VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC forward Lucas Cavallini has been called up to Canada's men's national team for a pair of international friendlies set to be played in Europe in preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. On-loan defender Derek Cornelius has also been called up to the squad.
Cavallini will join up with the national team on September 18 and return to Vancouver ahead of the club's final regular season home match of 2022 against Austin FC on October 1.
“Being our first trip outside of Concacaf and first games against non-Concacaf nations since the journey started back in 2018, we will learn a lot in these moments,” said John Herdman, Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team Head Coach. “Both opponents present different type of tests and with the quality of Uruguay we will see and feel first-hand the intensity of that next level opponent.”
Canada will open up the international window with a clash against World Cup hosts Qatar at Franz Horr Stadium in Vienna, Austria on Friday, September 23. Kick off is set for 10 a.m. PT.
In the second match, Canada will face Uruguay on Tuesday, September 27 at National Football Stadium (Tehelné pole) in Bratislava, Slovakia. Kick off is set for 9 a.m. PT.
Canada’s September matches will be broadcast live on OneSoccer, available as a linear channel on Telus’s Optik TV (Channel 980) as well as online at OneSoccer.ca, through the OneSoccer app and on the fuboTV Canada platform.
Cavallini, 29, has scored 17 goals in 32 appearances for the national team, with five of those goals coming in World Cup Qualifying.
This season, El Tanque has tallied eight goals as well as two assists in 20 starts and 26 appearances across all competitions for the 'Caps.
Currently on loan at Greek side Panetolikos FC, Cornelius has made 14 appearances for Canada, with his last appearance coming on October 11, 2021 when he helped Canada keep a clean sheet against Jamaica in a 0-0 draw.
