Tani Oluwaseyi’s great beginning has brought benefits.
With four goals being the most by any player in just 290 minutes this season, the Minnesota United forward has attracted attention from national articles and has been discussed as a potential addition to the Canadian men’s national team.
When Loons goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair joined the Canadian team for the Concacaf Nations League in mid-March, Oluwaseyi had scored one goal and provided two assists. It was at this time that interim head coach Mauro Biello showed interest in Oluwaseyi.
“(Biello) asked me a bit about it — just early discussions,” St. Clair said. “Obviously, he is only the interim. Who knows what will happen with that? I think if (Oluwaseyi) continues to perform like that, he’s definitely getting noticed by those around.”
Oluwaseyi, who was born in Nigeria and moved to Ontario in 2010, expressed that it’s flattering to be considered in such a way.
“It means you are doing something right,” Oluwaseyi said. “I always welcome my name in conversations like that. Again, I don’t want to get too ahead of myself. I think whatever is meant to be will be. I just leave that in God’s hands. Whatever his purpose for me will kind of come true. I can only do my part on this side. I'll continue performing with the team.”
Oluwaseyi, who also leads with 2.9 expected goals this season, is enjoying the journey, but feels that any early talk about him being a potential MLS all-star is premature.
“Way too early,” Oluwaseyi said. “I think right now I’m just taking it game-by-game, whatever comes. There are going to be games I don’t score but as long as I can help the team out in other ways, I will do that, too.”
It would be quite a leap for 23-year-old Oluwaseyi to join Canada’s senior team for the Copa America tournament in June. Another possible option would have been the Under-23 team, but the Canadians failed to qualify for the Summer Olympics in Paris.
