Canada announces international friendly with the United States

OTTAWA (ONTARIO) – Canada’s women’s national team will face the United States in an international friendly on 12 May at the Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, TX. It will be the first 2007 contest between the two North American rivals.



“It’s time to play them again, this time as a warm-up for a major event: the FIFA Women’s World Cup China 2007,” says coach Even Pellerud. “Come kick-off time, the rivalry will be there as always.”



Canada and the United States last faced off against each other in the Gold Cup final on 26 November. The United States won the match 2:1 on a penalty kick in extra time. By reaching the final, both teams qualified for the Women’s World Cup China 2007. At the last Women’s World Cup in 2003, Canada finished fourth overall in the 16-team finals held in the United States. In 2006, Canada posted 10 wins, four draws and three losses in 17 games.



“We will have spent considerable time together in our residency camp during the winter and spring months before the 12 May friendly,” says Pellerud. “Our players must prove to the coaching staff that they belong on the final roster for the World Cup, so each international match performance will count highly towards our final decisions.”



The FIFA Women’s World Cup China 2007 takes place Sep. 10-30 in Wuhan, Chengdu, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Tianjin.