Pair of Whitecaps Prospects Academy players - Abdul, Zelaya - join coach Loga on Griffins
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – During his coaching work with the Vancouver Whitecaps Prospects Academy in Edmonton a couple of years ago, MacEwan Griffins men's soccer head coach Adam Loga has worked with several players who've gone on to higher level soccer all over the place.
Two of those lads will stay right at home in 2025-26, joining the Griffins as key incoming rookies.
Malik Abdul and Sam Zelaya will both have opportunities for playing time as they continue their development under Loga and his staff.
Abdul will support starting fullbacks Kayden Dugas and T-Boy Fayia – two of the best in Canada West – and will have an opportunity to learn from their veteran presence, as well.
"I basically said, 'T-Boy, he needs to be you when you graduate. And he said, 'OK,' " related Loga with a laugh.
The Edmonton Juventus and Northside United product, who has also played for BTB Soccer Academy, has the requisite speed to play one of the key outside positions at the U SPORTS level. He's a recent graduate of Jasper Place high school.
"He's also getting minutes training at the League One level," said Loga of Edmonton Scottish. "He brings pace and athleticism. Looking for him to relieve Kayden and T-Boy if necessary. To have that depth in those wide areas will be key for us."
Zelaya, who grew up in Edmonton after immigrating to Canada from El Salvador, will add to MacEwan's midfield position group with his high soccer IQ, strong technical ability and distribution skills.
"He's a calm player, he's technically sound over the ball," said Loga. "That calmness is great, but at times we need to teach him that bite and hopefully with the step into the U SPORTS level – the men's game – he'll be able to find that intensity both in and out of training."
Zelaya graduated from Archbishop O'Leary and is a product of Edmonton Juventus, also playing for the St. Albert Impact in his youth.
"He's a technical and cerebral player," said Loga. "He looks to connect and combine well. When I had him earlier, he played out of position and just took the change in stride. He has that team mentality, team-first type thought. That's definitely something we're looking forward to."
