VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed today that goalkeeper Simon Thomas has been called up by Canada for international duty in the final week of May.
During his time with the Canadian national team, Thomas, 23, will compete in a friendly against Costa Rica on Tuesday, May 28 (5 p.m. PT) at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta.
Previously, the 6-foot-3, 190-pound goalkeeper made his debut for the Canadian men’s national team, coming on as a substitute for Lars Hirschfeld in a friendly against Denmark on January 26, 2013. That debut was quickly followed up by his first start, keeping a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw against the United States on January 29, 2013.
Canada’s roster selection for the friendly features a mix of European-based players with a sizeable contingent from MLS clubs as well.
"The match against Costa Rica will be a great challenge for this young group," said interim head coach Colin Miller.
"Hopefully some of these young lads will rise to the occasion and stake a claim for a place at the CONCACAF Gold Cup."
"We are playing at home and we know that means we need to be positive - and I will certainly encourage the boys to be positive. We will not sit back and wait for Costa Rica to come after us."
The Canada-Costa Rica friendly in Edmonton is part of Canada’s continued preparations for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup to take place in July. Canada will kick-off the tournament on 7 July against Martinique in Pasadena, CA; will then travel to Seattle, WA for an 11 July fixture against Mexico; and will then close-out the group stage with a match against Panama in Denver, CO on 14 July.
CANADA
GK- Haidar Al-Shaïbani | FRA / Nîmes Olympique
GK- Milan Borjan | TUR / Sivasspor
GK- Simon Thomas | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
D- Nana Attakora | USA / San Jose Earthquakes
D- André Hainault | SCO / Ross County FC
D- Doneil Henry | CAN / Toronto FC
D- Ashtone Morgan | CAN / Toronto FC
D- Adam Straith | GER / FC Saarbrücken
M- Kyle Bekker | CAN / Toronto FC
M- Stefan Cebara | SVN / Nogometni Klub Celje
M - Julian de Guzman | GER / SSV Jahn Regensburg
M- Issey Nakajima-Farran | CYP / Alki Larnaca
M- Jonathan Osorio | CAN / Toronto FC
M- Pedro Pacheco | POR / CD Santa Clara
M- Samuel Piette | GER / Fortuna Düsseldorf
F- Randy Edwini-Bonsu | GER / Eintracht Braunsweig
F- Marcus Haber | ENG / Stevenage FC
F- Tosaint Ricketts | NOR / Sandnes Ulf
