The Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) announced today that Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder
Terry Dunfield
has been called up to Canada's men's national team as a member of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup roster.
"I’m honoured to be part of Canada’s squad for the CONCACAF Gold Cup," said Dunfield. "I can’t wait to join up with the boys and hopefully bring back some silverware from the tournament. There are some very talented individuals in the squad, who’ve had good seasons with their clubs. Hopefully, we get it right in this competition and the tournament can help us build towards World Cup qualifying. I think we’ve got the talent and the individuals to be very competitive in the Gold Cup next month."
The 20-player roster will represent Canada in this June's biennial regional championship, which will be played across the United States. Prior to the Gold Cup, Canada will play Ecuador in a friendly at Toronto's BMO Field on Wednesday, June 1.
Drawn in Group C, Canada will open its 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign against arch-rivals and tournament hosts United States at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Tuesday, June 7. They then face Guadeloupe at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday, June 11, before wrapping up the group stage against Panama at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas, on Tuesday, June 14.
Dunfield, 29, joined Whitecaps FC last season and has started all 10 of his appearances this season for 862 minutes of action, scoring two goals and adding three assists. Prior to joining Whitecaps FC, the 5-foot-10, 165-pound central midfielder was a member of English League Two clubs Bury FC, Macclesfield Town FC, and Shrewsbury Town FC after being part of the youth set-up at English Premier League giants Manchester City FC, where he made one appearance with their first team.
Internationally, the native of Vancouver, BC, has appeared for Canada at both youth and senior international level. His first senior international cap came on May 29, 2010, as Canada earned a 1-1 friendly draw in Venezuela. Dunfield also started in Canada's 2-1 friendly win over Honduras in Montreal, Quebec, on September 7, 2010.
Dunfield will join Stephen Hart's Canadian squad in Toronto, Ontario, on Sunday, May 29. As a result, the midfielder will miss at least three away matches for Whitecaps FC in Major League Soccer. They include the June 1 contest at Chivas USA, the June 4 clash at Real Salt Lake, and the June 11 Cascadia Cup match-up at Seattle Sounders FC.
The Gold Cup is the official regional championship of the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football. The 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup also serves as the official qualification tournament for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.
