Vancouver Whitecaps FC, in conjunction with the Canadian Soccer Association, announce that defender Adrian Cann has been selected to Canada’s men’s national team’s 19-player roster for the two-match series against Saint Vincent & the Grenadines. The fixtures against Saint Vincent & the Grenadines are part of Stage II of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Qualifiers.
Cann made his senior international debut in a 1-0 friendly win over Martinique on January 30, 2008. During that same national team camp, the six-foot-three, 187-pound defender, played in a 2-0 friendly win over the Danish club Vejle Boldklub in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, four days later. More recently, Cann has been part of a national team camp since May 25. He dressed, but did not play, in the 3-2 loss against Brazil on May 31, in Seattle, Washington, and played the second half of Canada’s 2-2 draw with Panama on June 4, in Sunrise, Florida.
Cann has been a mainstay in the heart of the Whitecaps back-line since his introduction to the club in March of 2006. In 2007, he lead the Whitecaps in minutes played and started all but one of the 28 regular season games. For his efforts, he was named the team’s Defender of the Year. Prior to the start of this season, the centre-back was named team captain. Cann, who was born in Toronto, Ontario, but raised in Thornhill, Ontario, has played 61 matches for Vancouver, scoring one goal and adding two assists in 4,846 minutes of action.
Canada's men's national team is currently training in Sunrise, Florida, and leaves for Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, this Thursday, June 12. Canada will play the first of two matches at Kingstown, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines on Sunday, June 15, with the return leg on June 20 at Stade Saputo in Montreal. Canada must win its two-match set to advance to Stage III of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Qualifiers (August to November 2008).
The Whitecaps will embark on a two-game road trip tomorrow, with the first game this Friday, June 13, against Rochester Rhinos (5:00 p.m. PT – TV: Fox Sports World Canada). On Tuesday, June 17, the Whitecaps will play their first match in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship against Montreal Impact at Stade Saputo (4:30 p.m. PT).
The Whitecaps next home match at Swangard Stadium is a doubleheader on Sunday, June 22. The women will host W-League Western Conference leading Pali Blues at 4:00 p.m. PT. In the nightcap, the men will battle Miami FC Blues at 7:00 p.m. PT. Call 604.669.WAVE (9283) for information, or buy tickets at ticketmaster.ca.
