VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed on Friday that striker Lucas Cavallini, goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau and on-loan defender Derek Cornelius have been called up to Canada’s men’s national team for upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches against Mexico, Jamaica and Panama.
Crépeau will join Canada following Vancouver’s MLS regular season home match against San Jose Earthquakes at BC Place on Saturday, October 2. Cavallini will remain in Vancouver to continue rehabbing a left knee sprain and will be eligible to join the national team camp when medically cleared. Crépeau and Cavallini will miss the ’Caps away match against Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, October 9.
“We have three tough matches including back-to-back road matches in altitude and then heat, but we want these tests, and the team is ready for them,” said John Herdman, Canada Soccer’s men’s national team head coach. “We play for Canada, and it is the fans for whom we are doing this, for those who are as passionate about this sport and country as us. We want to take this country and our fans to a FIFA World Cup, that is our mission and playing at home our fans are the difference makers.”
The first match against Mexico will take place on Thursday, October 7 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico with Kickoff set for 6:40 p.m. PT.
The second clash against Jamaica will be played at National Stadium Independence Park in Kingston, Jamaica on Sunday, October 10 with Kick-Off set for 3 p.m. PT.
The last match against Panama will be hosted by Canada at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario on Wednesday, October 13 with kickoff at 4:30 p.m. PT.
All three matches will be broadcast live on Sportsnet, as well as OneSoccer and on TELUS channel 980.
Cavallini has scored 16 goals in 27 appearances for the national team, most recently finding the back of the net for Canada on July 12 against Martinique in a 4-1 win at the 2021 Gold Cup.
Crépeau, who has kept two clean sheets for the national team this year, has 11 international caps after making his debut for Canada back on February 6, 2016 against the United States.
Cornelius, who’s currently on loan to Greek Super League side Panetolikos FC, has 13 international caps for Canada, with his last appearance coming in a 4-1 win over Barbados on January 11, 2020.
This marks the fourth time the Cavallini and Crépeau have been called up to the national team this year, after previously getting the call for matches in March, making the Gold Cup roster back in July and joining up with the team for the first round of World Cup Qualifiers in September.
Visit Canada Soccer for more details, including the full Canada MNT roster.
