SAHIL DEO becomes the first footballer of Fijian descent selected to the fourth annual MLS NEXT All-Star Game in Texas.
The 17- year-old Whitecaps FC BMO MLS Academy defender is in the elite group of 44 players selected following the conclusion of the 2024-25 regular season and the 2025 MLS NEXT Cup.
The MLS All-Stars match will showcase the future soccer stars
of North America in an East vs. West showdown at Parmer Field, home of Austin FC II, on Monday, July 21.
Deo came through Langley United in the BC Soccer Premier
League before joining the Whitecaps FC Pre-Academy, followed by the MLS Academy in 2022.
At the MLS NEXT level with the ‘Caps U-18 squad, the Canadian fullback started 24 matches, scoring three times and adding four assists.
In addition to playing in MLS NEXT with the Whitecaps FC
BMO Academy, the native of Port Coquitlam, BC has also made seven appearances and one start in MLS NEXT Pro with Whitecaps
FC 2 (WFC2) after making his pro debut with one appearance in 2024.
In his lone start, he recorded his first career assist on March 14 at North Texas SC.
65% of former MLS NEXT All-Stars have signed professional contracts, and more than 30 alumni have gone on to impress in MLS this season, including Jeevan Badwal (Vancouver Whitecaps FC).
Deo helped Canada qualify for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar in November.
