Canada’s Women to Play Sweden, USA, China, and France this Summer

Ottawa, Ontario – The Canadian National Women’s team have six International Friendlies lined up over the next few months as Even Pellerud’s squad continues to prepare for the CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament in November of this year. The tournament will determine the CONCACAF representatives (2.5 teams) for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in China.



Canada will begin their busy two months in Blaine, MN where they are scheduled to play against Sweden on July 18, 2006. The match will be a part of the Schwan’s USA Cup festivities and will follow the Sweden vs. USA game scheduled for July 15. Tickets for the matches can be purchased through the Schwan’s USA Cup organizers – 763-717-3239 – or at nscsports.org and US Soccer’s official website at ussoccer.com.



The Canadians will then travel to Cary, NC for a clash with their CONCACAF rivals, USA, on July 30. Tickets for this game can still be purchased online at ussoccer.com, at all Cary, NC area Ticketmaster outlets (including Hechts, FYE, and Publix Stores) and by phone at (919) 834-4000. Groups of 15 or more can purchase tickets by logging onto ussoccer.com or calling (312) 528-1290.



This will mark the 36th time (3 wins, 3 draws, 29 losses) Canada and the USA have met since their first encounter in 1986, easily the most of any Canadian opponent (China and Brazil are second with 13 matches).



Two weeks later, Pellerud’s squad will gather in St. John’s, NF for a two-game series against perennial Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifiers, China. The two matches will take place on August 19 and 22 at the King George V Stadium. The opening game (August 19) of the two-game series will kickoff at 16:00 (local time) and the second match (August 22) will kickoff at 17:30 (local time).



Tickets for the matches in St. John’s will be $20.00 for Adults and $15.00 for Youth. A pass for both matches of the two-game series can be purchased for $30.00 for Adults and $20.00 for Youth and can be obtained by calling the Newfoundland & Labrador Soccer Association (NLSA) at 709-576-0601. All tickets will be General Admission.



Canada will then close out August in Europe with two friendlies scheduled against France on August 26 in Rouen and on August 29 in Dieppe.



The French are currently second in their UEFA Qualifying Group, three points adrift of current leaders England, with only two games to play – both those games are at home and the last of the two is a mouth-watering clash against England set for September 30 that may decide the winner of Group 5.



Match Information (all times are local)

July 18 – CANADA vs. Sweden – National Sports Center, Blaine, MN – 19:30

July 30 – CANADA vs. USA – SAS Soccer Park, Cary, NC – 13:00

August 19 – CANADA vs. China – King George V Stadium, St. John’s, NF – 16:00

August 22 – CANADA vs. China – King George V Stadium, St. John’s, NF – 17:30

August 26 – CANADA vs. France – Rouen, France – 18:00

August 29 – CANADA vs. France – Dieppe, France – 19:00