22 players selected for Canadian camp and matches in U.S. (Photos)

Canada’s Men’s National Team named a 22-man roster yesterday for its training camp in the U.S., which is taking place until Jan. 30 in Arizona and Texas.

As part of the camp, Canada will feature in two Men’s International Friendlies. The team will take on Denmark on Jan. 26 in Tucson before playing the U.S. on Jan. 29 in Houston.

The match with the U.S. will be broadcast in Canada on Sportsnet starting at 9 p.m.

Interim head coach Colin Miller has stated that the camp will provide a vital opportunity to assess the “future” of the Canadian team.

“One of our key objectives for this camp is to look towards the future and give some of our young players a chance,” said Miller. “It is important for us to take a step forward during the camp and over the course of the next two matches. We expect the young players to come in very hungry and looking to show well for the future of the Men’s National Team.”

With an average age of just under 25, this is the youngest Canadian team to be assembled since May 2006.

Ten players have earned their first call-up to the Men’s National Team. Eight players were members of Canada’s U-23 team at the 2012 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament.

Mason Trafford is in his first national team camp at any age level.

Dwayne De Rosario, Nik Ledgerwood, Lars Hirschfeld and Tosaint Ricketts are the only players on the roster to have taken part in game action during 2012’s CONCACAF third round of FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 Qualifiers.

Following the camp, Canada has confirmed that it will play Japan in a Men’s International Friendly on March 22 in Doha, Qatar, as the team continues its preparations for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup to take place in the U.S. in July.

Canada’s Roster

  1. GK- Lars Hirschfeld | NOR / Vålerenga Fotball
  2. M- Nik Ledgerwood | SWE / Hammarby Fotboll
  3. FB- Ashtone Morgan | CAN / Toronto FC
  4. CB- Nana Attakora | FIN / FC Haka
  5. CB- Dejan Jaković | USA / D.C. United
  6. M- Philippe Davies | USA / Richmond Kickers
  7. M - Terry Dunfield | CAN / Toronto FC
  8. CM- Kyle Bekker | CAN / Toronto FC
  9. F- Tosaint Ricketts | NOR / Sandnes Ulf
  10. F- Frank Jonke | FIN / FF Jaro
  11. M - Russell Teibert | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
  12. M- Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault |
  13. CB- Doneil Henry | CAN / Toronto FC
  14. M/F- Dwayne De Rosario | USA / D.C. United
  15. M- Emmanuel Gomez | ARG / Club Atletico Griffa
  16. M - Matt Stinson | CAN / Toronto FC
  17. F- Kyle Porter | CAN / FC Edmonton
  18. GK- Roberto Stillo | ITA / Genoa CFC
  19. M- Evan James
  20. D- Mason Trafford | FIN / IFK Mariehamn
  21. FB- Andrés Fresenga | URU / Racing Club de Montevideo
  22. GK- Simon Thomas

www.canadasoccer.com

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, Ottawa Soccer Examiner

Ron Patey followed his all-star soccer-playing career in Canada and the U.S. by keeping close tabs on the beautiful game since the 1970s. During his 21 years as special sections editor for the Ottawa Sun, he covered portions of the soccer scene in the nation’s capital. Ron’s reports include news...

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