Ottawa soccer player gets his debut on the international stage

Matteo de Brienne, of Ottawa, is seen in this supplied photo. (Courtesy: Matteo de Brienne)

Written by Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Emma Kelly

Ottawa’s Matteo de Brienne made his international debut with Canada Men’s National Soccer Team last Saturday.

The 23-year-old from Barrhaven was one of 20 athletes to represent Canada as the team had a 10-day training camp in preparation for the FIFA World Cup in June and July in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

The camp concluded on Saturday with a friendly match against Guatemala at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles where de Brienne made his debut in the 80th minute.

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“It was something I’ll cherish forever,” de Brienne told Newstalk 580 CFRAs Ottawa at Work with Patricia Boal. “I knew I wasn’t starting the game but being on the bench representing Canada and hearing the coach call my name was such a surreal moment.”

The Canadian squad has another training camp coming up in March with matches against Iceland and Tunisia before the roster for the FIFA World Cup is finalized.

“It is a big dream of mine,” de Brienne said in hopes of an opportunity to make the final roster.

The 20-man squad for the camp showcased some of Canada’s top players who play professional across the globe.

“I am used to seeing them through a screen but now being on the pitch with them, learning from them and speaking with them, it was a new experience.”

De Brienne is no stranger to Ottawa’s soccer scene. Playing for Ottawa South United while growing up, de Brienne signed his first professional contract with Atletico Ottawa at just 18 years old.

In 2021, the rising star went on to play for the Carleton Ravens, helping the team reach the U Sports Championship game on home soil at TAAG Park. He was named a OUA East Rookie of the Year and named to the U Sports All Rookie Team.

The following year, he signed with CPL’s Valour FC in Winnipeg where he played two seasons and eventually moved back to the capital to join Atletico Ottawa in 2024.

He made 75 appearances for Atletico Ottawa and Valour across all competitions, with six goals and five assists.

De Brienne was honoured as the Best Canadian U-21 Player in the CPL after his second season in the league in 2023.

In 2025, Atletico Ottawa sold the defender to Sweden’s GAIS for an undisclosed fee where he now plays in the Swedish Allsvenskan league on a five-year contract.

In his first season with the club, Matteo appeared in 21 matches with one goal and two assists.

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De Brienne is the first Carleton Ravens soccer player to play with the Canadian Men’s National team.

Atletico Ottawa’s Noah Abatneh (Toronto) was also called up to the Men’s National Team for the January training camp in California.

De Brienne joins a number of Canadian professional soccer players from the Ottawa area who have made an appearance with the Canadian men’s soccer team, including Jonathan David, Maxim Tissot, and Kris Twardek.