Matthew Baldisimo

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Matthew Baldisimo
Personal information
Date of birth (1998-01-20) January 20, 1998 (age 23)
Place of birth Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Midfielder, defender
Club information
Current team
 Pacific FC
Number 8
Youth career
Wesburn
South Burnaby Metro
Burnaby Selects
2011–2015 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2017 Whitecaps FC 2 43 (0)
2017 → Vancouver Whitecaps FC (loan) 0 (0)
2018 Fresno FC 3 (0)
2019– Pacific FC 37 (0)
National team‡
2014–2015 Canada U17 4 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of December 18, 2021
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of October 13, 2015

Matthew Baldisimo (born January 20, 1998) is a professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Canadian Premier League club Pacific FC. Born in Canada, he represented the country's U17 team; in May 2021, he was called up to the Philippines national team.

Early life[]

Baldisimo was born in Vancouver to Samuel Baldisimo and Mely Otucan, both of whom are Filipinos from Roxas, Capiz. He grew up in neighboring Burnaby.[1][2] He began playing soccer at age four with Wesburn YSC.[2] Baldisimo later played for fellow Burnaby clubs South Burnaby Metro and Burnaby Selects.[3]

His brothers Michael and Mark are also soccer players, both of whom are in the Vancouver Whitecaps system.[2]

Club career[]

Whitecaps FC 2[]

Baldisimo signed with Whitecaps FC 2 on February 23, 2016.[4] Baldisimo, along with fellow Whitecaps Academy products Kadin Chung and Thomas Gardner were praised during the club's USL playoff run in the 2016 USL season[5] In December 2016, Whitecaps FC 2 announced that Baldisimo would return to the club for the 2017 season.[6] In May 2017, Baldisimo was named to the Whitecaps roster for the 2017 Canadian Championship on a short-term contract.[7] He would spend three seasons with Whitecaps FC 2 before the club ceased operations after the 2017 season.[8]

Fresno FC[]

In December 2017, Baldisimo signed with Whitecaps USL affiliate Fresno FC.[9] He went on to make three appearances for the club that season.[10]

Pacific FC[]

On January 15, 2019 Baldisimo signed with Canadian Premier League side Pacific FC.[11] That year, he made 22 appearances for the club, including 21 starts.[10] The following year, he started in all ten of Pacific's matches during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.[10] On October 29, 2020, Baldisimo signed a new deal with Pacific, keeping him for the 2021 season.[12]

International career[]

At the international level, Baldisimo is eligible to represent Canada by birth and the Philippines through parentage.[2]

Canada[]

In 2013, Baldisimo represented Canada at the Cope de Naciones sub-15 and participated in two other U-15 national team camps that year.[2] In 2014, he played for the under-17 team for the first time at the Montaigu Tournament, and also played at the Copa de Naciones sub-16 later that year.[2] Baldisimo subsequently captained Canada at the 2015 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, making four appearances and scoring in his competitive debut against Haiti.[2]

Philippines[]

On May 13, 2021, Baldisimo received his first call-up to the Philippines national team ahead of three 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against China, the Maldives, and Guam.[1][13] However, he failed to make an appearance due to a registration and eligibility issue.[14] In November 2021 Baldisimo was initially called-up to the Azkals squad for the re-scheduled 2020 AFF Championship but had to withdraw due to injury.[15]

Honours[]

Club[]

Pacific FC

References[]

  1. ^ a b Adams, J.J. (May 16, 2021). "Whitecaps: 'Big Baldi' accepts call-up to Philippines, with an eye on World Cup qualification". The Province. Postmedia Network Inc. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Matthew Baldisimo". Canada Soccer. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  3. ^ "Matthew Baldisimo". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  4. ^ "Whitecaps FC sign teenagers Matthew Baldisimo and Alphonso Davies to WFC2". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. February 23, 2016. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  5. ^ Marc Weber (October 7, 2016). "'Telepathic' trio hooks talent, soccer dreams to WFC2 playoff wagon". Vancouver Province.
  6. ^ Whitecaps FC 2 (December 20, 2016). "Whitecaps FC 2 re-sign Sem de Wit and Will Seymore, announce roster update". Whitecaps FC 2.
  7. ^ "Whitecaps FC name 23-man roster for Tuesday's Canadian Championship semifinal". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. May 23, 2017.
  8. ^ Michael McColl (October 14, 2017). "California Dreaming: Goodbye WFC2, hello new beginnings – the ins and outs of the Whitecaps/Fresno partnership". AFTN Canada.
  9. ^ "Whitecaps FC assign three players to USL affiliate Fresno FC". Vancouver Whitecaps. December 7, 2017.
  10. ^ a b c "M. Baldisimo". Soccerway. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  11. ^ "Pacific Football Club bolsters lineup with trio of Canadian youth internationals". Pacific FC. January 15, 2019. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  12. ^ Thompson, Marty (October 29, 2020). "Pacific FC re-signs de Jong, Baldisimo and 3 others; Verhoven released".
  13. ^ Longo, Jack (May 13, 2021). "Matthew Baldisimo Called Up to Philippines National Team".
  14. ^ Jacques, John (June 8, 2021). "Registration Issues Delay Baldisimo Debut". Northern Tribune.
  15. ^ "Azkals gear up for AFF Suzuki Cup 2020". November 29, 2021.

External links[]

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