On Tuesday night Canada will take on Panama in a friendly match at the Estadio Rommel Fernández in Panama City. Canada will hope to build on recent positive performances against Columbia and Jamaica. In mid-October Canada lost 1-0 to Columbia, in a hard fought match at Red Bull Arena. Canada played a solid defensive game against the 3rd ranked team in the FIFA World Rankings. And in early September Canada defeated Jamaica 3-1 in Toronto. Coach Benito Floro will get a chance to build on the momentum the team has generated over the last couple of months.
Twelve MLS Players on the Roster:
Twelve players of the twenty-three player roster will be coming from MLS clubs. Benito Floro seems to be putting more faith in MLS based players, a move that eventually will no doubt pay off. Of note, Dallas FC striker Tesho Akindele turned down an invitation to join the team for the training session and game in Panama. Although Akindele has played with the U-17 Canadian team there are rumours that he is holding out for a chance to play for the American National team. The Calgary born player featured in twenty six games for Dallas scoring seven times.
Roster:
CANADA
GK- Milan Borjan | BUL / Ludogorets Razgrad
GK- Lars Hirschfeld | NOR / Valerenga
GK- Kenny Stamatopoulos | SWE / AIK
D- Nana Attakora | USA / DC United
D- David Edgar | ENG / Birmingham City
D- Doneil Henry | CAN / Toronto FC
D- Nik Ledgerwood | GER / Energie Cottbus
D- Ashtone Morgan | CAN / Toronto FC
D- Karl W. Ouimette | CAN / Impact de Montréal
D- Maxim Tissot | CAN / Impact de Montréal
M- Bryce Alderson | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
M- Kyle Bekker | CAN / Toronto FC
M- Patrice Bernier | CAN / Impact de Montréal
M- Julian de Guzman | unattached / sans club
M- Atiba Hutchinson | TUR / Besiktas
M- Issey Nakajima-Farran | CAN / Impact de Montréal
M- Jonathan Osorio | CAN / Toronto FC
M- Adam Straith | unattached / sans club
M- Daniel Stanese | GER / FC Augsburg II
M- Russell Teibert | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
F- Dwayne De Rosario | CAN / Toronto FC
F- Marcus Haber | ENG / Crewe Alexandra
F- Tosaint Ricketts | ISR / Hapoel Haifa
(http://canadasoccer.com/canada-mnt-announces-roster-for-panama-friendly-p157160)
This game will be a good challenge against a Central American team that dealt Canada a serious blow in the qualification stages for the 2014 World Cup. The weather is always a challenge as well as the hostile reception from local crowds. If Canada is to succeed next time around for the 2018 World Cup the match on Tuesday night will be a good test.
This game will finish up with 2014 friendly calendar for Canada as they get ready for 2015. In 2014 Canada has one win, two draws, and the loss against Columbia to show for their efforts. A good building block for next year with lots of young players in the lineup.
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