There is no specific memorable anecdote that looms large when Barbara Pannese recalls teaching Team Canada defender Richie Laryea in Grades 6 and 7 at St. Jerome Catholic School in Toronto.

“He was always a very respectful young man and quiet — not loud or anything like that,” said Pannese, who retired in 2016 after a 35-year tenure at St. Jerome. “He was a good student with no behavioural issues, and he has a lovely family. And being a good, solid and nice person takes you the furthest, I’ve found. It is the key to success.”

And Laryea has indeed gone very far up the ladder of soccer success.

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After honing his athletic abilities at Dante Alighieri Academy Catholic Secondary School and the Sigma FC soccer development academy and refining his craft as a collegiate player at the University of Akron in Ohio, Laryea was selected seventh overall by the Orlando City Soccer Club in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.

He made his MLS debut on June 25, 2017, at age 22 and spent multiple seasons in Florida before venturing northward in 2019 for his first of three stints with Toronto FC (2019-2021, 2022-2023, 2024-). He has now starred in 133 games for Toronto FC over the past seven years. He has also competed for Nottingham Forest Football Club in England's Premier League (2022-2024) and the Vancouver Whitecaps (2023).  

His prowess on the pitch has also seen Laryea, now 31, suit up for Team Canada at the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, 2022 World Cup, 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals and the 2024 Copa America championship.

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Pannese keeps apprised of Laryea’s professional journey and his life away from the field by following him on Instagram and has been delighted when he responds to the messages she leaves.

“It is very nice to see how he has matured into a responsible young man with two children of his own,” said Pannese. “He often posts pictures of his kids, especially his son (Elijah) who is around (five years old) and plays soccer too. It is exciting to watch someone you know.”

What is also striking to Pannese about Laryea’s pictures is how his facial features are similar to the preteen boy who posed alongside his classmates and her for the annual class photo in 2006 and 2007.

“You can spot him out,” said Pannese. “Obviously he looks more mature, but with his face, you can tell it’s still him. You know how you can see kids when they get older, and they come up to you, and you’re like, ‘you look familiar, but I’m not quite sure who you are.' His features are very distinct.”

When Laryea visited St. Jerome School eight years ago, Pannese was not able to be present for the visit, but she was thankful to learn her former student left an autographed picture for her to pass along to her grandson.

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That in-person visit in 2018 was powerful, and Laryea’s aspirational value as a St. Jerome alumnus is strong in 2026. On June 8, the school held a pep rally in Laryea’s honour in advance of Team Canada’s opening game on June 12 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Students recorded “Go Canada Go” and “Good luck, Richie, we love you” in a prerecorded video.

Laryea told reporters at the BMO Training Ground on that same day that he had received the video and “(I) definitely felt the love … (it's) a full-circle moment, there were a lot of good memories when I went to that school.”