Richie Laryea

Richie Laryea
Laryea with Canada in 2026
Personal information
Full name Richmond Mamah Laryea[1]
Date of birth (1995-01-07) January 7, 1995
Place of birth Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[2]
Position Defender
Team information
Current team
 Toronto FC
Number 22
Youth career
2004–2008 Club Uruguay[3]
2008–2014 Sigma FC
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2015 Akron Zips 42 (12)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015 Sigma FC 9 (5)
2016–2018 Orlando City SC 21 (0)
2016–2017 → Orlando City B (loan) 35 (3)
2019–2021 Toronto FC 67 (8)
2022–2024 Nottingham Forest 5 (0)
2022–2023 → Toronto FC (loan) 28 (2)
2023 → Vancouver Whitecaps FC (loan) 12 (1)
2024– Toronto FC 45 (4)
International career‡
2016 Canada U23 2 (1)
2019– Canada 80 (1)
2026 Canada B 1 (0)
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Men's soccer
CONCACAF Nations League
Runner-up2023
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of August 22, 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of July 4, 2026

Richmond Mamah Laryea (/ləˈreɪjə/ La-RAY-a;[4] Ga: /ˈlɑːji/ LAH-yee;[4] born January 7, 1995) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a right-back or midfielder for Major League Soccer club Toronto FC and the Canada national team.

College career

Prior to his college career, Laryea played for Sigma FC Academy and Dante Alighieri Academy in Toronto.[5] Laryea played college soccer at the University of Akron for two seasons, reaching the College Cup semi-finals in 2015.[6]

Laryea was named to the All-Mid-American Conference Second Team in 2014,[7] and was named to the All-Mid-American Conference First Team in 2015.[8] Following his sophomore season, Laryea signed a contract with Generation Adidas.[9]

Club career

Sigma FC

Laryea played for League1 Ontario club Sigma FC in 2015, where he was named a League All-Star.[10]

Orlando City

Laryea was drafted in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft by Orlando City.[11][12] He was loaned to Orlando City B in March 2016.[13]

Laryea playing for Orlando City B in 2017

After spending the first half of his second season once again on loan to OCB playing as both an attacking and defensive midfielder,[14] Laryea made his MLS debut on June 25, 2017, subbing on for Kaká in a 4–0 defeat to Chicago Fire.[15] Laryea got his first MLS assist on September 27, 2017, assisting on Yoshimar Yotún's goal against New England Revolution.[16] He made his first career MLS start on the final day of the season away to Philadelphia Union.[17]

On November 27, 2018, the club announced they had declined his contract option.[18]

Toronto FC

On March 21, 2019, Laryea signed for MLS side Toronto FC.[19] Laryea scored his first goal for Toronto on May 26, 2019, in a 2–1 home defeat to the San Jose Earthquakes,[20] was also his first MLS goal.[21] Laryea scored his first playoff goal, against DC United, and then defeated Atlanta United FC to win the Eastern Conference (MLS) playoffs. Laryea and Toronto FC then lost to Seattle Sounders FC in the 2019 MLS Cup final. Laryea would have his option for the 2020 season exercised by Toronto, keeping him with the club for 2020.[22]

On September 27, 2020, Laryea scored a solo goal and provided two assists in the second half of Toronto's 3–1 win against the league-leading Columbus Crew.[23] Laryea was named the MLS Player of the Week as a result of his performance.[24]

Nottingham Forest

On January 8, 2022, EFL Championship club Nottingham Forest signed Laryea on a transfer from Toronto FC, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract.[25] After featuring only sparingly in Forest's matchday squads during his first few months, Laryea made his debut on April 18 against West Bromwich Albion, as a second-half substitute for Djed Spence in an eventual 4–0 victory.[26]

Loans to Toronto and Vancouver

In August 2022, he returned on loan to Toronto FC until the end of June 2023.[27] To complete the transaction, Toronto sent $225,000 in General Allocation Money to FC Dallas and $125,000 in General Allocation Money to FC Cincinnati to acquire the top spot in the MLS Allocation Order.[28]

On August 2, 2023, Laryea was loaned to Canadian MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps FC.[29] In January 2024, it was confirmed that Laryea's move would not be made permanent, and that his time with the club had ended.[30]

Reflecting on his spell with Nottingham Forest, Laryea later described it as “a lot of pressure, a lot of stress”, saying it taught him to focus on small details, match “margins”, and block out outside noise.[31]

Return to Toronto

In February 2024, he returned to Toronto FC on a permanent transfer, signing a contract through 2026 with an option for 2027.[32]

International career

Laryea with Canada at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

In May 2016, Laryea was called to Canada's U23 national team for a pair of friendlies against Guyana and Grenada.[33] Laryea scored in the opening match against Guyana.[34]

Laryea received his first call up to the senior team on August 26, 2019, for two CONCACAF Nations League matches against Cuba.[35] He made his debut in the first match on September 7, 2019.[36]

On March 25, 2021, Laryea scored his first goal for Canada in a 5–1 win over Bermuda in the team's first 2022 World Cup qualifying match.[37]

In June 2021, Laryea was named to Canada's 60-man preliminary squad for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.[38] On July 1, he was named to the final 23-man squad.[39] Canada went on to reach the semi-finals of the tournament, where they were defeated 2–1 by Mexico.[40]

In November 2022, Laryea was called up to the squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[41] Reflecting on Canada’s group-stage exit at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Laryea said the tournament taught the squad that international football is “a game of margins”, emphasizing the importance of taking chances and limiting opponents’ threats against elite opposition.[42]

In June 2023, Laryea was named to Canada's final squad for the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals,[43][44] with Canada reaching the final, only to suffer a 2–0 defeat against United States.[45] On June 19 Laryea was named to the 23-man squad for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.[46]

In June 2024, Laryea was called-up to the Canadian squad for the 2024 Copa América,[47] where the team achieved a fourth-place finish, losing 4–3 to Uruguay on penalties in the third-place playoff following a 2–2 draw.[48]

On May 29, 2026, Laryea was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[49]

Style of play

Laryea has described his game as built on work rate and “max effort”, saying that on the teams he played for growing up, bringing maximum effort in training and matches was considered the bare minimum expected of him and that this standard has carried through his professional career.[50] In a 2026 interview, he said that Canada's men's team press hard, force turnovers and play at full speed, and that this playing style “coincides pretty nicely” with how he likes to play.[51] Reflecting on Canada’s 2022 World Cup campaign, Laryea described matches at that level as “a game of margins”, noting that against top-ranked national teams, small details, taking chances and “put[ting] out fires” defensively can determine results.[52] He also said that experiences in England taught him to cope with pressure, focusing on what he knows he can do and not making major occasions “bigger than what they actually are”.[53]

Canadian sports media has highlighted Laryea as a quick, physical, and versatile full-back or wing-back who can play on either flank, in midfield and occasionally at centre-back, turning defence into attack with his ball-carrying and forward runs.[54][55] Toronto FC head coach Robin Fraser has praised his “incredible intensity” and ability to get into dangerous positions and create penalties, calling Laryea “a world-class international defender”.[56] Laryea is also known for his use of physical duels and on-field banter to get under opponents’ skin and provide the “edge” that teams look for at the international level.[57][58][59]

Personal life

Laryea is of Ghanaian descent.[60] His younger brother, Reggie Laryea, plays soccer for semi-professional team Vaughan Azzurri.[61]

In 2026, Laryea appeared on the cover of Canadian soccer magazine DARBY’s sixth issue, HOME, in a feature that discussed his understanding of home and his leadership role with Canada ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil.[62]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played August 22, 2026[63]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Playoffs National cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sigma FC 2015 League1 Ontario 95———3[a]2127
Orlando City B 2016 USL 23000–——230
2017 123————123
Total 35300———353
Orlando City SC 2017 MLS 120—00——120
2018 90—00——90
Total 210—00——210
Toronto FC 2019 MLS 2014140——282
2020 20[b]410——1[c]0224
2021 273—303[d]0—333
Total 67851703010839
Nottingham Forest 2021–22 Championship 50—00—0050
Toronto FC (loan) 2022 MLS 100—00——100
2023 182—10——192
Total 282—10——292
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (loan) 2023 MLS 1212000——141
Toronto FC 2024 MLS 121—20—3[e]0171
2025 171—00——171
2026 1620000——162
Total 4540020—30504
Career total 2222371100308225026
  1. ↑ Appearances in League1 Ontario League Cup
  2. ↑ Includes two appearances and one goal in MLS is Back Tournament group stage
  3. ↑ Appearance in MLS is Back Tournament knockout stage
  4. ↑ Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League
  5. ↑ Appearances in Leagues Cup

International

As of match played July 4, 2026[64]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Canada 201940
202020
2021161
2022150
2023110
2024120
2025110
202690
Total801
As of March 25, 2021. Scores and results list Canada's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Laryea goal.
List of international goals scored by Richie Laryea
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1March 25, 2021Exploria Stadium, Orlando, United States7 Bermuda3–05–12022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Toronto FC

Nottingham Forest

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "National Team Roster 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup" (PDF). CONCACAF.
  2. ↑ "Richie Laryea profile". Nottingham Forest F.C. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Pro: First Youth Registration List" (PDF). League1 Ontario.
  4. 1 2 @TorontoFC (August 1, 2021). "PSA from @RichieLaryea_" (Tweet). Retrieved May 4, 2026 – via Twitter.
  5. ↑ "Sigma FC's Richmond Laryea Signs Generation Adidas Contract with MLS". Sigma FC. Archived from the original on January 13, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  6. ↑ Alexander, Elton (December 6, 2015). "Akron Zips will take on Stanford on Friday in College Cup 2015 (photos)". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Men's Soccer garners a conference-best seven All-MAC selections". Akron Zips. November 13, 2014. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Zips Garner a League-Best Eight All-MAC Selections". Akron Zips. November 12, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  9. ↑ "MLS announces 2016 Generation adidas class, signs Stanford senior defender Brandon Vincent". Major League Soccer. January 9, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  10. ↑ "2015 League1 Ontario Men's All-Stars". League1 Ontario. November 17, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  11. ↑ Tenorio, Paul (January 14, 2016). "Orlando City selects Akron's Richie Laryea with No. 7 pick in MLS SuperDraft". orlandosentinel.com. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  12. ↑ Nelson, Norm (January 20, 2016). "Dante Alighieri Academy grad Richie Laryea taken seventh in MLS draft". North York Mirror. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Orlando City SC Loan Seven Players to OCB". Orlando City SC. March 25, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  14. ↑ David, Austin (May 16, 2017). "Richie Laryea Starting To Prove Himself in Year 2 for Orlando City B". The Mane Land. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  15. ↑ del Gallo, Alicia (July 19, 2017). "Richie Laryea excels with Orlando City after stern talk with coach". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  16. ↑ David, Austin (September 28, 2017). "A Game of Firsts: Orlando's Dominant Win Provides Accolades". Orlando City SC. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Orlando City Falls at Philadelphia in Season Finale". Orlando City SC. October 22, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  18. ↑ Culver, Jordan (November 27, 2018). "Orlando City declines options for eight players after tough 2018 season". Pro Soccer USA. Archived from the original on November 28, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Toronto FC signs Richie Laryea". Toronto FC. March 21, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  20. ↑ Molinaro, John (May 26, 2019). "Toronto FC trending in wrong direction with loss to San Jose". Sportsnet. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  21. ↑ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (May 26, 2019). "Recap: Laryea bags his first as TFC fall at home". Waking the Red. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Toronto FC announces roster decisions to conclude 2019 season". Toronto FC. November 21, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Laryea puts on a show as Toronto FC rallies to down league-leading Columbus 3-1". CP24. September 27, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Laryea named MLS Player of the Week". Toronto FC. September 28, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Richie Laryea: Nottingham Forest sign Canada international full-back". BBC Sport. January 8, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  26. ↑ Nottingham Forest FC [@NFFC] (April 18, 2022). "On comes Richie Laryea for his Forest debut, replacing Spence Let's go, Richie #NFFC 3-0 #WBA" (Tweet). Retrieved April 18, 2022 – via Twitter.
  27. ↑ Davidson, Neil (August 4, 2022). "Toronto FC moves to bring Richie Laryea back on loan deal after stint in England". CBC Sports. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Toronto FC completes two side deals to seal Richie Laryea's return on loan". Sportsnet. August 5, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Vancouver Whitecaps acquire Richie Laryea from Nottingham Forest | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  30. ↑ Adams, J.J. (January 5, 2024). "Whitecaps: The Richie Laryea experiment in Vancouver is over". The Province. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Issue 6: HOME". DARBY Magazine. 2026. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Canadian International Defender Richie Laryea Returns to Toronto FC". Toronto FC. February 23, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Canada announces roster for Caribbean tour". SIRC.
  34. ↑ "L'équipe U-23 gagne face à Guyana" [Canada m23 defeat Guyana as part of Jubilee celebration]. Canadian Soccer Association (in French). Archived from the original on August 1, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  35. ↑ Butler, Dylan (August 28, 2019). "Canada names 24-man roster for Concacaf Nations League tilts vs. Cuba". Major League Soccer. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  36. ↑ Thompson, Marty (September 7, 2019). "Canada-Cuba: 4 talking points for 2nd Nations League tilt". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  37. ↑ "Larin, Davies combine to help Canada down Bermuda in World Cup qualifier". TSN. March 25, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  38. ↑ Davidson, Neil (June 18, 2021). "Davies, David highlight Canada's preliminary roster for Gold Cup". TSN. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  39. ↑ "Canada Soccer Announces 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Roster". Canadian Soccer Association. July 1, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  40. ↑ "Canada impresses in 1:2 loss to Mexico in Concacaf Gold Cup Semifinal". Canada Soccer Pressroom. July 30, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  41. ↑ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (November 13, 2022). "Canada announces 26-man squad for 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  42. ↑ "Issue 6: HOME". DARBY Magazine. 2026. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  43. ↑ Łukasz, Piszczek (August 4, 2025). "livescore". Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  44. ↑ Tierney, Mitchell (June 7, 2023). "Former CPLers Loturi, Zator called up by Canada for 2023 Concacaf Nations League Finals". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  45. ↑ Booth, Chuck (June 19, 2023). "USMNT vs. Canada score: USA win their second Concacaf Nations League title, Folarin Balogun scores first goal". CBS Sports. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  46. ↑ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (June 19, 2023). "CanMNT announces final 23-man squad for Concacaf Gold Cup". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  47. ↑ "CANMNT ANNOUNCE 2024 COPA AMÉRICA ROSTER". Canadian Soccer Association. June 15, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  48. ↑ "Uruguay 2-2 Canada (14 Jul, 2024) Final Score - ESPN (UK)". ESPN. July 14, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  49. ↑ "Canada Soccer Announces CANMNT Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026™". May 29, 2026. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  50. ↑ "Issue 6: HOME". DARBY Magazine. 2026. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  51. ↑ "Issue 6: HOME". DARBY Magazine. 2026. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  52. ↑ "Issue 6: HOME". DARBY Magazine. 2026. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  53. ↑ "Issue 6: HOME". DARBY Magazine. 2026. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  54. ↑ "No matter the position, Richie Laryea a driving force for Toronto FC". Sportsnet. August 30, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  55. ↑ "Richie Laryea back in Toronto FC lineup after 'outstanding' CanMNT performances". Waking the Red. September 11, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  56. ↑ "Richie Laryea back in Toronto FC lineup after 'outstanding' CanMNT performances". Waking the Red. September 11, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  57. ↑ "Art of Darkness: What anti-ambassador Richie Laryea brings to Canada's World Cup lineup". CBC Sports. June 17, 2026. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  58. ↑ "Canada's Richie Laryea plays with 'the edge that teams are looking for'". Waking the Red. June 16, 2026. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  59. ↑ "No matter the position, Richie Laryea a driving force for Toronto FC". Sportsnet. August 30, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  60. ↑ Castillo, Arielle (January 10, 2016). "10 Things About Richie Laryea: His love for Toronto, his mom, and, yes, Drake". Major League Soccer. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  61. ↑ "Vaughan Azzurri roster". League1 Ontario. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  62. ↑ "Issue 6: HOME". DARBY Magazine. 2026. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  63. ↑ Richie Laryea at Soccerway
  64. ↑ Richie Laryea at Canada Soccer
  65. ↑ "Toronto FC advances to MLS Cup final after win over Atlanta United FC". Sportsnet. October 30, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
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