Antoine Coupland

Antoine Coupland (born December 12, 2003) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Whitecaps FC 2 in MLS Next Pro.

Antoine Coupland
Personal information
Date of birth (2003-12-12) December 12, 2003
Place of birth Chelsea, Quebec, Canada
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Whitecaps FC 2
Youth career
CS des Collines
2014–2019 Ottawa St. Anthony
2022–2023 Rijeka
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019 Ottawa Fury FC 3 (0)
2020–2021 Atlético Ottawa 18 (2)
2022–2023 Rijeka 0 (0)
2023– Whitecaps FC 2 23 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of September 1, 2023

Early life

Coupland grew up in Chelsea, Quebec and attended Collège Saint-Alexandre.[1][2] He began playing youth soccer at age four with CS des Collines.[3] He joined Ottawa St. Anthony SC's Futuro Soccer Academy program at age 11.[4][5] When he was 14, he was invited to join the Montreal Impact Academy, but declined, due to feeling too young to move.[6] In July 2019, he was set to go on trial with English club Sheffield United,[7] but turned down the opportunity to instead sign a professional contract with his hometown team, Ottawa Fury.[8]

Club career

In July 2019, Coupland signed his first professional contract with Ottawa Fury FC of the USL Championship at age 15.[9][10] At the age of 15 years old, Coupland became the youngest first-team player in the club's history and one of the youngest professional players in Canada.[11][12] Coupland made his debut for the Fury on July 20, 2019, coming off the bench in the 85th of the game in a 4–0 victory over the Swope Park Rangers.[13]

In March 2020, Coupland signed with new Canadian Premier League side Atlético Ottawa.[14][15] He became the team's second-ever signing and first local player.[16][17] However, his debut was ultimately delayed as the beginning of the season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[18] He made his debut on August 19 against Valour FC.[19] He played in three of the club's seven total matches during the season, which was drastically shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, playing a total of 98 minutes.[20] In January 2021, he re-signed with the club for the 2021 season.[21][22][23] On July 11, 2021, Coupland scored his first professional goal, netting the second against Cavalry FC in a 2–0 victory.[24][25][26][27] He scored his first home goal on October 24, 2021 against York United FC.[28][29][30] He departed the club, following the season.[31] Over his time with Atlético Ottawa, he scored two goals in eighteen appearances.[32]

In November 2021, Coupland announced he was going on trial with clubs in Europe,[33][34] upon turning 18, as it was his dream to play in Europe.[35] He first went on trial with clubs in Portugal and Germany.[36] He received an offer to join SC Braga's U23 team, following a three week trial, but declined the offer, seeking a first team deal. Afterwards, he trialed with German clubs TSV 1860 Munich and VfB Stuttgart.[37]

In February 2022, Coupland signed with Croatian First Football League side HNK Rijeka.[38][39][40] He began playing with the U19 team, but quickly began training with the first team.[41][42] In March 2023, he terminated his contract by mutual consent.[43]

In 2023, he joined MLS Next Pro side Whitecaps FC 2.[44] Initially reported to be a loan with a purchase option,[45][46] after he terminated his contract with Rijeka, it was instead a permanent deal.[44] He scored on his debut on March 26 against Portland Timbers 2.[47]

International career

In May 2022, Coupland was named to the 60-man provisional Canadian U-20 team for the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.[48]

Career statistics

Club
As of September 1, 2023[49]
Club Season League Playoffs Domestic Cup Continental Total
Division AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Ottawa Fury 2019 USL Championship 300000—30
Atlético Ottawa 2020 Canadian Premier League 30———30
2021 152—10—162
HNK Rijeka 2022–23 Croatian Football League 00—000000
Whitecaps FC 2 2023 MLS Next Pro 23200——232
Career total 444001000454

References
  1. "Chelsea soccer player signs with Atletico Ottawa". CTV News. March 5, 2020.
  2. Andriamihamisoa, Mirantsoa (June 5, 2020). "Le meilleur des deux mondes" [The best of both worlds]. La Plume Étudiante de l’Outaouais (in French). p. 4.
  3. Antoine Coupland at the Canadian Soccer Association
  4. Vallière, Kim (August 26, 2019). "Le soir où je suis devenu joueur de soccer professionnel… à 15 ans" [The night I became a professional soccer player… at 15]. Ici Radio-Canada Télé (in French).
  5. Jobin, Jonathan (June 18, 2019). "Le rendez-vous raté d'Antoine Coupland avec le Fury et l'histoire du soccer canadien" [Antoine Coupland's missed date with the Fury and the history of Canadian soccer]. Ici Radio-Canada Télé (in French).
  6. Rainbird, Daniel (October 29, 2020). "Atlético Ottawa's 16-year-old phenom Antoine Coupland". Ottawa Life Magazine.
  7. "Young midfielder set for 2 week trial with Sheffield United". Sport Witness. June 19, 2019.
  8. Miller-Davis, Stuart (August 27, 2019). "Fury 15-year-old wunderkind shouldering lofty expectations". Ottawa Sportspages.
  9. Thompson, Marty (December 22, 2020). "Atlético Ottawa's Antoine Coupland is a top teenage prospect: The Next Gen". Canadian Premier League.
  10. Mathew, Aaron (February 8, 2023). "Former Atlético Ottawa midfielder Antoine Coupland linked with loan move to Vancouver Whitecaps: report". Canadian Soccer Daily.
  11. "Meet Antoine Coupland, Ottawa's teen soccer prodigy". CBC Sports. July 27, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  12. "Atlético Ottawa's Antoine Coupland chats soccer with St. Anthony Futuro Academy Players". Canadian Premier League. May 20, 2020.
  13. Vallière, Kim (July 23, 2019). "Antoine Coupland, le petit frère du Fury d'Ottawa et professionnel à 15 ans" [Antoine Coupland, the Ottawa Fury's little brother and professional at 15]. Ici Radio-Canada Télé (in French).
  14. "Atlético Ottawa adds 16-year-old local phenom Antoine Coupland". Atlético Ottawa. March 5, 2020. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  15. Jacques, John (March 5, 2020). "Atletico Ottawa Signs 16-Year-Old Antoine Coupland". Northern Tribune.
  16. Plante, Jean-François (March 5, 2020). "Antoine Coupland, premier joueur local de l'Atlético" [Antoine Coupland, Atlético's first local player]. Le Droit (in French).
  17. Davidson, Neil (March 5, 2020). "Teenage midfielder Antoine Coupland is Atlético Ottawa's second signing". Global News.
  18. Plante, Jean-François (March 12, 2020). "COVID-19 : Coupland heureux malgré tout en Espagne" [COVID-19: Coupland happy despite everything in Spain]. Le Droit (in French).
  19. O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (August 19, 2020). "Second-half onslaught lifts Valour FC over 10-men Atlético Ottawa". Canadian Premier League.
  20. Diamandas, Ethan (October 14, 2020). "Teenage midfielder Antoine Coupland reflects on his first season with Atlético Ottawa". Ottawa Sportspages.
  21. O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (January 21, 2021). "Atlético Ottawa re-signs Canadian midfielder Antoine Coupland". Canadian Premier League.
  22. Jacques, John (January 25, 2021). "Atletico Ottawa Re-Signs Teenager Antoine Coupland". Northern Tribune.
  23. "Atletico Ottawa brings back local midfielder Antoine Coupland". Montreal Gazette. January 25, 2021.
  24. Sy, Ismaël (July 12, 2021). "Un premier but chez les professionnels pour Antoine Coupland" [A first professional goal for Antoine Coupland]. Ici Radio-Canada Télé (in French).
  25. Plante, Jean-François (July 12, 2022). "Coupland marque son premier but professionnel" [Coupland scores his first professional goal]. Le Droit (in French).
  26. Benson, Stuart (July 30, 2022). "Coupland scores!". The Low Down.
  27. "Coupland's First (of many)". Atlético Ottawa. July 12, 2021.
  28. "Local Antoine Coupland scores first goal at home stadium as Atletico Ottawa plays to 1-1 draw". Ottawa Sun. October 24, 2021.
  29. Plante, Jean-François (October 24, 2021). "Coupland marque à la Place TD" [Coupland scores at TD Place]. Le Droit (in French).
  30. "Antoine Coupland strikes at home". Atlético Ottawa. November 4, 2021.
  31. Plante, Jean-François (January 13, 2022). "Le noyau de l'Atlético de retour, mais pas Coupland" [The core of Atlético back, but not Coupland]. Le Droit (in French).
  32. Jacques, John (February 6, 2022). "Antoine Coupland Joins HNK Rijeka". Northern Tribune.
  33. St-Laurent, Sylvain (November 15, 2021). "Antoine Coupland s'envole vers l'Europe" [Antoine Coupland flies to Europe]. Le Droit (in French).
  34. Jacques, John (November 15, 2021). "Coupland Set For Trial Period Abroad: 'I'm Betting On Myself'". Northern Tribune.
  35. Plante, Jean-François (October 29, 2021). "Trop peu, trop tard pour Coupland?" [Too little, too late for Coupland?]. Le Droit (in French).
  36. Lalande, Charles (February 6, 2022). "Un contrat en Croatie pour Antoine Coupland : « Mon rêve de jeunesse »" [A contract in Croatia for Antoine Coupland: “My childhood dream”]. Ici Radio-Canada Télé (in French).
  37. Plante, Jean-François (February 6, 2022). "Coupland amorce une carrière européenne en Croatie" [Coupland begins European career in Croatia]. Le Droit (in French).
  38. "Antoine Coupland novi igrač HNK Rijeka: "Rijeka je odlično mjesto za moj razvoj"" [Antoine Coupland new player of HNK Rijeka: "Rijeka is a great place for my development"] (in Croatian). HNK Rijeka. February 6, 2022.
  39. "Rijeka dovela perspektivnog veznjaka iz Kanade: 'Krase ga odlična tehnika i sjajan pregled igre'" [Rijeka brought a promising midfielder from Canada : 'He has excellent technique and a great overview of the game']. Jutarnji list (in Croatian). February 6, 2022.
  40. "Rijeka dovela 18-godišnjaka iz Kanade. "Ovo je moj prvi profesionalni ugovor"" [Rijeka brought an 18-year-old from Canada. "This is my first professional contract"]. Index HR (in Croatian). February 6, 2022.
  41. O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (February 14, 2022). "Coupland's Croatia move further evidence of CPL development pathway: 'Opportunities are there to be taken'". Canadian Premier League.
  42. "Coupland: I've been training full time with the first team, and playing with the U19s". TSN 1200. May 20, 2022.
  43. "Zapisnik izvršenih registracija 10.03.2023" [Minutes of completed registrations 10.03.2023.] (PDF) (in Croatian). Croatian Football Federation. March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  44. "Whitecaps FC 2 sign BMO Academy product Mihail Gherasimencov, acquire Canadian midfielder Antoine Coupland". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. March 24, 2023.
  45. Frančišković, Denis (February 7, 2023). "Riječki junior Coupland poslan na posudbu i kaljenje u Vancouver" [Junior Coupland from Rijeka sent on loan and training in Vancouver]. Novi list (in Croatian).
  46. Jacques, John (February 8, 2023). "Rumour: Coupland Set For Loan Spell With Whitecaps". Northern Tribune.
  47. Jacques, John (March 27, 2023). "Former CPL Talents Shine In MLS Next Pro Opening Weekend". Northern Tribune.
  48. "Canada Soccer's Provisional List for the CONCACA Men's Under-20 Championship". Canadian Soccer Association. May 19, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  49. Antoine Coupland at Soccerway
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