VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed on Tuesday that defender Marcel de Jong and midfielder Russell Teibert have been called up to the Canada Soccer preparation squad for their upcoming international friendly versus Curaçao. Whitecaps FC Residency graduates Kianz Froese and Adam Straith were also named to the 27-man squad.
- INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY: Canada vs. Curaçao - Tuesday, June 13 at 4:30 p.m. PT on TSN and RDS
De Jong and Teibert depart for camp following Saturday’s match vs. Atlanta United (2:30 p.m. PT kickoff at BC Place - tickets still available) and will not be missing any matches for Whitecaps FC
The camp and the June 13 friendly in Montreal are part of the men's national team's buildup to the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The fixture at Stade Saputo also wraps up a three-match Summer of Soccer Series in Canada, which includes a pair of women's international matches in Winnipeg and Toronto.
"We have the perfect mix of experience and youth in this squad," said Octavio Zambrano, Canada men's national team head coach. "We are looking forward to seeing how they come together on the pitch. With this camp, we have a chance to look at players for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, but also younger players that are part of our long-term plans."
De Jong, 30, has three goals in 50 appearances for Canada, and last donned the Red and White this past January, starting in their 4-2 friendly win over Bermuda.
Teibert, 24, reports to camp for the first time since the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in 2015. He has one goal in 17 international matches, scoring in the second round of the qualifiers versus Dominica in June 2015, and last appeared in the next round against Belize three months later.
From the larger group of players, Zambrano will reduce the size of his squad after an intra-squad match on June 9, with only 18-20 players dressing for the international match on June 13. After the friendly, Canada Soccer will announce their squad for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in mid-June. The 40-man consideration list for the CONCACAF Gold Cup will be announced on June 1.
SUMMER OF SOCCER IN CANADA
This summer, Canada Soccer's national teams will play in Winnipeg, Toronto and Montreal from June 8-13. The women's national team will face Costa Rica on June 8 at Investors Group Field and June 11 at BMO Field before the men's national team, in their send-off match before the CONCACAF Gold Cup, face Curaçao on June 13 at Stade Saputo.
For complete ticket and event information, fans can visit canadasoccer.com/tickets.
CONCACAF GOLD CUP
Taking place every two years, the CONCACAF Gold Cup is the official national team championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Drawing large crowds and millions of television viewers from across the region, the Gold Cup is a celebration of soccer, sportsmanship, and culture.
Canada are two-time CONCACAF champions, having won the CONCACAF Championship in 1985 and the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2000. Since the first edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 1991, Canada's best finishes are first place in 2000, and semifinal finishes in 2002 and 2007. All-time, Canada have posted a record of 15 wins, 11 draws, and 15 losses in 41 matches.
In 22 international matches since the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup‎, Canada's record is eight wins, five draws, and six losses, including most recently a 1-1 draw with Scotland on March 22, 2017.
CANADA
GK- Milan Borjan | POL / MKS Korona Kielce
GK- Maxime Crépeau | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
GK- James Pantemis | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
CB- Dejan Jaković | USA / New York Cosmos
CB- Manjrekar James | HUN / Vasas Budapest
CB- Wandrille Lefèvre | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
CB/M- Adam Straith | CAN / FC Edmonton
FB- Fraser Aird |
FB- Kwame Awuah | CAN / New York City FC
FB- Juan Córdova | CHI / CD Huachipato
FB- Marcel de Jong | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
FB- Andrés Fresenga | URU / Cerro Largo FC
FB- Tyler Pasher | USA / Sporting Kansas City
M- Tesho Akindele | USA / FC Dallas
M- Patrice Bernier | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
M- Raheem Edwards | CAN / Toronto FC
M- Kianz Froese | GER / Fortuna Düsseldorf
M- David Junior Hoilett | WAL / Cardiff City FC
M- Will Johnson | USA / Orlando City SC
M- Mark-Anthony Kaye | USA / Louisville City FC
M- Jonathan Osorio | CAN / Toronto FC
M- Samuel Piette | ESP / CD Izarra
M- Russell Teibert | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
F- Marcus Haber | SCO / Dundee FC
M/F- Anthony Jackson-Hamel | CAN / Impact Montréal
F- Cyle Larin | USA / Orlando City SC
F- Tosaint Ricketts | CAN / Toronto FC