Canada MNT camp progresses in San Diego

It has been a positive opening week to kick off the 2016 calendar year for Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team. The Canadian selection, preparing for a Men’s International Friendly match on Friday 5 February, has been based in San Diego, CA, USA for the last week of January.

Canada will face CONCACAF neighbours USA in the Friday international match at the StubHub Center in Carson, CA, USA, just south of Los Angeles (19.30 local). The international match will be broadcast live on TSN (22.30 ET / 19.30 PT).

The Canadian camp, which runs from 25 January to 6 February 2016, will continue Canada’s preparations for the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Qualifiers. The Canadian squad features a mix of experience and youth, with most players drawn from clubs based in Canada and USA whose 2016 seasons have yet to begin.

The camp has allowed head coach Benito Floro and staff to continue the positive work with their pool of players. Included in this group of 23 players are four debutants: goalkeepers Tyson Farago and Callum Irving, centre back Steven Vitória, and midfielder Jamar Dixon. Also included in the mix is centre back Doneil Henry, who missed international duty in 2015 while recovering from injuries.

Last year, Canada played 14 international matches, the most in a calendar year since 2000. Canada posted six wins, six draws, and two losses, with 18 goals scored and just six goals conceded.

In the CONCACAF semi final-round of FIFA World Cup™ Qualifiers, Canada posted a home win and an away draw to open the six-match stage. The four-nation group continues with matches in March and September, with only the best two advancing to the CONCACAF hexagonal final phase (“The Hex”) after the 2015-16 series.

Canada’s February opponent is USA, who in 2015 posted 10 wins, four draws, and six losses in 20 international matches. USA opened their 2016 international calendar with a 3:2 win over Iceland on 31 January.

Canada and USA have drawn 0:0 in their last two encounters (3 June 2012 in Toronto and 29 January 2013 in Houston).

UPCOMING 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP™ QUALIFIERS
The February international test will help Canada prepare for two upcoming FIFA World Cup™ Qualifiers against Mexico – at home on Friday 25 March and away on Tuesday 29 March. The home match on 25 March will be played at BC Place in Vancouver, BC, with tickets available at migmultidev-canada-soccer.pantheonsite.io/tickets. The lower bowl has already been sold, with more than 30,000 spectators expected for the all-important international encounter.

Great seats are available in the upper bowl starting as low as $25 (plus applicable fees) and fans are encouraged to act fast to ensure they secure their place as a member of Canada’s 12th man. The popular ‘Me+3’ offer will remain available in select sections, available directly via Tickmaster.ca by selecting the ‘Me+3’ offer.

Group discounts will continue to be offered, with groups of 10 or more eligible to receive discounts of up to 30% off regular priced tickets.