Junior Hoilett (pictured) was called up for Canada's friendlies next month in Austria. (Photo: Mexsport)
OTTAWA -- Canada Soccer announced Friday a 24-man roster for a pair of men’s friendlies in Austria next month.
The Canadians will face Azerbaijan in Rohrbach an der Lafnitz on June 3 and Uzbekistan in Bad Waltersdorf four days later.
"We consider both matches will provide us with a very good test," said Benito Floro, Canada Soccer's Men's National Team Head Coach. "The European camp is important because it gives us time to practice and create new structures for our team and their communication. With every camp, they can learn and practice positive methods that will help them in the games."
The Queens Park Rangers midfield duo of Junior Hoilett and Michael Petrasso highlight the selection. Hoilett, 25, netted six times in 29 games during the recently completed English Championship season, while Petrasso – the 2015 Canadian under-20 player of the Year -- made eight appearances.
A majority of the regulars were included in the squad except midfielder/defender Atiba Hutchinson, who will address a long-standing injury after leading the Turkish Süper Lig in minutes played en route to a first-place finish with Beskitas.
Canada currently occupies third place in the fourth round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup with two Group A games left to play.
ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS: Milan Borjan (Ludogorets Razgrad/Bulgaria), Kenny Stamatopoulos (AIK/Sweden), Simon Thomas (Bodø/Glimt/Norway)
DEFENDERS: Marcel De Jong (Ottawa Fury FC), David Edgar (Birmingham City/England), Doneil Henry (West Ham United/England), Dejan Jakovic (Shimizu S-Pulse/Japan), Manjrekar James (Diósgyöri VTK/Hungary), Nik Ledgerwood (FC Edmonton), Karl W. Ouimette (New York Red Bulls/USA), Adam Straith (Fredrikstad FK/Norway), Steven Vitoria (Benfica/Portugal)
MIDFIELDERS: Tesho Akindele (FC Dallas/USA), Scott Arfield (Burnley/England), Julian de Guzman (Ottawa Fury FC), Junior Hoilett (Queens Park Rangers/England), Iain Hume (SD Ponferradina/Spain), Will Johnson (Toronto FC), Michael Petrasso (Queens Park Rangers/England), Samuel Piette (Deportivo La Coruña/Spain), Tosaint Ricketts (no club)
FORWARDS: Marcus Haber (Crewe Alexandra/England), Simeon Jackson (Blackburn Rovers/England), Cyle Larin (Orlando City SC/USA)