The Canadian men’s national team will play a friendly against New Zealand in Spain on March 24
MONTREAL – Defender Michael Petrasso, as well as midfielders Samuel Piette and Raheem Edwards, have been called up by the Canadian national team to take part in an upcoming training camp that will conclude with a friendly against New Zealand, on Saturday, March 24, at Pinatar Arena in Murcia, Spain.
Petrasso, 22, has played eight games with the Canadian national team, including seven starts, mostly at right-back. He made his senior debut with the Reds at the age of 20, on June 3, 2016, against Azerbaijan. He recently took part in the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup in the United States, starting all four games during the tournament. He had previously played five games with the Canadian U23 team and represented Canada at the Concacaf U20 Championship in 2013 and 2015, and at the 2011 FIFA U17 World Cup, in Mexico.
Piette, 23, has recorded two assists in 37 games with the Canadian national team, including 23 starts. He made his senior debut with the Reds at the age of 17, on June 3, 2012, against the United States. He recently took part in the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup, starting all four games during the tournament. He had previously played in the 2013 and 2015 editions, while also appearing in several 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification games. He also represented Canada at the U17, U20 and U23 levels and played in the 2011 FIFA U17 World Cup in Mexico.
Edwards, 22, has appeared in three games with the Canadian national team, all starts, making his international debut on June 13, 2017, in a friendly game against Curaçao at Stade Saputo. He was selected for the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup, although he didn’t appear in a game. He also played two games with the Canadian U23 national team at the Pan American Games in 2015.
Striker Anthony Jackson-Hamel was also selected by the national team but had to forfeit due to injury.
This game will be Canada’s first of the 2018 international season, one which will build towards a new FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. The next edition is set to take place in 2022, in Qatar.
In 2018, Canada will participate in the new Concacaf Nations League, the new national team competition platform created to maximize the match dates presented within the FIFA international calendar. The Concacaf Nations League has been created to provide an avenue for more meaningful and quality international soccer games, while uniting the Concacaf region through competition.
