On Tuesday, interim head coach Mauro Biello named his 23 players for the Copa America playoff against Trinidad and Tobago later this month in Frisco, Texas.
“It will be a cultural reset with the group”, Biello told the media virtually on Tuesday afternoon. “What I am looking to achieve is a base in this camp and we have some strong leaders who are also young and need to learn these situations.”
What stands out from the roster is the youth and lack of experience with the only player over 30 being Jonathan Osorio from Toronto FC and the inclusion of new players like Jonathan Sirois from CF Montreal.
“For me, it’s about building a base with this group to allow our leaders to grow in these positions, and from there I will be evaluating.” - Interim Canada Head Coach, Mauro Biello
Theo Bair is also a new face on the roster and will be looking to play his first cap for country after impressing Biello with his play in Scotland where he has already scored 11 goals.
“I have been following those players very closely and Theo had a very good start to the year in 2024 and he continued to ride his momentum and he has been able to score goals but has also been very impactful in his play.”
Two notable omissions from the group are Milan Borjan and Steven Vitoria. Biello confirmed those were some very tough decisions he had to make.
“With all the respect in the world, I had a conversation with Borjan and told him I would be giving opportunities to other players and Jonathan earned the call-up with his performances and I need to continue to build this team towards the end of March and 2026.”
Biello will also be without the services of Richie Lareya and Sam Adekugbe, who are out due to injury.
“Both of them are injured and will not be in the selection.”
If Canada qualifies for Copa America they will be in a very tough group with World Cup winners Argentina, Chile, and Peru.
Canada Soccer also confirmed this week that the CanMNT will be heading to Europe this summer to face the Netherlands on June 6th in Rotterdam, the Dutch are preparing for Euro 2024 which begins June 14th.
They will also face Mexico in an international friendly on September 10th in Arlington, Texas at AT&T Stadium which is the home of the Dallas Cowboys.
Here is the full roster for the Copa America Play-in game:
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United (MLS).
Defenders: Moise Bombito, Colorado Rapids (MLS); Derek Cornelius, Malmö FF (Sweden); Luc de Fougerolles, Fulham (England); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).
Midfielders: Mathieu Choiniere, CF Montreal; Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Ismael Kone, Watford (England); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Samuel Piette, CF Montreal (MLS).
Wingers: Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Liam Millar, Preston North End (England); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS).
Forwards: Theo Blair, Motherwell (Scotland); Jonathan David, Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Jacen Russell-Rowe, Columbus Crew (MLS); Ike Ugbo, Sheffield Wednesday (England).
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