Callum Irving Explained

Callum Irving
Fullname:Callum Ernest John Irving
Birth Date:16 March 1993
Birth Place:Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Height:1.86m
Position:Goalkeeper
Currentclub:Vancouver FC
Clubnumber:1
Youthyears1:1997–2007
Youthclubs1:Marpole SC
Youthyears2:2007–2009
Youthclubs2:Vancouver Selects
Youthyears3:2007–2012
Youthclubs3:Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Collegeyears1:2012–2015
College1:Kentucky Wildcats
Collegecaps1:58
Collegegoals1:0
Years1:2010–2011
Clubs1:Whitecaps Residency
Caps1:11
Goals1:0
Years2:2016
Clubs2:Rio Grande Valley Toros
Caps2:14
Goals2:0
Years3:2016
Clubs3:Houston Dynamo (loan)
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Years4:2017–2019
Clubs4:Ottawa Fury
Caps4:65
Goals4:0
Years5:2020–2022
Clubs5:Pacific FC
Caps5:57
Goals5:0
Years6:2023–
Clubs6:Vancouver FC
Caps6:38
Goals6:0
Nationalyears1:2011
Nationalteam1:Canada U18
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2012
Nationalteam2:Canada U20
Nationalcaps2:2
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2017–
Nationalteam3:Canada
Nationalcaps3:1
Nationalgoals3:0
Club-Update:June 26, 2024
Nationalteam-Update:January 22, 2017

Callum Ernest John Irving (born March 16, 1993) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Canadian Premier League club Vancouver FC.

He began his career playing for local clubs in Vancouver before joining the Whitecaps FC Academy in 2007. After attending the University of Kentucky, he went undrafted in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft and subsequently joined Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. After a short-term loan spell at Houston Dynamo, Irving joined Ottawa Fury in December 2016.

Irving has won a single cap with the Canada national team.

Club career

Youth and college

Irving began playing soccer at the age of four and spent 10 years with Marpole SC. He also played for the Vancouver Selects for two seasons, and represented the British Columbia provincial team at U16 level.[1]

In 2007, he joined the Whitecaps FC Academy and appeared for Premier Development League side Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 in 2010 and 2011.

Irving played four years of college soccer at the University of Kentucky between 2012 and 2015.[2] In his 2014 season, Irving was named NSCAA Third Team All-America, NSCAA First Team All-Southeast Region, Conference USA Player of the Year, Defensive MVP, Golden Glove and First Team All-Conference USA.

In his 2015 season, Irving was named NSCAA First Team All-America, NSCAA First Team All-Southeast Region and Conference USA Player of the Year, Conference USA Defensive MVP, Golden Glove, First Team All-Conference USA and set a Kentucky Wildcats record with 27 shut-outs.[3]

Rio Grande Valley Toros

On January 13, 2016, Irving signed a contract with Major League Soccer ahead of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, where he was expected to go early on in the draft.[4] However, Irving wasn't selected by any MLS team over the four rounds.[5] [6] He signed with United Soccer League side Rio Grande Valley FC Toros on March 26.[7]

On May 29, Irving made his debut in a 1–1 draw against Saint Louis FC.[8] He went on to make 14 appearances in his inaugural season, conceding nine goals and keeping eight shutouts.[9]

Houston Dynamo (loan)

On September 16, 2016, Irving was signed on a short-term loan by the Houston Dynamo, an affiliate club of Rio Grande Valley Toros.[10] Injuries to Tyler Deric and Calle Brown meant Irving was called in to act as backup to Joe Willis. On September 17, he was named as an unused substitute in a bloodless 1–0 affair against Real Salt Lake.[11]

Ottawa Fury

On December 6, 2016, Irving joined Ottawa Fury ahead of their first season in the United Soccer League.[12] He made his debut in a 3–2 defeat to Saint Louis FC on April 1, 2017, and went on to play in every minute of Ottawa's 2017 campaign, including all four Canadian Championship games.[13] In doing so, he set a franchise record for consecutive starts.[14] He was named Newcomer of the Year and Supporters Player of the Year at the end of the season after recording eight shutouts during the season.[15]

In November 2017, Irving re-signed with Ottawa for the 2018 season.[16] On April 14, 2018, his streak of consecutive starts came to an end after 38 games when he was named as an unused substitute in a 1–0 defeat to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.[17] Despite reports that Irving would not return after the 2018 season, it was later reported that he had re-signed for the 2019 season.[18] After three seasons with the Fury, the club would cease operations for the 2020 season, making Irving a free agent.[19]

Pacific FC

On February 19, 2020, Irving signed with Canadian Premier League side Pacific FC.[20] He made his debut for Pacific on August 25, saving a penalty while keeping a clean sheet in a 2–0 victory over Valour FC.[21] After backstopping Pacific to the 2021 CPL Championship, the club announced Irving would be returning to the team for the 2022 season.[22] In December 2022, Pacific announced Irving was departing the club.[23]

Vancouver FC

In December 2022, Irving was announced as Vancouver FC's first ever signing.[24] He made his debut in their inaugural match against Pacific FC on April 15, 2023.[25]

International career

Irving has been called for multiple camps with the Canadian U20 national team.[26] In January 2016, Irving earned his first call up to the Canada national team for a friendly against the United States.[27] He was an unused substitute as Canada suffered a 1–0 defeat.[28] On January 22, 2017, he made his senior international debut in 4–2 win over Bermuda.[29]

Personal life

Born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Irving attended David Lloyd George Elementary School, Sir Wilfrid Laurier Elementary School and Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School.

Honours

Club

Pacific FC

2021

Career statistics

ClubLeagueSeasonLeaguePlayoffsDomestic CupContinentalTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Rio Grande Valley FC TorosUSL201614000140
Houston Dynamo (loan)MLS2016000000
Ottawa FuryUSL201732040360
2018200020
USL Championship20193101040360
Total650108000740
Pacific FCCPL2020600060
20212502030300
2022260201040330
Total570404040690
Vancouver FCCPL202327010280
20241100010120
Total380002000400
Career total164050140401970

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Callum Irving. www.whitecapsfc.com. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. July 9, 2018.
  2. Web site: Callum Irving. www.ukathletics.com. University of Kentucky. https://web.archive.org/web/20150829013410/http://www.ukathletics.com/sport/m-soccer/2015/roster/559d919ce4b01c7eefd5faa8#. 2015-08-29. dead. July 9, 2018.
  3. Web site: Callum Irving. www.mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. July 9, 2018.
  4. News: Seniors Jonathan Campbell, Kyle Fisher, Todd Wharton and Callum Irving sign contracts ahead of MLS SuperDraft. January 13, 2016. Major League Soccer. July 9, 2018.
  5. News: 2016 Top 20 overlooked players by MLS. Nielsen. Aaron. February 7, 2016. Red Nation Online. July 9, 2018.
  6. News: Biggest snubs from the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. Parchman. Will. January 19, 2016. Top Drawer Soccer. July 9, 2018. en.
  7. News: Rio Grande Valley FC Toros sign six players. March 26, 2016. Houston Dynamo FC. July 9, 2018.
  8. Web site: Saint Louis FC 1–1 Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. May 29, 2016. www.uslsoccer.com. United Soccer League. en-us. July 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170614221453/http://www.uslsoccer.com/game/show/13218358. June 14, 2017. dead.
  9. Web site: Callum Irving. www.ottawafuryfc.com. Ottawa Fury FC. en-us. July 9, 2018.
  10. News: Houston Dynamo sign goalkeeper Callum Irving to Short Term Agreement. September 16, 2016. Houston Dynamo FC. July 9, 2018.
  11. Web site: Real Salt Lake 0–1 Houston Dynamo 1. Panizo. Franco. September 17, 2016. www.mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. July 9, 2018.
  12. News: Fury FC Signs Canadian Goalkeeper Irving. December 6, 2016. United Soccer League. July 9, 2018. en-us.
  13. Web site: Saint Louis FC 3–2 Ottawa Fury FC. April 1, 2017. www.uslsoccer.com. United Soccer League. en-us. July 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20171109081103/http://www.uslsoccer.com/saintlouisfc-ottawafuryfc-905455. November 9, 2017. dead.
  14. News: Irving 'dumbfounded' to explain Fury's season. Campbell. Don. October 8, 2017. Ottawa Sun. July 9, 2018. en-US.
  15. News: Fury FC players honoured at Annual Awards Gala. November 9, 2016. Ottawa Fury FC. July 9, 2018. en-us.
  16. News: Fury FC Roster Update. November 9, 2017. Ottawa Fury FC. July 9, 2018. en-us.
  17. Web site: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 1–0 Ottawa Fury FC. April 14, 2018. www.uslsoccer.com. United Soccer League. en-us. July 9, 2018.
  18. Web site: Canadian GK Callum Irving Back With Fury FC. Ottawa Fury FC. March 14, 2019. March 14, 2019.
  19. Web site: Fury owners blame 'politics' for decision to suspend operations. CBC Ottawa. November 8, 2019.
  20. Web site: Goalkeeper Callum Irving Signs with Pacific FC . Pacific FC . 19 February 2020 . 19 February 2020 . 21 February 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200221151630/https://pacificfc.canpl.ca/article/goalkeeper-callum-irving-signs-with-pacific-fc . dead .
  21. Web site: 2020-08-26. Pacific FC shine on a night of many firsts at The Island Games. 2020-08-27. Canadian Premier League. en-CA.
  22. Web site: Irving Returning for 2022 Season!. January 17, 2022.
  23. Web site: Callum Irving Departs Pacific FC. John. Jacques. December 8, 2022. Northern Tribune.
  24. Web site: Vancouver FC announces goalkeeper Callum Irving as first-ever signing. Canadian Premier League. December 14, 2022.
  25. Vancouver Football Club. vanfootballclub. 1647361769030160386. Announcing our first ever @CPLsoccer starting XI against @Pacificfccpl #WeAreVancouverFC #VancouverFC. July 1, 2021.
  26. Web site: Callum Irving. May 2, 2017. www.canadasoccer.com. Canada Soccer. June 2, 2016.
  27. News: Canadian soccer coach calls up 4 newcomers for U.S. camp. January 22, 2016. CBC News. July 9, 2018. en-US.
  28. News: USA 1-0 Canada: International friendly – as it happened. Echegaray. Luis Miguel. February 6, 2016. The Guardian. July 9, 2018. en-GB.
  29. News: Canada wins 4–2 over Bermuda to kick off 2017 campaign. January 22, 2017. Canada Soccer. July 9, 2018.