Scott Arfield (red jersey) was called up to Canada for an international friendly against El Salvador to be played on October 8, 2017, in Houston, Texas, USA. (Photo courtesy of Canada Soccer)
OTTAWA -- Canada will take a 23-man squad to Houston, Texas, USA, for an international friendly at BBVA Compass Stadium against El Salvador on October 8, it was announced Friday.
It will be the fourth meeting between the sides in slightly more than two years, with the Canadians going unbeaten over that stretch, posting a 1W-2D-0L record.
“This is a timely match for Canada to face El Salvador (and) a perfect fit for our progress,” said Canada head coach Octavio Zambrano. “It is an important match as we continue to assess our program and players.”
The squad is highlighted by the inclusion of midfielder Scott Arfield, who has one goal in four games for Burnley in the English Premier League season.
Forward Cyle Larin also earned selection on the strength of scoring 12 goals in 27 Major League Soccer matches as the regular season nears its conclusion.
Four players received their first international call-ups: Louis Beland-Goyette (Montreal Impact), Caniggia Elva (VfB Stuttgart II/Germany), Milovan Kapor (Hapoel Hadera/Israel) and Kris Twardek (Millwall/England).
In five matches under Zambrano, Canada is 2-2-1, including a 2-0 win over visiting in its last outing on September 2, 2017.
ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS: Jayson Leutwiler (Blackburn Rovers/England), Simon Thomas (Bodo/Glimt/Norway)
DEFENDERS: Kwame Awuah (New York City FC/USA), Juan Cordova (Huachipato/Chile), Dejan Jakovic (New York Cosmos/USA), Milovan Kapor (Hapoel Hadera/Israel), Mark-Anthony Kaye (Louisville City FC/USA), Michael Petrasso (Queens Park Rangers/England), Adam Straith (VfL Sportfreunde Lotte/Germany), Steven Vitoria (Lechia Gdansk/Poland)
MIDFIELDERS: Fraser Aird (Dunfermline Athletic/Scotland), Keven Aleman (Saprissa/Costa Rica), Scott Arfield (Burnley/England), Louis Béland-Goyette (Montreal Impact), Raheem Edwards (Toronto FC), Caniggia Elva (VfB Stuttgart II/Germany), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC), Samuel Piette (Montreal Impact), Tosaint Ricketts (Toronto FC), Jordan Schweitzer (Orlando City B/USA), Kris Twardek (Millwall/England)
FORWARDS: Anthony Jackson-Hamel (Montreal Impact), Cyle Larin (Orlando City SC/USA)
