Raheem Edwards
{{Short description|Canadian soccer player (born 1995)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Raheem Edwards
| image = File:Raheem Edwards.jpg
| image_size = 225
| caption = Edwards with Toronto FC in 2017
| fullname = Raheem Nathaniel Anfernee Edwards{{cite web |url=http://cloudfront.bernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2019_Concacaf_Gold_Cup_Preliminary_Lists_May_20.pdf |title=40-Player National Team Roster: 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup: Canada |publisher=CONCACAF |page=2 |access-date=May 20, 2019 |via=Bernews}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|7|17}}
| birth_place = Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| height = {{convert|1.72|m|abbr=on}}{{Cite web |title=Raheem Edwards |url=https://www.lagalaxy.com/players/raheem-edwards/ |access-date=August 20, 2022 |publisher=LA Galaxy}}
| position = Midfielder, Full back
| currentclub = New York Red Bulls
| clubnumber = 44
| youthyears1 = 2004–2013
| youthclubs1 = Erin Mills SC
| youthyears2 = 2014
| youthclubs2 = Toronto FC
| collegeyears1 = 2014–2015
| college1 = Sheridan Bruins
| years1 = 2014
| clubs1 = Internacional de Toronto
| years2 = 2014
| clubs2 = ANB Futbol
| years3 = 2015–2017
| clubs3 = Toronto FC II
| caps3= 42
| goals3 = 8
| years4 = 2016
| clubs4 = → Toronto FC (loan)
| caps4 = 1
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2017
| clubs5 = Toronto FC
| caps5 = 21
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2018
| clubs6 = Montreal Impact
| caps6 = 14
| goals6 = 2
| years7 = 2018–2019
| clubs7 = Chicago Fire
| caps7 = 17
| goals7 = 2
| years8 = 2020
| clubs8 = Minnesota United FC
| caps8 = 12
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2021
| clubs9 = Los Angeles FC
| caps9 = 27
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2021
| clubs10 = → Las Vegas Lights (loan)
| caps10= 1
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2022–2023
| clubs11 = LA Galaxy
| caps11 = 60
| goals11 = 3
| years12 = 2024
| clubs12 = CF Montréal
| caps12 = 25
| goals12 = 0
| years13 = 2025–
| clubs13 = New York Red Bulls
| caps13 = 7
| goals13 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2015–2016
| nationalteam1 = Canada U23
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 2
| nationalyears2 = 2017–2022
| nationalteam2 = Canada
| nationalcaps2 = 5
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| club-update = May 3, 2025
| nationalteam-update = November 11, 2022
}}
Raheem Nathaniel Anfernee Edwards (born July 17, 1995) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a left winger or wing-back for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.
Club career
=Early career=
Born in Toronto, Edwards began his career with Erin Mills SC before joing the Toronto FC Academy. {{cite web|url=https://www.erinmillssoccer.com/post/erin-mills-soccer-club-alumni-raheem-edwards|title=Erin Mills Soccer Club Alumni Raheem Edwards|author=|date=March 8, 2019|work=Erin Mills SC}}
In 2014, Edwards joined the new League1 Ontario signing with Internacional de Toronto and then joined ANB Futbol midway through the season after Internacional was expelled from the league.{{cite web|url=https://www.league1ontario.com/news_article/show/680474|title=The Toronto FC Pipeline: Academy To MLS|author=Anthony Gallo|date=August 19, 2016|work=League1 Ontario}}
=Toronto FC II=
In 2015, Edwards signed his first professional contract with Toronto FC II, Toronto FC's reserve team. He made his debut as a substitute on March 28 against FC Montreal.{{cite web|first=Kamal|last=Hylton|date=March 28, 2015|title=Match Recap: TFC II vs. FC Montreal|url=http://www.torontofc.ca/post/2015/03/28/match-recap-tfc-ii-vs-fc-montreal}} Edwards played two full seasons with the USL side, scoring eight goals and assisting on five occasions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.torontofc.ca/players/raheem-edwards|title=Raheem Edwards|website=MLSsoccer.com}}
=Toronto FC=
In June 2016, Edwards signed a short-term agreement which allowed him to play in cup games with the first team.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontofc.ca/post/2016/06/29/toronto-fc-sign-raheem-edwards-short-term-agreement|publisher=Toronto FC|title=Toronto FC Sign Raheem Edwards To Short-Term Agreement |date=June 29, 2016}} On June 29, 2016, Edwards made his first team debut during the 2016 Canadian Championship, coming on for Jonathan Osorio in the second half of the second leg of the final. Raheem made his Major League Soccer debut when he entered in the 88th minute TFC's 1–1 draw at home to Seattle Sounders FC on July 2, 2016. In March 2017, Edwards signed a full first team contract with Toronto FC prior to the 2017 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontofc.ca/post/2017/03/02/toronto-fc-sign-raheem-edwards|title=Toronto FC sign Raheem Edwards|website=Toronto FC|date=March 2, 2017}}
=Montreal Impact=
On December 12, 2017, Edwards was selected by Los Angeles FC in the 2017 MLS Expansion Draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/12/12/2017-mls-expansion-draft|title=LAFC select Tico striker, young prospects in 2017 MLS Expansion Draft|date=December 12, 2017|work=Major League Soccer}} He was then immediately traded with fellow expansion draftee Jukka Raitala to Montreal Impact on exchange for defender Laurent Ciman.{{cite web|url=https://www.impactmontreal.com/en/post/2017/12/12/impact-acquires-jukka-raitala-and-raheem-edwards|title=Impact acquires Jukka Raitala and Raheem Edwards|work=Montreal Impact|date=December 12, 2017}} Edwards would make his Impact debut against Vancouver Whitecaps FC during the 2018 season opener,{{cite web |url=https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2018-03-04-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-montreal-impact/recap |title= Vancouver Whitecaps 2, Montreal Impact 1 {{!}} 2018 MLS Match Recap |website= MLS |author= Charles Boehm |date= March 4, 2018}} and would score his first goal for the Impact in the following game against the Columbus Crew.{{cite web|url=https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2018-03-10-columbus-crew-sc-vs-montreal-impact/recap |title= Columbus Crew SC 3, Montreal Impact 2 {{!}} 2018 MLS Match Recap |website=MLS |author=Phil West |date= March 10, 2018}}
=Chicago Fire=
On July 17, 2018, Edwards was traded to the Chicago Fire in exchange for $400,000 in Targeted Allocation Money.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicago-fire.com/post/2018/07/17/chicago-fire-acquire-raheem-edwards|title=Chicago Fire Acquire Raheem Edwards|work=Chicago Fire FC|date=July 17, 2018}} He made his debut four days later on July 21, assisting on a Nemanja Nikolić goal in a 2–1 defeat to his former club Toronto FC.
=Minnesota United=
On February 11, 2020, Edwards was again traded within Major League Soccer, this time to Minnesota United FC in exchange for Wyatt Omsberg.{{cite news |title=Chicago Fire FC Acquires Defender Wyatt Omsberg from Minnesota United FC |url=https://www.chicagofirefc.com/post/2020/02/11/chicago-fire-fc-acquires-defender-wyatt-omsberg-minnesota-united-fc-0 |access-date=February 11, 2020 |work=Chicago Fire FC |date=February 11, 2020}} He made his debut on March 7 against the San Jose Earthquakes.
=Los Angeles FC=
On December 17, 2020, Edwards was selected by Los Angeles FC in the first stage of the 2020 MLS Re-Entry Draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/12/17/three-players-selected-stage-one-2020-mls-re-entry-draft|title=Three players selected in Stage One of 2020 MLS Re-Entry Draft|first=Tom|last=Bogert|date=December 17, 2020|work=Major League Soccer}} Upon completion of the 2021 season, Edwards' option for the 2022 season would not be picked up by Los Angeles, making him a free agent.{{cite web|url=https://www.lafc.com/news/lafc-announces-roster-moves-for-2022-season|title=LAFC Announces Roster Moves For 2022 Season |website=Los Angeles FC|date=December 1, 2021}}
=LA Galaxy=
On January 7, 2022, Edwards signed a three-year deal with LA Galaxy.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/la-galaxy-sign-versatile-mf-raheem-edwards-to-3-year-deal|title=LA Galaxy sign midfielder Raheem Edwards through 2024|date=January 7, 2022|work=Major League Soccer}} With this transfer, Edwards became the first LAFC player to join rivals LA Galaxy immediately after a season with LAFC. He made his debut in the Galaxy's season opener against New York City FC on February 27, where he assisted Chicharito's winning goal in a 1–0 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/it-was-incredible-chicharito-leads-la-galaxy-past-reigning-mls-cup-champs-nycfc|title="It was incredible": Chicharito leads LA Galaxy past reigning MLS Cup champs NYCFC|date=February 27, 2022|first=Phil|last=West}}
=CF Montreal=
In December 2023, Edwards was traded to his former club CF Montréal (previously known as the Montreal Impact), in exchange for $400,000 in general allocation money.{{cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/sports/soccer/mls/club-de-foot-montreal/cf-montreal-acquires-raheem-edwards-from-la-galaxy|title=CF Montréal acquires Raheem Edwards from LA Galaxy|date=December 11, 2023|work=Montreal Gazette}} Edwards appeared in 25 league matches for Montréal recording 5 assists. At the end of the season, Edwards' contract option would not be exercised, making him a free agent.{{citeweb|url=https://en.cfmontreal.com/news/cf-montreal-exercises-options-of-nathan-saliba-and-jules-anthony-vilsaint-for-the-2025-season|title=CF Montréal exercises options of Nathan Saliba and Jules-Anthony Vilsaint for the 2025 season|website=CF Montreal|date=November 21, 2024}}
=New York Red Bulls=
On January 30, 2025, Edwards signed a two-year deal with New York Red Bulls. {{cite web|url=https://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/new-york-red-bulls-sign-canadian-defender-raheem-edwards-to-mls-contract|title=New York Red Bulls Sign Canadian Defender Raheem Edwards to MLS Contract|work=New York Red Bulls}}
International career
=Youth=
Born in Canada, Edwards is of Jamaican descent.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wakingthered.com/2017/9/2/16246252/canada-diversity-creates-family-complications-against-jamaica-toronto-friendly|title=Canada's diversity creates family complications against Jamaica|first=James|last=Grossi|date=September 2, 2017|website=Waking The Red}} He made his debut for the Canadian program with the U23 side at the 2015 Pan American Games. He appeared in his first match against Brazil's U23 side as a substitute.{{cite web|url=http://olympic.ca/2015/07/12/stylish-brazil-make-canadian-men-suffer-in-pan-am-football-opener/|first=Daniel|last=Squizzato|title=Stylish Brazil makes Canadian men suffer in Pan Am football|date=July 12, 2015}}
In May 2016, Edwards was called to Canada's U23 national team for a pair of friendlies against Guyana and Grenada.{{cite web|url=http://canadasoccer.com/canada-announces-roster-for-caribbean-tour-p159488|title=Canada announces roster for Caribbean tour|author=Canada Soccer Association|access-date=May 19, 2016}} He scored in both games, and received Man of the Match honors with a goal and three assists in the U23's 5–1 victory against Guyana's full national team on May 15, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://canadasoccer.com/canada-m23-defeat-guyana-as-part-of-jubilee-celebration-p159523|title=Canada m23 defeat Guyana as part of Jubilee celebration|author=Canada Soccer Association|access-date=May 19, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://canadasoccer.com/canada-m23-wins-again-on-caribbean-tour-p159531|title=Canada m23 wins again on Caribbean tour|author=Canada Soccer Association|access-date=May 19, 2016}}
=Senior=
Edwards made his debut for the Canadian senior team against Curaçao on June 13, 2017.{{cite web|date=June 13, 2017|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/2017/06/13/canada-beats-curacao-for-first-win-under-zambrano.html|title=Canada beats Curacao for first win under Zambrano|first=Bill|last=Beacon|website=Toronto Star}} On June 27, he was named to the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup squad.{{cite web|first=Dave|last=Zeitlin|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/06/27/canada-names-nine-mls-players-23-man-concacaf-gold-cup-roster|title=Canada names nine MLS players to 23-man CONCACAF Gold Cup roster|date=June 27, 2017}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played May 3, 2025}}{{cite web|title=Raheem Edwards profile|website=Soccerway|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/raheem-edwards/401661/}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Playoffs !colspan="2"|National cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="4"|Toronto FC II
|2015 |rowspan="3"|USL |21 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 2 | ||||
| 2016
|20 | 6 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 20 | 6 | ||||
| 2017
|1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!42 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 8 | |
| rowspan="3"|Toronto FC
|2016 |rowspan="2"|MLS |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2017
|21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 25 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!22 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 1 | |
| Montreal Impact
|2018 |MLS |14 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 2 | |||
| rowspan="3"|Chicago Fire
|2018 |rowspan="2"|MLS |13 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 1 | |||
| 2019
|4 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 1 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 2 | |
| Minnesota United FC | 2020
|MLS |12Includes three appearances in MLS is Back Tournament group stage | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3Appearances in MLS is Back Tournament knockout stage | 0 | 15 | 0 | |
| Los Angeles FC
|2021 |MLS |27 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 27 | 0 | ||||
| Las Vegas Lights (loan)
|2021 |1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||||
| rowspan="3"|LA Galaxy
|2022 |rowspan="2"|MLS |30 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 35 | 1 | ||
| 2023
|30 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2Appearance(s) in Leagues Cup | 0 | 35 | 2 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!60 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 70 | 3 | |
| CF Montréal
|2024 |MLS |25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 0 | |
| New York Red Bulls
|2025 |MLS |7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!227 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 250 | 16 |
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
=International=
{{updated|match played November 11, 2022}}{{cite web|title=Raheem Edwards profile|url=https://www.canadasoccer.com/?t=csa_player&pid=13211|publisher=Canada Soccer|access-date=March 24, 2018}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals | ||
| rowspan=3|Canada
|2017 | 3 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 |
| colspan=2|Total||5||0 |
|---|
Honours
;Toronto FC
- MLS Cup: 2017{{cite web |date=December 9, 2017 |title=Recap: Toronto FC vs Seattle Sounders |url=https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2017-12-09-toronto-fc-vs-seattle-sounders-fc|publisher=mlssoccer.com |access-date=December 9, 2017}}
- Supporters' Shield: 2017
- Canadian Championship: 2016, 2017
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Canada Soccer player|id=13211}}
{{New York Red Bulls squad}}
{{Canada squad 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Edwards, Raheem}}
Category:2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup players
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Black Canadian men's soccer players
Category:Canadian sportspeople of Jamaican descent
Category:Canadian men's soccer players
Category:Canada men's under-23 international soccer players
Category:Canada men's international soccer players
Category:Chicago Fire FC players
Category:Minnesota United FC players
Category:Footballers at the 2015 Pan American Games
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:Soccer players from Toronto
Category:Toronto FC II players
Category:USL Championship players
Category:Pan American Games competitors for Canada
Category:Los Angeles FC players
Category:Las Vegas Lights FC players
Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States
Category:Canadian expatriate men's soccer players
Category:Sheridan College alumni
Category:University and college men's soccer players in Canada
Category:Toronto FC Academy players