Antoine Coupland Explained

Antoine Coupland
Birth Date:12 December 2003
Birth Place:Chelsea, Quebec, Canada
Height:1.73m
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Whitecaps FC 2
Clubnumber:43
Youthclubs1:CS des Collines
Youthyears2:2014–2019
Youthclubs2:Ottawa St. Anthony
Youthyears3:2022–2023
Youthclubs3:Rijeka
Years1:2019
Clubs1:Ottawa Fury FC
Caps1:3
Goals1:0
Years2:2020–2021
Clubs2:Atlético Ottawa
Caps2:18
Goals2:2
Years3:2022–2023
Clubs3:Rijeka
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Years4:2023–
Clubs4:Whitecaps FC 2
Caps4:28
Goals4:2
Club-Update:April 7, 2024

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.

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. He joined Ottawa St. Anthony SC's Futuro Soccer Academy program at age 11.[3] [4] When he was 14, he was invited to join the Montreal Impact Academy, but declined, due to feeling too young to move.[5] In July 2019, he was set to go on trial with English club Sheffield United,[6] but turned down the opportunity to instead sign a professional contract with his hometown team, Ottawa Fury.[7]

Club career

In July 2019, Coupland signed his first professional contract with Ottawa Fury FC of the USL Championship at age 15.[8] [9] 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.[10] [11] 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.[12]

In March 2020, Coupland signed with new Canadian Premier League side Atlético Ottawa.[13] [14] He became the team's second-ever signing and first local player.[15] [16] However, his debut was ultimately delayed as the beginning of the season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] He made his debut on August 19 against Valour FC.[18] 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.[19] In January 2021, he re-signed with the club for the 2021 season.[20] [21] [22] On July 11, 2021, Coupland scored his first professional goal, netting the second against Cavalry FC in a 2–0 victory.[23] [24] [25] [26] He scored his first home goal on October 24, 2021, against York United FC.[27] [28] [29] He departed the club, following the season.[30] Over his time with Atlético Ottawa, he scored two goals in eighteen appearances.[31]

In November 2021, Coupland announced he was going on trial with clubs in Europe,[32] [33] upon turning 18, as it was his dream to play in Europe.[34] He first went on trial with clubs in Portugal and Germany.[35] 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.[36]

In February 2022, Coupland signed with Croatian First Football League side HNK Rijeka.[37] [38] [39] He began playing with the U19 team, but quickly began training with the first team.[40] [41] In March 2023, he terminated his contract by mutual consent.[42]

In 2023, he joined MLS Next Pro side Whitecaps FC 2.[43] Initially reported to be a loan with a purchase option,[44] [45] after he terminated his contract with Rijeka, it was instead a permanent deal. He scored on his debut on March 26 against Portland Timbers 2.[46]

International career

In May 2022, Coupland was named to the 60-man provisional Canadian U-20 team for the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.[47]

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeaguePlayoffsDomestic CupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Ottawa Fury2019USL Championship30000030
Atlético Ottawa2020CPL3030
202115210162
Total182001000192
HNK Rijeka2022–23Croatian Football League00000000
Whitecaps FC 22023MLS Next Pro26200262
2024200020
Total282000000282
Career total494001000504

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chelsea soccer player signs with Atletico Ottawa. CTV News. March 5, 2020.
  2. News: Le meilleur des deux mondes. The best of both worlds. fr. June 5, 2020. La Plume Étudiante de l’Outaouais. Mirantsoa. Andriamihamisoa. 4.
  3. Web site: Le soir où je suis devenu joueur de soccer professionnel… à 15 ans. The night I became a professional soccer player… at 15. fr. August 26, 2019. Ici Radio-Canada Télé. Kim. Vallière.
  4. Web site: 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. fr. June 18, 2019. Jonathan. Jobin. Ici Radio-Canada Télé.
  5. Web site: Atlético Ottawa’s 16-year-old phenom Antoine Coupland. Daniel. Rainbird. October 29, 2020. Ottawa Life Magazine.
  6. Web site: Young midfielder set for 2 week trial with Sheffield United. June 19, 2019. Sport Witness.
  7. Web site: Fury 15-year-old wunderkind shouldering lofty expectations. Ottawa Sportspages. August 27, 2019. Stuart. Miller-Davis.
  8. Web site: Atlético Ottawa’s Antoine Coupland is a top teenage prospect: The Next Gen. December 22, 2020. Canadian Premier League. Marty. Thompson.
  9. Web site: Former Atlético Ottawa midfielder Antoine Coupland linked with loan move to Vancouver Whitecaps: report. Aaron. Mathew. February 8, 2023. Canadian Soccer Daily.
  10. Web site: Meet Antoine Coupland, Ottawa's teen soccer prodigy . . 31 January 2020 . 27 July 2019.
  11. Web site: Atlético Ottawa’s Antoine Coupland chats soccer with St. Anthony Futuro Academy Players. May 20, 2020. Canadian Premier League.
  12. Web site: 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. fr. July 23, 2019. Ici Radio-Canada Télé. Kim. Vallière.
  13. Web site: Atlético Ottawa adds 16-year-old local phenom Antoine Coupland . . 5 March 2020 . 5 March 2020.
  14. Web site: Atletico Ottawa Signs 16-Year-Old Antoine Coupland. March 5, 2020. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.
  15. Web site: Antoine Coupland, premier joueur local de l’Atlético. Antoine Coupland, Atlético's first local player. fr. March 5, 2020. Le Droit. Jean-François. Plante.
  16. Web site: Teenage midfielder Antoine Coupland is Atlético Ottawa’s second signing. Global News. Neil. Davidson. March 5, 2020.
  17. Web site: COVID-19 : Coupland heureux malgré tout en Espagne. March 12, 2020. Le Droit. fr. COVID-19: Coupland happy despite everything in Spain. Jean-François. Plante.
  18. Web site: Second-half onslaught lifts Valour FC over 10-men Atlético Ottawa. Charlie. O'Connor-Clarke. August 19, 2020. Canadian Premier League.
  19. Web site: Teenage midfielder Antoine Coupland reflects on his first season with Atlético Ottawa. October 14, 2020. Ottawa Sportspages. Ethan. Diamandas.
  20. Web site: Atlético Ottawa re-signs Canadian midfielder Antoine Coupland. Charlie. O'Connor-Clarke. January 21, 2021. Canadian Premier League.
  21. Web site: Atletico Ottawa Re-Signs Teenager Antoine Coupland. January 25, 2021. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.
  22. Web site: Atletico Ottawa brings back local midfielder Antoine Coupland. January 25, 2021. Montreal Gazette.
  23. Web site: Un premier but chez les professionnels pour Antoine Coupland. A first professional goal for Antoine Coupland. fr. Ismaël. Sy. July 12, 2021. Ici Radio-Canada Télé.
  24. Web site: Coupland marque son premier but professionnel. July 12, 2022. fr. Coupland scores his first professional goal. Le Droit. Jean-François. Plante.
  25. Web site: Coupland scores!. July 30, 2022. The Low Down. Stuart. Benson.
  26. Web site: Coupland’s First (of many). July 12, 2021. Atlético Ottawa.
  27. Web site: Local Antoine Coupland scores first goal at home stadium as Atletico Ottawa plays to 1-1 draw. October 24, 2021. Ottawa Sun.
  28. Web site: Coupland marque à la Place TD. Coupland scores at TD Place. October 24, 2021. fr. Le Droit. Jean-François. Plante.
  29. Web site: Antoine Coupland strikes at home. November 4, 2021. Atlético Ottawa.
  30. Web site: Le noyau de l’Atlético de retour, mais pas Coupland. The core of Atlético back, but not Coupland. fr. January 13, 2022. Le Droit. Jean-François. Plante.
  31. Web site: Antoine Coupland Joins HNK Rijeka. February 6, 2022. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.
  32. Web site: Antoine Coupland s’envole vers l’Europe. Antoine Coupland flies to Europe. fr. November 15, 2021. Le Droit. Sylvain. St-Laurent.
  33. Web site: Coupland Set For Trial Period Abroad: ‘I’m Betting On Myself’. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques. November 15, 2021.
  34. Web site: Trop peu, trop tard pour Coupland?. Too little, too late for Coupland?. October 29, 2021. fr. Le Droit. Jean-François. Plante.
  35. Web site: Un contrat en Croatie pour Antoine Coupland : " Mon rêve de jeunesse ". A contract in Croatia for Antoine Coupland: “My childhood dream”. fr. February 6, 2022. Charles. Lalande. Ici Radio-Canada Télé.
  36. Web site: Coupland amorce une carrière européenne en Croatie. Coupland begins European career in Croatia. fr. February 6, 2022. Le Droit. Jean-François. Plante.
  37. Web site: 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" . February 6, 2022 . HNK Rijeka. Croatian.
  38. Web site: 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'. Croatian. February 6, 2022. Jutarnji list.
  39. Web site: 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". Croatian. February 6, 2022. Index HR.
  40. Web site: Coupland’s Croatia move further evidence of CPL development pathway: ‘Opportunities are there to be taken’. February 14, 2022. Canadian Premier League. Charlie. O'Connor-Clarke.
  41. Web site: Coupland: I've been training full time with the first team, and playing with the U19s. TSN 1200. May 20, 2022.
  42. Web site: https://hns-cff.hr/files/documents/26884/registracije%2010.03.2023.[37409.pdf Zapisnik izvršenih registracija 10.03.2023]. Minutes of completed registrations 10.03.2023.. Croatian Football Federation. Croatian. 10 March 2023. 11 March 2023.
  43. Web site: Whitecaps FC 2 sign BMO Academy product Mihail Gherasimencov, acquire Canadian midfielder Antoine Coupland. March 24, 2023. Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
  44. Web site: Riječki junior Coupland poslan na posudbu i kaljenje u Vancouver. Junior Coupland from Rijeka sent on loan and training in Vancouver. February 7, 2023. Denis. Frančišković. Novi list. Croatian.
  45. Web site: Rumour: Coupland Set For Loan Spell With Whitecaps. February 8, 2023. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.
  46. Web site: Former CPL Talents Shine In MLS Next Pro Opening Weekend. March 27, 2023. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.
  47. Web site: Canada Soccer's Provisional List for the CONCACA Men's Under-20 Championship. . 19 May 2022 . 19 May 2022.