Matthew Baldisimo
Matthew Baldisimo (born January 20, 1998) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Canadian Premier League club Pacific FC. Early life. Baldisimo was born in Vancouver to Samuel Baldisimo and Mely Otucan, both of whom are Filipinos from Roxas, Capiz. He grew up in neighboring Burnaby. He began playing soccer at age four with Wesburn YSC. Baldisimo later played for fellow Burnaby clubs South Burnaby Metro and Burnaby Selects. His brothers Michael and Mark are also soccer players, both of whom are in the Vancouver Whitecaps system. Club career. Whitecaps FC 2. Baldisimo  signed with Whitecaps FC 2 on February 23, 2016. Baldisimo, along with fellow Whitecaps Academy products Kadin Chung and Thomas Gardner were praised during the club's USL playoff run in the 2016 USL season In December 2016, Whitecaps FC 2 announced that Baldisimo would return to the club for the 2017 season. In May 2017, Baldisimo was named to the Whitecaps roster for the 2017 Canadian Championship on a short-term contract. He would spend three seasons with Whitecaps FC 2 before the club ceased operations after the 2017 season. Fresno FC. In December 2017, Baldisimo signed with Whitecaps  USL affiliate Fresno FC. He went on to make three appearances for the club that season. Pacific FC. On January 15, 2019 Baldisimo signed with Canadian Premier League side Pacific FC. That year, he made 22 appearances for the club, including 21 starts. The following year, he started in all ten of Pacific's matches during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. On October 29, 2020, Baldisimo signed a new deal with Pacific, keeping him for the 2021 season. International career. At the international level, Baldisimo is eligible to represent Canada by birth and the Philippines through parentage. Canada. In 2013 , Baldisimo represented Canada at the Cope de Naciones sub-15 and participated in two other U-15 national team camps that year. In 2014, he played for the under-17 team for the first time at the Montaigu Tournament, and also played at the Copa de Naciones sub-16 later that year. Baldisimo subsequently captained Canada at the 2015 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, making four appearances and scoring in his competitive debut against Haiti. Philippines. On May 13, 2021, Baldisimo received his first call-up to the Philippines national team ahead of three 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against China, the Maldives, and Guam . However, he failed to make an appearance due to a registration and eligibility issue. In November 2021 Baldisimo was initially called-up to the Azkals squad for the re-scheduled 2020 AFF Championship but had to withdraw due to injury. Honours. Club. Pacific FC