Electric City Football Club Signs League1 Ontario All-Star and U Sports National Champion

Two more additions to building the Electric City Football Club’s (ECFC) inaugural rosters continue by signing two-time League1 Ontario All-Star Ethan Gopaul and U Sports Women’s Soccer National Champion Hailey Walsh on Thursday.

Hailey Walsh (left) and Ethan Gopaul (right) are the fourth players for their respective teams signed to the the club. Photo courtesy of ECFC.

Gopaul, 22, from London, Ont. has spent time at the prestigious Vancouver Whitecaps residency program from the age of 16-19, then made the jump to their USL Championship affiliate, Vancouver Whitecaps 2 in 2017.

“Ethan has been a standout in League1 Ontario over the last couple of years. His pace and 1v1 attacking ability are exceptional which makes him a handful for defenders to deal with. Ethan has proven he is capable of scoring goals at the League1 Ontario level year after year,” Rob Jenkins, ECFC President. “We truly believe he is a CPL-calibre player and that he will be one of the most entertaining players for our fans to watch this season.”

Gopaul (right) dribbling the ball around a defender during his tenure with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2. Photo courtesy of ECFC.

Gopaul with FC London in 2019 helped the club reach the League1 Ontario Finals by scoring two goals in their playoff run and was named to the League1 First Team All-Stars.  

In 2021, he helped FCL to third place in the league by scoring 11 goals in 12 matches (second in the league in scoring). Gopaul received a West-Division First Team All-Star nod.

“Electric City FC excited me because it was an opportunity for change, new challenges, and more exposure to that professional environment that’s being built here,” said Gopaul. “With the goal to be a CPL franchise and all the effort that’s been made to make me feel comfortable with this change, it has made me feel very honoured to be a part of the first group of players to wear this badge on my chest.”

Walsh dribbles the ball during a game for the Ottawa U Gee-Gees. Photo courtesy of ECFC.

Hailey Walsh, 22, of Courtice, Ontario was recruited from a top-ranked University of Ottawa Women’s soccer program.

During her time as a Gee-Gee, Walsh was a 2018 OUA champion, a 2018 U Sports National Champion, a 2019 OUA Bronze Medalist and Champion of the inaugural 2019 FISU University World Cup in China.

“Hailey is a player we monitored closely this past season during her time with U of Ottawa. What really attracted us to recruit Hailey into our program was her capability to play short and long passes with both feet,” said Randy Ribeiro, ECFC women’s head coach. “Her technical ability to play out of tight spaces is exceptional and we truly believe she fits our player profile perfectly. We are really excited to have Hailey join us this summer at ECFC.”

Walsh has played a number of successful seasons in League1 Ontario for Durham United, FC Oshawa and Darby FC.

“It feels incredible to be a part of Electric City FC. I have seen how the city of Peterborough has bought into this club and their enthusiasm makes me so eager to get started,” said Walsh. “Being a part of Electric City FC’s inaugural season is a very surreal feeling, as we get to make our mark in League1 Ontario and that’s very exciting to me.”

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