Lucas Cavallini

Lucas Daniel Cavallini (born December 28, 1992) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Liga MX club Puebla and the Canada national team.

Lucas Cavallini

Cavallini in 2018
Personal information
Full name	Lucas Daniel Cavallini[1]
Date of birth	(1992-12-28) December 28, 1992 (age 31)
Place of birth	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Puebla
Number	9
Youth career
	Club Uruguay Toronto
	Weston Wolves SC
	NY Hearts SC
	Clarkson Sheridan SC
2010–2012	Nacional
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2012–2015	Nacional	4	(0)
2012–2013	→ Juventud (loan)	25	(10)
2013–2015	→ Fénix (loan)	40	(16)
2015–2016	Fénix	36	(12)
2017–2018	Peñarol	16	(6)
2017–2018	→ Puebla (loan)	25	(13)
2018–2019	Puebla	50	(16)
2020–2022	Vancouver Whitecaps FC	63	(18)
2022	→ Whitecaps FC 2 (loan)	1	(0)
2023	Tijuana	24	(3)
2024–	Puebla	17	(6)
International career‡
2011	Canada U20	3	(1)
2012	Canada U23	3	(1)
2012–	Canada	40	(19)
Medal record Representing  Canada Men's soccer CONCACAF Nations League Runner-up 2023
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of April 30, 2023 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of July 9, 2023

Early life

Cavallini was born in Canada to an Argentine father and a Canadian mother.^[3] He played youth soccer in Canada with Club Uruguay, Weston Wolves SC, NY Hearts, and Clarkson Sheridan SC.^[4] He left Canada at age 16 and went to South America to develop his soccer talents. He began playing for Nacional's youth development squads in 2010 in Montevideo, Uruguay.^[5]

Club career

Nacional

In June 2011, he participated in the 2011 U-20 Copa Libertadores. In the first game, Nacional beat Libertad 1–0 with a goal by Romero. In the second match, they beat Jorge Wilstermann 3–1 with goals from Bueno, Marchelli and again Romero. In the third and final game, Nacional drew 0–0 with Universitario, and qualified for the quarterfinals. On June 20, they were defeated by Mexican side América 1–0, which led to their elimination.

His development in the youth squad lead him to sign a senior contract with the club in early 2012.

Loan to Juventud

In mid-July 2012, he was loaned to Juventud de Las Piedras to make his professional debut and have more chances in the first team.^[6] In his second match with the club, he scored his first official goal in the 1–0 home victory against Central Español.^[7] On October 7, he was the man of the match against Bella Vista, assisting and scoring a goal in his team's 2–0 victory.^[8] His third goal came six days later, in a 1–1 away draw against Fénix.^[9]

CA Fénix

After a slow start during his first season on loan with C.A. Fénix, Cavallini emerged as the club's most prolific goal scorer in the Apertura of the 2014–15 Uruguayan Primera División season. He joined them permanently before the start of the 2015 Apertura.

Peñarol

Cavallini joined Peñarol on January 10, 2017.^[10] He scored his first goal against Montevideo Wanderers on February 26. He was loaned to Liga MX side Puebla on August 31, 2017.

Puebla

Cavallini was loaned to Liga MX side Puebla on August 31, 2017, becoming the first Canadian to play in Mexico's top tier since Isidro Sánchez Macip in 2010.^[11] He debuted for the club against Cruz Azul on September 9, coming on in the 64th minute for Félix Micolta in a 0–0 draw. He scored his first goal for Puebla against Necaxa on September 16. After scoring 13 goals in 25 matches for Puebla in the 2017–18 season, the club would sign him to a four-year contract in June 2018.^[12]

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

In December 2019, Puebla and Major League Soccer side Vancouver Whitecaps FC agreed to a transfer, with Cavallini signing a three-year deal with the club ahead of the 2020 MLS season.^[13][14] He made his debut in Vancouver's season-opening 3–1 loss to Sporting Kansas City on March 1, 2020.^[15] Cavallini scored his first regular-season goal for Vancouver on September 6, netting the opener in a 3–2 victory over Toronto FC^[16] In August 2022, he joined Whitecaps FC 2 on loan for a match in MLS Next Pro.^[17]

Tijuana

In February 2023, Cavallini returned to Mexico and signed with Tijuana.^[18] On February 10 he made his debut for Xolos against Atlético San Luis, coming on as a substitute in an eventual 1-0 victory.^[19] Cavallini scored his first goal for Xolos on March 3 against Atlas.^[20]

International career

Cavallini with Canada in 2015

Cavallini launched his international career for Canada at 18 years old, debuting for the U-20 team in 2011 during the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Guatemala.^[21] Cavallini earned three call-ups to Canada's U-23 National team.

Cavallini's performance, along with the fact that he "plays in a different type of league (down in Uruguay)", according to head coach Stephen Hart, earned him his first call up to the senior roster to face Trinidad & Tobago in a friendly match on August 13, 2012.^[22][23] Cavallini debuted for Canada as a second-half substitute for Terry Dunfield against Trinidad, a 2–0 victory.^[24]

Cavallini made his World Cup qualifying debut in Canada's 8–1 loss to Honduras. Following that match, he declined a call-up from interim coach Colin Miller for the 2013 Gold Cup, citing personal reasons.^[25] Then coach Benito Floro gave an interview in October 2014 where he elaborated on Cavallini, saying that he had reached out to the player and had not heard back from him. Floro however pointed out that there is a place in the team for him in the future.^[26] In May 2015, Cavallini stated in an interview with Tenfield that he regretted becoming cap-tied to Canada.^[27][28]

Despite his comments, Cavallini was called up to face Ghana in an October 2015 friendly.^[29] In an interview regarding his return to the national team, Cavallini stated that he did not say he would never play for Les Rouges again, and that his comments were wrongly translated. He mentioned that his lack of appearances were related to personal matters and timing including the birth of his daughter.^[30]

Cavallini was named to the Canadian 40-man provisional team for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup by Canada coach Octavio Zambrano on June 6, 2017.^[31] He was confirmed as part of the final 23-man squad on June 27.^[32]

Cavallini scored his first goals for Canada on September 9, 2018, netting a brace in an 8–0 victory over the U.S. Virgin Islands in a CONCACAF Nations League qualifier.^[33] On May 30, 2019, Cavallini was named to the final squad for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.^[34] He scored a hat-trick in a 7–0 win over Cuba during the group stage on June 23, and had a chance to score his fourth goal from a penalty spot, but his panenka went over the crossbar.^[35] On March 29, 2021, Cavallini scored his second hat-trick with Canada, as a substitute, in an 11–0 win over Cayman Islands in the team's second 2022 World Cup qualifying match.^[36]

In July 2021 Cavallini was named to the Canadian squad for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.^[37] In November 2022, Cavallini was called-up to Canada's 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.^[38] He made one appearance for Canada in Qatar, in Canada's second match on November 27 against Croatia.^[39]

In June 2023, Cavallini was named to the final 23-man squad for Canada ahead of the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals.^[40] On June 19, he was named to the squad for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.^[41]

Honours

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

• Canadian Championship: 2022

Career statistics

Club

As of match played April 30, 2023^[42]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup[a]		Continental[b]		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Nacional	2013–14	Uruguayan Primera División	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
Juventud (loan)	2012–13	Uruguayan Primera División	25	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	25	10
Fénix (loan)	2013–14	Uruguayan Primera División	13	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	13	2
	2014–15		27	14	0	0	0	0	0	0	27	14
	Total		40	16	0	0	0	0	0	0	40	16
Fénix	2015–16	Uruguayan Primera División	25	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	25	7
	2016		11	5	0	0	2	0	0	0	13	5
	Total		36	12	0	0	2	0	0	0	38	12
Peñarol	2017	Uruguayan Primera División	16	6	0	0	1	0	0	0	17	6
Puebla (loan)	2017–18	Liga MX	25	13	1	0	0	0	0	0	26	13
Puebla	2018–19	Liga MX	33	11	4	1	0	0	0	0	37	12
	2019–20		17	5	1	0	0	0	0	0	18	5
	Total		75	29	6	1	0	0	0	0	81	30
Vancouver Whitecaps FC	2020	MLS	18	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	18	6
	2021		21	3	0	0	0	0	1[c]	0	22	3
	2022		24	9	4	0	0	0	0	0	28	9
	Total		63	18	4	0	0	0	1	0	68	18
Whitecaps FC 2 (loan)	2022	MLS Next Pro	1	0	—		—		—		18	6
Tijuana	2022–23	Liga MX	12	2	—		—		—		12	2
Career total			272	94	10	1	3	0	1	0	286	95

Notes

1. Includes Copa MX
2. Includes Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana
3. Appearance in MLS Cup Playoffs

International

As of match played July 9, 2023^[2]

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Canada	2012	2	0
	2013	0	0
	2014	0	0
	2015	1	0
	2016	0	0
	2017	4	0
	2018	3	3
	2019	7	8
	2020	0	0
	2021	11	5
	2022	7	2
	2023	5	1
Total		40	19

As of June 27, 2023^[43]

Scores and results list Canada's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Cavallini goal.

List of international goals scored by Lucas Cavallini

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	September 9, 2018	IMG Academy, Bradenton, United States	8	U.S. Virgin Islands	2–0	8–0	2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League qualification
2					5–0
3	October 16, 2018	BMO Field, Toronto, Canada	9	Dominica	3–0	5–0	2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League qualification
4	March 24, 2019	BC Place, Vancouver, Canada	11	French Guiana	2–1	4–1	2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League qualification
5[a]					4–1
6	June 20, 2019	Broncos Stadium at Mile High, Denver, United States	13	Mexico	1–2	1–3	2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup
7	June 23, 2019	Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, United States	14	Cuba	2–0	7–0	2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup
8					3–0
9					4–0
10	June 29, 2019	NRG Stadium, Houston, United States	15	Haiti	2–0	2–3	2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup
11	October 15, 2019	BMO Field, Toronto, Canada	16	United States	2–0	2–0	2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League A
12	March 29, 2021	IMG Academy, Bradenton, United States	19	Cayman Islands	8–0	11–0	2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
13					10–0
14					11–0
15	June 5, 2021	IMG Academy, Bradenton, United States	20	Aruba	1–0	7–0	2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
16					3–0
17	June 9, 2022	BC Place, Vancouver, Canada	32	Curaçao	4–0	4–0	2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League A
18	November 17, 2022	Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates	34	Japan	2–1	2–1	Friendly
19	June 27, 2023	BMO Field, Toronto, Canada	37	Guadeloupe	1–1	2–2	2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Notes

1. This is credited in certain sources as an own goal; however, the header by Cavallini was on target and parried by Jean-Beaunel Petit-Homme, the Guianan keeper, into his net, therefore should stand as a second goal for Cavallini.^[44]

References

1. "40-Player National Team Roster: 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup: Canada" (PDF). CONCACAF. p. 2. Retrieved May 20, 2019 – via Bernews.
2. "Lucas Cavallini". Canada Soccer. January 28, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
3. "Lucas Cavallini: An Argentinian-Canadian Mix". June 17, 2019.
4. "Canada Soccer announces squad for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022". Canadian Soccer Association. November 12, 2022.
5. "Pasión Tricolor conversó con el Juvenil de 3º y 4º – Lucas Cavallini". elnacional.com.uy (in Spanish). November 7, 2011. Archived from the original on December 21, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
6. "No te me quedes". pordeciralgo.com.uy (in Spanish). July 26, 2012. Archived from the original on April 21, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2012.
7. "Marche un canadiense". quenonino.com.uy (in Spanish). September 2, 2012. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
8. "Juventud 2 : 0 Bella Vista". laoraldeportiva.com.uy (in Spanish). October 7, 2012. Retrieved October 7, 2012.
9. "Sin diferencias". ovaciondigital.com.uy (in Spanish). October 13, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
10. "Matías Mier y Lucas Cavallini son nuevos jugadores de Peñarol". teledoce.com. Teledoce. January 10, 2017.
11. "Lucas Cavallini joins Liga MX side Puebla FC". rednationonline.ca. Red Nation Online.
12. Julio Sanchez (June 14, 2018). "Lucas Cavallini renueva por cuatro años con Puebla". Sexenio.
13. "Whitecaps FC acquire marquee Canadian striker Lucas Cavallini on club-record transfer fee". whitecapsfc.com. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. December 16, 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
14. "Whitecaps sign Canadian striker Lucas Cavallini to 3-year deal". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The Canadian Press. December 16, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
15. "Debuting Pulido and Kinda help Sporting KC drops Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1". March 1, 2020.
16. Romero, Jose (September 6, 2020). "Vancouver Whitecaps 3, Toronto FC 2 - 2020 MLS Match Recap".
17. "Preview: Cavallini set to suit up as WFC2 take on St. Louis CITY2 at Swangard Stadium". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. August 12, 2022.
18. "Lucas Cavallini: Nuevo refuerzo Xoloitzcuintle". February 1, 2023.
19. "¡Regresa el triunfo a Tijuana!". February 10, 2023.
20. Galindo, Peter (March 6, 2023). "Galindo: Canadians Abroad Roundup – Jonathan David putting Premier League teams on high alert". Canadian Soccer Daily.
21. Lucas Cavallini at the Canadian Soccer Association
22. "New faces aplenty on CanMNT's friendly roster". Canadian Soccer News. August 10, 2012. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
23. "New faces headline Canada's 18-man roster against Trinidad". CBC Sports (cbc.ca). August 10, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
24. Canadian Press (August 15, 2012). "Ricketts leads Canada to 2–0 Win over T&T". Rogers Sportsnet. Toronto. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
25. "Gold Cup roster: Hutchinson and Hainault forced to say no, Cavallini rejects invite". Edmonton. June 25, 2013. Archived from the original on December 8, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
26. "Red Nation Interview Series: Benito Floro". rednationonline.ca. Toronto: Red Nation Online. October 21, 2014.
27. Surridge, Grant (May 20, 2015). "Lucas Cavallini on Canada: I regret my decision a lot". Canadian Soccer News.
28. Olascuaga, Joselo (May 18, 2015). "Lucas Cavallini: jugador de la etapa". Tenfield (in Spanish).
29. Bottjer, Steve (October 2, 2015). "CanMNT names squad for October friendly against Ghana". rednationonline.ca. Red Nation Online.
30. Squizzato, Daniel (October 12, 2015). "New man? Forward Lucas Cavallini finally goes all-in for Canada ahead of Ghana game". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer.
31. Tierney, Mitchell (June 6, 2017). "Cavallini, Davies & Arfield highlight Canada's 40-man provisional Gold Cup roster". wakingthered.com. Waking The Red.
32. Zeitlin, Dave (June 27, 2017). "Canada names nine MLS players to 23-man CONCACAF Gold Cup roster". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer.
33. "Canada cruises to record win in Concacaf Nations League opener". sportsnet.ca. Sports Net. September 9, 2018.
34. "Together We Rise: Canada Soccer announces squad for the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup". canadasoccer.com. Canada Soccer. May 30, 2019.
35. "Cavallini, David hat tricks lead Canada past Cuba in Gold Cup". tsn.ca. The Sports Network. June 23, 2019.
36. "Canadian men set scoring record, crushing Cayman Islands 11-0 in World Cup qualifier". collingwoodtoday.ca. March 29, 2021.
37. "CANADA SOCCER ANNOUNCES 2021 CONCACAF GOLD CUP ROSTER". July 1, 2021.
38. O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (November 13, 2022). "Canada announces 26-man squad for 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar". Canadian Premier League.
39. "Canada's World Cup hopes over following loss to Croatia". November 27, 2022.
40. Tierney, Mitchell (June 7, 2023). "Former CPLers Loturi, Zator called up by Canada for 2023 Concacaf Nations League Finals". Canadian Premier League.
41. O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (June 19, 2023). "CanMNT announces final 23-man squad for Concacaf Gold Cup". Canadian Premier League.
42. "Lucas Cavallini profile". Soccerway. October 31, 2018.
43. "Cavallini, Lucas". National Football Teams. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
44. Boehm, Charles. "Canada 4, French Guiana 1 - 2019 Concacaf Nations League Qualifier Recap". MLS Soccer.

External links

• Lucas Cavallini at the Canadian Soccer Association
• Lucas Cavallini at Soccerway