VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed today that Residency graduates Sam Adekugbe, Kianz Froese, and Marco Bustos have been called up to the Canadian men's national team for an upcoming camp, including a friendly versus the United States.
The roster also includes Whitecaps FC Residency graduates Caleb Clarke, Callum Irving, and Adam Straith.
The camp will run from January 25 to February 6 in preparation for the February 5 fixture versus USA at StubHub Center in Carson, California. The camp will also serve as preparation for the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifiers in March. After the camp, the trio will join Whitecaps FC in Arizona for the 2016 Desert Friendlies. (Click here to find out how you can cheer on the ‘Caps, in person, at the 2016 Major League Soccer Preseason in Tucson.)
- TV: Canada versus USA (Friday, February 5 at 7:30 p.m. PT on TSN)
"We need to continue to put forth our best defence, our best attack, and our best set pieces in 2016," said head coach Benito Floro. "Last year, we scored 18 goals and conceded only six, but we could have scored more through the chances we created. We need to improve our last pass and our shots on target."
Adekugbe and Froese were most recently called up to the fourth round of World Cup qualifiers against Honduras and El Salvador last November.
Adekugbe, 20, suited up in the third round of the tournament in September, while Froese and Bustos, the two youngest camp invitees at 19, are looking for their first World Cup qualifying appearance. The road to Russia resumes with fourth round action when Canada hosts Mexico on March 25 at BC Place.
Adekugbe has made two senior international appearances, making his first cap in Canada's 1-1 draw in the second leg of the third round of FIFA World Cup qualifying versus Belize on September 8. He most recently donned the Red and White in the 1-1 friendly draw versus Ghana last October 13. The Calgary-raised defender, who earned an MLS Team of the Week selection last March, started seven of his nine regular season appearances in 2015, and appeared in all four CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) matches. The England-born left back recently returned from a month-long training stint with English Football League Championship club Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. last December.
Froese is looking for his second cap after making his senior international debut when he played the full 90 minutes in the October 13 friendly against Ghana. The midfielder had a productive 2015 with Whitecaps FC, scoring match-winning goals at New York Red Bulls in MLS play on June 20, and versus C.D. Olimpia in CCL competition on September 16. In addition, Froese also recorded an assist in the first leg of the Amway Canadian Championship final at Montreal Impact on August 12. Froese, who was named the WFC Most Promising Player for 2015, also appeared in all four CCL matches, in addition to his nine MLS appearances.
Bustos made his senior international debut playing alongside Adekugbe and Froese in the 1-1 friendly draw versus Ghana last October, which was followed by his MLS debut at FC Dallas on the following evening. The attacking midfielder appeared in all three CCL matches for Whitecaps FC as a second-half substitute, while finishing the 2015 USL season with a team-high seven goals in 17 matches for Whitecaps FC 2. The Winnipeg-born midfielder earned three USL Team of the Week selections this year.
FULL ROSTER
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crépeau (CAN / Impact Montréal), Tyson Farago (CAN / FC Edmonton), Callum Irving (USA / University of Kentucky)
Defenders:Samuel Adekugbe (CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Marcel de Jong (USA / Sporting Kansas City), Doneil Henry (ENG / West Ham United), Nik Ledgerwood (CAN / FC Edmonton), Wandrille Lefèvre (CAN / Impact Montréal), Karl W. Ouimette (USA / New York Red Bulls), Mallan Roberts (CAN / FC Edmonton), Adam Straith (NOR / Fredrikstad), Steven Vitória
Midfielders: Kyle Bekker (CAN / Impact Montréal), Marco Bustos (CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Julian de Guzman (CAN / Ottawa Fury FC), Jamar Dixon (FIN / FF Jaro), Kianz Froese (CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Will Johnson (CAN / Toronto FC), Issey Nakajima-Farran (MAS / Terengganu FA)
Forwards: Tesho Akindele (USA / FC Dallas), Caleb Clarke (Unattached), Iain Hume (Unattached), Cyle Larin (USA / Orlando City S.C.)
Be a part of the best sporting atmosphere in Vancouver! 2016 Whitecaps FC Season Tickets are on sale from $39/month all in. In addition to Season Tickets, Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including Half-Season Packs, 5-Packs, a Youth Soccer Half-Season Ticket, and single match tickets. For more information, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
