England-based forward Marcus Haber (red jersey) was called up for Canada's international friendly against Ghana, which will be played in Washington, D.C., on October 13, 2015. (Photo: Mexsport)
OTTAWA -- Canada named Friday a 24-player roster for its international friendly against Ghana on October 13 in Washington, D.C., at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium.Â
The selection features a combination of experience and new faces highlighted by the introduction of 25-year-old midfielder Junior Hoilett, who committed his international future to the North American nation late last month.Â
"It is always important to provide an opportunity to new players to be integrated into the team from a tactical and social point of view," said Canada head coach Benito Floro. "To be part of future camps and our journey to Russia 2018, it was essential we brought them into our program this month for the Ghana match."Â
After overcoming Belize (agg: 4-1) to advance in CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the Canadians will open the fourth round against visiting Honduras on November 13 in Vancouver.Â
"Things are progressing well on all fronts and we now look forward to our next challenges," Floro added. "We will continue to focus on our key objectives and the required performance standards for the team moving into the next stage of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers."Â Â
CANADA ROSTER
(International friendly: October 13, 2015, neutral v Ghana)Â
GOALKEEPERS: Milan Borjan (Ludogorets Razgrad/Bulgaria), Kenny Stamatopoulos (AIK/Sweden), Simon Thomas (Strommen/Norway)Â
DEFENDERS: Samuel Adekugbe (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Manuel Aparicio (Toronto FC II), Nana Attakora (San Antonio Scorpions/USA), Marcel De Jong (Sporting Kansas City/USA), David Edgar (Sheffield United/England), Andre Hainault (FC Magdeburg/Germany), Manjrekar James (Diósgyöri VTK/Hungary), Wandrille Lefevre (Impact de Montréal), Karl W. Ouimette (New York Red Bulls/USA), Adam Straith (Fredrikstad/Norway)Â
MIDFIELDERS: Fraser Aird (Rangers FC/Scotland), Kyle Bekker (Impact de Montreal), Marco Bustos (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Kianze Froese (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Junior Hoilett (Queens Park Rangers/England), Tosaint Ricketts (Boluspor/Turkey), Maxim Tissot (Impact de Montreal)Â
FORWARDS: Lucas Cavallini (Fenix/Uruguay), Marcus Haber (Crewe Alexandra/England), Jordan Hamilton (Toronto FC), Simeon Jackson (Barnsley/England)