草研究所檚 grateful for the trust his coaches have placed in him. He also deflects praise and says he害羞草研究所檚 just doing his job.

The 22-year-old from Toronto has had a breakout season with the Vancouver Whitecaps, starting matches after getting signed in November 2022 to a full Major League Soccer contract.

Ahmed has scored two goals, one each in the Canadian Championship and MLS, despite playing different positions.

His performances have warranted a promotion to the Canadian national men害羞草研究所檚 team.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 super thankful for, you know, Vanni, (Michael D害羞草研究所橝gostino). Actually, no, all the coaches I had here,害羞草研究所� said Ahmed.

Ahmed grew up in Toronto after moving to Canada from Ethiopia. He said the fact he is a visible Ethiopian player is an inspiration.

害羞草研究所淚 hope a lot of youth could kind of see me as a motivation and to keep them dreaming and dream big, you know, and aim for the stars and hopefully they can be in one of these positions,害羞草研究所� Ahmed said.

John Herdman, the head coach of Canada害羞草研究所檚 men害羞草研究所檚 soccer team, praised Ahmed害羞草研究所檚 development after a strong Gold Cup campaign.

害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 got that little bit of what we害羞草研究所檝e seen from (Canadian international midfielder Ismael) Kone where he can find another level that damages teams, where he害羞草研究所檚 able to turn out of pressure, eliminate a line with his dribbling ability and his combination. He just has that 10-yard speed that top midfielders have,害羞草研究所� said Herdman.

害羞草研究所淲e gambled on him. I wanted Canada to see him. I wanted the world to hopefully see Ali Ahmed because we need some of these players 害羞草研究所� Ahmed, (Moise) Bombito, (Jacen) Russell-Rowe, etc. 害羞草研究所� we need them to springboard and springboard quick.害羞草研究所�

Herdman害羞草研究所檚 son played with Ahmed on the Whitecaps FC 2, meaning he害羞草研究所檚 seen up close how the player has developed.

害羞草研究所淚 get to watch more of those games than I think most people would. So I think it害羞草研究所檚 been a good foundation for Ali. He had a solid season and to be fair to the Caps, they害羞草研究所檝e given him his opportunity. And he took it,害羞草研究所� Herdman said.

Ahmed had an injury scare after getting a concussion against Pacific FC but has since recovered.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 two years that I worked with him,害羞草研究所� said Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini. 害羞草研究所淚 knew that he was going to be an important player. He害羞草研究所檚 surprised me because he added another variation to his game.害羞草研究所�

Sartini has played Ahmed across a variety of positions: wingback, centre midfielder and attacking midfielder.

害羞草研究所淚 think he needs to grow on two things: technical. Again, I害羞草研究所檒l say one versus one defending I think is the biggest area of improvement, uh, it害羞草研究所檚 the reason why for me at the moment, he can be a good wingback, he can be a very good (defensive midfielder),害羞草研究所� said Sartini.

害羞草研究所淭he other thing that probably needs to improve a little bit is the shooting.害羞草研究所�

But Ahmed is appreciated in the locker room.

害羞草研究所�(He) is not maybe an extrovert and everything, but he害羞草研究所檚 able to to put that silent joke sometimes and everyone loves them in the locker room,害羞草研究所� said Sartini.

READ ALSO: