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Canada sets roster for final World Cup qualifer
Last Updated: Friday, November 14, 2008 | 2:16 PM ET Comments2Recommend13
CBC Sports
Canadian soccer coach Dale Mitchell picked several MLS players for his latest
squad. (Graham Hughes/Canadian Press)
Canadian men's soccer coach Dale Mitchell announced his roster Friday for the team's final FIFA World Cup qualifier next week in Jamaica.
The match on Wednesday in Kingston is essentially meaningless for the Canadians, who were eliminated from contention in CONCACAF Group 2 after a 2-1 loss to Honduras on Sept. 6 in Montreal.
That defeat dropped Canada to 0-2-3, assuring the team of finishing last in the four-team group.
Mexico leads with a 3-1-1 record, followed by Honduras (3-0-2) and Jamaica (2-1-2). The top two squads advance to the final round of qualifying, a six-team round-robin from which the top three teams earn a spot in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The Jamaicans can still move on, but they need Mexico to defeat Honduras in San Pedro on the same day they play Canada.
Captain Paul Stalteri will lead Canada into the Jamaica game. His 73 caps are the third-most in team history.
Jackson named to team
At the other end of the spectrum, Simeon Jackson was named to the national team for the first time.
Former Canadian U-20 players of the year David Edgar and Asmir Begovic are also hoping to see their first game action, though both have been on the Canadian roster before.
There will be some professional experience on the roster. Toronto FC's Kevin Harmse and the Vancouver Whitecaps' Charles Gbeke have both been called back, along with the Impact's Sandro Grande.
Grande, who helped Montreal win the Canadian Champions League and advance in CONCACAF Champions League competition, hasn't played for Canada since 2006.
Will Johnson's participation depends on his club's semifinal match in the Major League Soccer playoffs Saturday.
Should Real Salt Lake defeat the New York Red Bulls, Johnson will miss the Canadian match to play in MLS Cup the following weekend.
Iain Hume had been selected to the squad before suffering a skull fracture in an English League Championship match Nov. 8.
Patrice Bernier, Julian de Guzman and Adrian Serioux were all unavailable due to injuries while Michael Klukowski and Tomasz Radzinski were unavailable due to suspensions.
Canada's all-time record against Jamaica is six wins, five draws and two losses.
Last Updated: Friday, November 14, 2008 | 2:16 PM ET Comments2Recommend13
CBC Sports
Canadian soccer coach Dale Mitchell picked several MLS players for his latest squad. (Graham Hughes/Canadian Press)
Canadian men's soccer coach Dale Mitchell announced his roster Friday for the team's final FIFA World Cup qualifier next week in Jamaica.
The match on Wednesday in Kingston is essentially meaningless for the Canadians, who were eliminated from contention in CONCACAF Group 2 after a 2-1 loss to Honduras on Sept. 6 in Montreal.
That defeat dropped Canada to 0-2-3, assuring the team of finishing last in the four-team group.
Mexico leads with a 3-1-1 record, followed by Honduras (3-0-2) and Jamaica (2-1-2). The top two squads advance to the final round of qualifying, a six-team round-robin from which the top three teams earn a spot in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The Jamaicans can still move on, but they need Mexico to defeat Honduras in San Pedro on the same day they play Canada.
Captain Paul Stalteri will lead Canada into the Jamaica game. His 73 caps are the third-most in team history.
Jackson named to team
At the other end of the spectrum, Simeon Jackson was named to the national team for the first time.
Former Canadian U-20 players of the year David Edgar and Asmir Begovic are also hoping to see their first game action, though both have been on the Canadian roster before.
There will be some professional experience on the roster. Toronto FC's Kevin Harmse and the Vancouver Whitecaps' Charles Gbeke have both been called back, along with the Impact's Sandro Grande.
Grande, who helped Montreal win the Canadian Champions League and advance in CONCACAF Champions League competition, hasn't played for Canada since 2006.
Will Johnson's participation depends on his club's semifinal match in the Major League Soccer playoffs Saturday.
Should Real Salt Lake defeat the New York Red Bulls, Johnson will miss the Canadian match to play in MLS Cup the following weekend.
Iain Hume had been selected to the squad before suffering a skull fracture in an English League Championship match Nov. 8.
Patrice Bernier, Julian de Guzman and Adrian Serioux were all unavailable due to injuries while Michael Klukowski and Tomasz Radzinski were unavailable due to suspensions.
Canada's all-time record against Jamaica is six wins, five draws and two losses.
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