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Fil-Canadian to play for PH in World Cup qualifiers

Michael Baldisimo is suiting up for the Philippine national football team for the World Cup qualifiers against Iraq.

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Steve Angeles

TFC News

Fil-Canadian Michael Baldisimo is suiting up for the Philippine national football team for the World Cup qualifiers against Iraq.The 23-year-old will be the first football player from Major League Soccer to represent the Philippines in international play.Baldisimo is playing with his brother Matthew, who is currently with York United in the Canadian Premier League. “It’s really exciting,” said Baldisimo. “We’ve played on the same team before. It&#x27;s just not the same because it wasn’t professionally. “I know both parents are really proud of us to be representing their home country.”Baldisimo spent his first four professional MLS seasons playing for his hometown Vancouver Whitecaps. He was then signed by the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2022 re-entry draft. He said he takes pride in being one of the few Filipino faces in Major League Soccer. “I didn’t really think it was that big of a deal until now,” said Baldisimo. “I’ve been kind of getting a bunch of messages and I just didn’t know how big a part I played by being Filipino.”Among those proud of Baldisimo getting the Philippines call up is the Quakes’ communications director Ryan Maquiñana.“It’s going to be interesting how Michael gels with the team,” the Fil-Am said. “It&#x27;s going to be his first time down there and meeting everyone. So, you have that aspect of it but on the field he’s an excellent midfielder, very versatile. He can recover the ball but he can also create chances.”Baldisimo has vowed to give his all when he hits the field.“You can expect us playing our hearts out,” he added, “leaving everything on the field. We want to fight for this country, we want to give it our all. That&#x27;s what I can promise you guys.”The Philippines-Iraq match is happening on Thursday in Basra, Iraq before coming back to the Philippines for the return leg on March 26 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.

Michael Baldisimo is suiting up for the Philippine national football team for the World Cup qualifiers against Iraq.

Fil-Canadian Michael Baldisimo to play for PH in World Cup qualifiers

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Fil-Canadian Michael Baldisimo to play for PH in World Cup qualifiers

Steve Angeles,

TFC News

Published March 21, 2024 07:25 PM PHT

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Filipino Canadian

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Michael Baldisimo

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