With Orlando entering the final stage of the season in MLS and chasing a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, Findlay explained that the 21-year-old decided he wanted to remain in Orlando to focus on his club duties, even if none of the upcoming games overlap — Canada plays Mauritania on Oct. 7 and Morocco on Oct. 11; Orlando’s last two games take place on Oct. 16 and 23.

“Cyle Larin was invited to this camp, and we obviously value Cyle’s participation and input in Canada’s success,” Findlay said in a teleconference with reporters Friday. “He has chosen to decline the invitation at this moment in time to focus on his club football and Orlando’s drive to the playoffs in the MLS. We’re certainly disappointed that he’s not there and that he did decline, but we certainly respect his decision.”

Larin’s absence will give an opportunity to newer players, such as the Montreal Impact’s Anthony Jackson-Hamel, who was called up for the first time. Marco Bustos (20), Jordan Hamilton (20), Fraser Aird (21), Samuel Piette (21), highlight some of the other young inclusions made by Findlay.

“Definitely the evolution was to move to a younger group of players,” Findlay said. “Organically that’s going to happen anyway, but moving into this first cap we definitely wanted to blend the group somewhat and we’re really excited about that part of it.”

As for some of the more veteran figures, Findlay said that after Canada’s recent exit from World Cup Qualifying, no player has come forward to announce his international retirement.

Team captain Julian de Guzman, who turns 36 next spring, is still keen on being involved but will miss the camp because of injury. Atiba Hutchinson, 33, also remains eager to represent Canada, but has decided to take some brief time off from international duty.

After falling out of favour with head coach Benito Floro, who stepped down earlier this month after Canada failed to reach the Hexagonal stage of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, Toronto FC midfielder Jonathan Osorio was called back to the side.  

Despite his omission from the previous cycle, Findlay insisted that Osorio is still regarded as an important player.

“Oso is no different than a number of other players who may not have participated in the last rotation, that doesn’t mean that Oso wasn’t seen as a valuable member of Canada and its future,” Findlay said. “And for me I’ve always had a great deal of respect for Oso and what he does. And so moving into the next rotation we’re going to give everybody an opportunity to stake their claim.”

CANADA’S ROSTER 1- GK- Simon Thomas | NOR / FK Bodo/Glimt 2- FB / M- Fraser Aird | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3- FB / M- Maxim Tissot | CAN / Ottawa Fury FC 4- CB- Manjrekar James | HUN / Vasas Budapest 5- CB- David Edgar | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC 6- CB- Doneil Henry | DEN / AC Horsens 7- F- Simeon Jackson | ENG / Walsall FC 8- M- Marco Bustos | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC 9- F- Marcus Haber 10- M- David Junior Hoilett 11- M- Tosaint Ricketts | CAN / Toronto FC 12- FB / M- Jamar Dixon | CAN / Ottawa Fury FC 13- M- Jonathan Osorio | CAN / Toronto FC 14- M- Samuel Piette | ESP / CD Izarra 15- M- Adam Straith | NOR / Fredrikstad FK 16- M- Scott Arfield | ENG / Burnley FC 17- FB- Marcel De Jong | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC 18- GK- Milan Borjan | BUL / PFK Ludogorets Razgrad 19- CB- Steven Vitoria | POL / Lechia Gdansk 20- CB / FB- Karl W. Ouimette | USA / Jacksonville Armada 21- M / F- Jordan Hamilton | CAN / Toronto FC 22- GK- Kenny Stamatopoulos | SWE / AIK Fotbol 23- M / F- Anthony Jackson-Hamel | CAN / Impact Montreal