by J-P Gencey
jp@canucks-abroad.com

From the shadows of the Andes to the foot of the Rockies, the contingent of young Canadians in Latin America continues to grow rapidly.

There was a time not too long ago where the presence of Canadians in Latin America was almost non-existent. But thanks to a shift in demographics and immigration, aswell as the globalization of the worlds game, Canadians are sure to maintain a presence in the land of Futbol.

Isidro Sanchez-Macip and Alex Martinez fly the maple leaf in Mexico. Recently capped at the U23 level, Sanchez has been a member of the first team at Puebla for almost 2 years. The '87 born forward will be one to watch as Puebla have solidified themselves as a legitimate Primera side. Young defender Alex Martinez joined the Atlas youth academy after success as a member of the BC Provincial teams. The '89 born youngster will be elgible to represent Canada at the 2009 U20 World Cup while looking to earn his first pro contract.

Michael Abusabal is another '89 born player looks like to break into the professional ranks. After living in Peru since the age of 9, Abusabal was selected to the Canadian U15 team in 2004 and returned to Canada to train at the NTC in Ontario during the 2006 calendar year. He is now with the Deportivo Municipal U20 squad.

In Chile, Carols Rivas Jr. looks to forge his own identity. The son of former Colo-Colo and World Cup star Carlos Rivas, the younger Rivas has a big name to live up to. After starting in the Cruz Azul system in Mexico, the '85 born Carlos joined Chilean Primera side La Serena and earned playing time during the 2006 season. However, time on the field was limited in 2007 and he accepted a transfer to Primera B side Municipal Iquique.

Three Canadians chase their dreams in Argentina. Former U20 ('87) midfielder Manny Gomez of Victoria is currently under contract at Primera C (4th Division) side Barracas Bolivar of Buenos Aires. Nico Aravana is a Toronto-area, '90 born youngster who recently joined the youth academy of Primera side Rosario Central. And the nephew of Diego Maradona - Jorge Maradona has decided to follow in his uncles footsteps as he trains with Argentino Jrs. Jorge lived in Toronto from the ages of 3 to 12 while his father Lalo played semi-pro soccer with numerous teams in the CPSL/CSL.

Uruguay - the cradle of soccer - is where Montreal native Fabian Troche lives soccer 24/7 as he fights for a shot at a pro career. After joining the Defensor Sporting youth academy in 2006, Fabian ('90 born) recently moved to Rampla Juniors, a smaller club in the Primera where he hopes to soon break into the first team.

A few players to look out for in the near future are a group of 5 Ottawa-raised youngsters who have been invited to Brasil to train with 3rd Division side Nacional of Sao Paolo. Good luck to Zachary Drake, Kevin Johnson, Damien Merette, Robert Murphy and Eric Van Roosmalen.