Jacob Shaffelburg, a 21-year old from Port Williams, Nova Scotia has scored his first career Major League Soccer (MLS) goal five minutes after substituting into the match at Yankee Stadium for Toronto FC.
After a 1-2-1 start to the season, Toronto FC fell behind shortly after the second half begun as Jesús Medina put New York City FC ahead in the 51st minute.
In the 69th minute, TFC Manager Chris Armas used his fourth substitution to check Shaffelburg into the match for Yeferson Soteldo.
Only five minutes later – Patrick Mullins, who was only substituted on seven minutes early, put the ball in the box for Shaffelburg who found the back of the net.
This would be the only time Toronto FC could beat the American goalkeeper Sean Johnson, but it was enough to bring them level at 1-1. Toronto improved to 1-2-2 on the season, taking home another point.
“I was was kind of kept putting it on myself to get a goal and it was getting a bit much. So to get that was a breath of a fresh air and a weight off my back.”
– Jacob Shaffelburg via TSN
As a youth, Shaffelburg played in the Valley United SC system in the Annapolis Valley and he also represented Team Nova Scotia at the national level. He played south of the border with Manhattan SC, Black Rock FC and Berkshire School before returning to Canada to join the TFC Academy.
After playing with Toronto FC II and Toronto FC III, Shaffelburg was called upon to make his debut with the men’s club on February 19, 2019.
Since then, Shaffelburg has made 17 appearances with TFC. At the international level, Shaffelburg made his national team debut for Canada on January 10, 2020 against Barbados.
Shaffelburg’s hometown of Port Williams is home to approximately 1,120 people and is situated 5km from Wolfville. Part of Kings County, Shaffelburg grew up near Ottawa Senators star Drake Batherson (New Minas, NS).
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