Ryan Anthony Telfer (born 4 March 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Canadian Premier League club HFX Wanderers. Born in Canada, he represents Trinidad and Tobago at international level.
Club career
Early career Born in Canada, Telfer was raised in Trinidad, where his parents were from, and began playing with Skhy FC. He later returned to Canada and played youth soccer with Erin Mills Eagles, and was eventually signed in 2012 to their senior team the Mississauga Eagles FC in the Canadian Soccer League.
In 2014, he played in the Ontario Soccer League with Erin Mills Eagles, where he finished as the top goalscorer in the Provincial U21 West division.
In 2015, he played at the college level with the York Lions where he won the OUA and CIS championship. Further achievements included receiving OUA West second-team all-star honours and the OUA silver medal. Telfer played with League1 Ontario club Vaughan Azzurri during the 2016 season.
Toronto FC II On March 24, 2017 he signed with Toronto FC II of the United Soccer League. He made his debut on March 25, 2017 against Phoenix Rising FC, where he scored the lone goal in a 1–0 victory.
Toronto FC On April 13, 2018, Telfer signed with Major League Soccer side Toronto FC. On April 14, 2018, Telfer made his debut for the first team, in a Major League Soccer game against the Colorado Rapids.
On May 18, 2018 Telfer scored his first MLS goal against Orlando City which was the game winner for TFC. Telfer would have his option for the 2020 season declined by Toronto, ending his time with the club after nine seasons. The decision to have the club not pick up his option was a mutual decision between Telfer and the club to provide him with better playing opportunities.
Loan to York On March 6, 2019, Telfer was sent on a season-long loan to Canadian Premier League side York9 FC. Telfer scored the first goal in Canadian Premier League history against Forge FC in the league's inaugural match on April 27, 2019, which eventually ended in a 1–1 away draw.
Nea Salamis On January 29, 2020, Telfer signed with Cypriot First Division side Nea Salamis.
Return to York
After leaving Nea Salamis in May 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Telfer returned to Canada and re-joined York9 on June 3. The contract had various "triggers and incentives" that could extend its length.
Atlético Ottawa On April 20, 2021, Telfer signed with Atlético Ottawa. He made his debut for Ottawa in their season opening 2–0 victory over FC Edmonton. Telfer scored his first goal for his new club on August 2, netting the lone Ottawa tally in a 2–1 loss to the HFX Wanderers.
Later in the month on August 29 in a rematch against the Wanderers, Telfer was sent off after a confrontation with the referee and HFX player João Morelli following foul which yielded a yellow card. He was subsequently suspended and sanctioned by Canada Soccer, missing five games. In January 2022 Atlético Ottawa confirmed they had declined Telfer's contract option, ending his time with the club.
Columbus Crew 2 On April 1, 2022, Columbus Crew 2 announced that they had signed Telfer. Following the 2022 season, he was released by Columbus.
Miami FC In January 2023, he signed with Miami FC of the USL Championship.
HFX Wanderers In February 2024, he returned to the Canadian Premier League, signing with the HFX Wanderers. He made his debut on 13 April 2024 against Pacific FC.
International career Born in Canada, and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, Telfer was eligible for both countries. In August 2019, Canada coach John Herdman mentioned Telfer was a player he was monitoring. However, on September 3, 2019 he was called up to Trinidad and Tobago for two CONCACAF Nations League matches against Martinique.
Telfer made his debut for Trinidad and Tobago in the first match against Martinique three days later on September 6. In the second match on September 9, he scored his first international goal. In June 2021 Telfer was named to Trinidad and Tobago's squad for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification tournament. The team would successfully qualify for the tournament. In June 2023, Telfer was named to Trinidad and Tobago's 23-man squad for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Career statistics
Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeaguePlayoffsNational cupLeague cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsVaughan Azzurri2016League1 Ontario5100—00—51Toronto FC II2017USL Championship291————291201890————90Total38100000000381Toronto FC2018Major League Soccer1510040000019120191000—000011Total16100400000201York9 (loan)2019Canadian Premier League268—62——3210Nea Salamis2020Cypriot First Division30————30York92020Canadian Premier League70————70Atlético Ottawa2021Canadian Premier League163—10——173Columbus Crew 22022MLS Next Pro12331———154Miami FC2023USL Championship284—21——305HFX Wanderers2024Canadian Premier League234—11——24520242531010——273Total48710210000518Career total1992841154000021833
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsTrinidad and Tobago2019632021102202232202392202441202530202630Total3810
Scores and results list Trinidad and Tobago's goal tally first. Score column indicates score after each Telfer goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Ryan Telfer No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. September 9, 2019 Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago 2–0 2–2 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League A 2. November 10, 2019 Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, Trinidad and Tobago 1–0 15–0 Friendly 3. 5–0 4. March 25, 2021 Estadio Panamericano, San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic 3–0 3–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification 5. July 2, 2021 DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, United States 3–0 6–1 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification 6. March 25, 2022 Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago 2–0 9–0 Friendly 7. 5–0 8. March 24, 2023 Thomas Robinson Stadium, Nassau, Bahamas 3–0 3–0 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League B 9. September 10, 2023 Estadio Jorge "El Mágico" González, San Salvador, El Salvador 1–1 3–2 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League A 10. June 5, 2024 Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago 1–2 2–2 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
Honours Club Toronto FC Canadian Championship: 2018
References
External links
York Lions profile