Canada overpowers USA 4-2 in Para Soccer friendly
Posted on 1 December 2011 in Para Soccer
Para Soccer Team
Canada's Para Soccer Team defeated USA 4:2 to open a three-match friendly series against the Americans in Chula Vista, CA.
The match was Canada's first game since being eliminated from qualifying for the 2012 Paralympic Games at the CP-ISRA World Championship in the Netherlands in June and the team proved that it was perfectly ready to move forward to the next chapter of its journey in international football.
Striker Trevor Stiles scored two goals for Canada while Dustin Hogdson and Sean Freeman chipped in with a goal each as the Canadians simply proved to be too much for the Americans to handle on the day.
"This was a great result for the players and the staff," said Head Coach Drew Ferguson after the match. "Every player on the field gave their all and they were rewarded for their efforts."
Remarkably, Canada managed to defeat a respected American side that will take part in the Paralympic Games this summer in London while fielding a youthful squad that featured four players getting their first appearances.
Liam Stanley of Victoria, BC became one of the youngest players ever to feature in a senior Canadian team by starting the 1 December match against USA at age 14.
"Liam played with the maturity of a 25-year-old," said Ferguson.
Stiles, Freeman and goalkeeper Yuri Woodfall also made their debuts for Canada.
Canada will take on USA twice more in Chula Vista on 2 December and 3 December before closing out their 2011 season.
Drew Ferguson's Para squad has been training in Southern California since 28 November.
