Canada’s Shaffelburg thriving on Concacaf’s big stages

FRISCO, Texas – There is just something about Concacaf tournaments that bring out the very best in Jacob Shaffelburg.

In the last 12 months the 24-year-old Canada winger has scored many a big goal in different Concacaf tournaments.

Last summer in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, he struck in extra time in Canada’s quarterfinal encounter with the United States. Earlier this year, Shaffelburg scored three goals for club side Nashville SC in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup, including a brace in the Round of 16 first leg against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.

Shaffelburg then continued his scorching-hot scoring streak in Concacaf tournaments with a late goal in Canada’s 2-0 win versus Trinidad and Tobago in Saturday’s 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League Play-In match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

Speaking with Concacaf.com following Saturday’s triumph, Shaffelburg could only chuckle when looking back on his great run of form in Concacaf competitions.

“Maybe it’s because in these competitions they don’t know me as well,” said Shaffelburg with a smile. “I do have a lot of speed, so maybe it’s a different approach that they’re not used to that makes a bit of a difference. It’s always fun to play in these kinds of games.”

In his post-match press conference, Canada Head Coach Mauro Biello praised the hard work put in by Shaffelburg during training the past week. For Shaffelburg, hard work is the root of his success.

“I was texting my dad throughout the week and he said that the only thing you can control is how hard you work. I just try to be the hardest worker every day, help out the team as much as I can and get a goal,” said Shaffelburg.

While Shaffelburg relished scoring in last summer’s Gold Cup, the chance to find the back of the net playing along the Canada stars who ply their trade in Europe, like Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies and Inter Milan’s Tajon Buchanan, made Saturday’s goal a bit more special.

“The Gold Cup was really cool, such great players there, but this one means more because the guys from Europe are here, too, so it’s a cool experience to score with those guys. You see how good they are, and you see the level they’re at. It’s an all-around an amazing experience. I’ve dreamed of this and it’s cool that it’s come true,” concluded Shaffelburg.