VANCOUVER, BC - The Canadian Soccer Association announced today that Vancouver Whitecaps FC goalkeeper Simon Thomas and midfielder Russell Teibert have been called up to the Canadian men's national team for next month's CONCACAF Gold Cup. Both players are graduates of the Whitecaps FC Residency program.
Also included on the roster are two fellow Whitecaps FC Residency products: defender Adam Straith and striker Randy Edwini-Bonsu, as well as former Whitecaps FC men's striker Marcus Haber.
Thomas will depart on June 26 for the start of training camp in Oxnard, California, while Teibert will leave for national team duty after the ‘Caps’ June 29 match versus D.C. United.
Canada will play three group stage matches to begin the tournament. The Canadians will face Martinique on July 7 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California; Mexico on July 11 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington; and Panama on July 14 at Sports Authority Field in Denver, Colorado.
Both players will miss Vancouver’s matches away to Sporting Kansas City on July 3, and at home to Seattle Sounders FC on July 6 and Chicago Fire on July 14.
Should Canada advance past the group stage, Teibert and Thomas would remain with the team for the duration of the tournament, which concludes on July 28. If the Red and White qualify for the quarterfinals, the duo would miss the 'Caps July 20 road match at LA Galaxy, and should they advance to the Gold Cup final, they would miss the July 27 home match against Philadelphia Union.
Thomas has made two appearances for the Canadian men's national team, while Teibert has made three appearances. Both players most recently appeared in starting roles against the United States on January 29, with the match ending in a 0-0 draw.
In addition to his time training with the club's MLS squad, Thomas has also played with Vancouver’s U-23 team, starting six matches for the ‘Caps in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) Premier Development League (PDL).
Teibert has had a breakout season with Whitecaps FC, starting the past seven consecutive MLS matches, and nine of his 10 appearances overall. In that time, the 5-foot-8 midfielder has scored two goals and is second in the league with six assists.
Canada won the Gold Cup in 2000 and has since succeeded in making it to the tournament semifinals on two other occasions (2002, 2007); and made it to the quarterfinals in 2009.
All of Canada's matches at the tournament will be broadcast on Sportsnet. CanadaSoccerTV will also be on-site at all venues providing additional coverage.
CANADA (position | name | current club)
GK- Milan Borjan | TUR / Sivasspor
GK- Lars Hirschfeld | NOR / Vålerenga Fotball
GK- Simon Thomas | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
D- Marcel de Jong | GER / FC Augsburg
D- David Edgar | ENG / Burnley FC
D- Doneil Henry | CAN / Toronto FC
D- Ashtone Morgan | CAN / Toronto FC
D- Adam Straith | Unattached / sans club
D/M- Nik Ledgerwood | SWE / Hammarby Fotboll
M- Keven Aleman | ESP / Real Valladolid
M- Kyle Bekker | CAN / Toronto FC
M - Julian de Guzman | Unattached / sans club
M- Will Johnson | USA / Portland Timbers
M- Issey Nakajima-Farran | CYP / Alki Larnaca
M- Jonathan Osorio | CAN / Toronto FC
M- Pedro Pacheco | POR / C.D. Santa Clara
M- Samuel Piette | GER / Fortuna Düsseldorf
M- Russell Teibert | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
M/F- Randy Edwini-Bonsu | Unattached / sans club
F- Marcus Haber | ENG / Stevenage FC
F- Simeon Jackson | Unattached / sans club
F- Tosaint Ricketts | NOR / Sandnes Ulf
