The Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) announced today that Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielders Philippe Davies and Russell Teibert, as well as striker Randy Edwini-Bonsu, have been called up to Canada's U-23 Olympic team for an 11-day camp in Southern California.
Head coach Tony Fonseca has selected the three Whitecaps FC Residency graduates in a 19-player squad for the camp, with most of the selected players currently based in North America. Davies and Edwini-Bonsu earn a fourth call-up to Fonseca's U-23 squad, while this is Teibert's first inclusion in the Olympic team, having recently trained with Canada's U-20 national team.
"This camp will allow us to work with our Canadian players," Fonseca told CanadaSoccer.com. "It is a critical stage for many of these players. Some are finishing university and trying to find a club to play. Others are looking to establish themselves at their clubs and earn playing time."
Davies, 20, and Teibert, 18, have been in preseason training with Whitecaps FC, ahead of the club's inaugural season in Major League Soccer. Both players have been involved in recent action with the Blue and White, including Tuesday's friendly defeat to MLS Western Conference rivals LA Galaxy in Tempe, Arizona. Edwini-Bonsu, 20, returns to the Olympic squad after making 22 appearances for Whitecaps FC during the 2010 season.
Starting Wednesday and running until Saturday, March 5, this second training camp of 2011 will include two friendly matches versus MLS opposition. Canada U-23's will face Chivas USA on Tuesday, March 1, and LA Galaxy on Friday, March 4.
Canada are preparing for next year's CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualification Tournament in the United States. The tournament will qualify CONCACAF's representatives for the 2012 London Olympics.
