Canada announces venues for 2010 men’s home matches

Canada’s men’s national team announced today the two venues at which it will play its home international friendly matches this 2010 season. Canada will play at BMO Field in Toronto on Saturday 4 September and Stade Saputo in Montréal on Tuesday 7 September. The announcement was part of a bigger press conference at which Canada outlined its plans for the men’s national team in 2010 including the confirmation of five international matches for its upcoming season.



Away from home, Canada will play Argentina in Buenos Aires on 24 May, Venezuela in Mérida on 29 May, and Ukraine at a venue yet to be announced on 8 October. On home soil, Honduras has been confirmed as the opponent for 7 September.



“This is simply an excellent opportunity for the national team and its players,” said Stephen Hart. “Playing at home is always special and I am certain both the players and Canadian fans will welcome this announcement.”



Watch the press conference in full by scrolling to the bottom of the page



Canada’s men’s national team has an all-time record of 44 wins, 17 draws and 37 losses at home. Its record in Toronto is 14-6-14, including back-to-back draws at BMO Field in 2007 and 2008. Its record in Montréal is 3-1-5, including a win and a loss at Stade Saputo.



Two of the four announced opponents – Argentina and Honduras – will be taking part in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ this summer.



“Playing quality opposition is the only way to raise standards,” said Hart. “The games will allow staff the best possible opportunity to evaluate players. By the same token, it will allow players to test themselves.”



Canada has already opened its 2010 season against Jamaica in Kingston, JAM on 30 January with an 0:1 loss. Canada’s next match is a historical one as the 24 May match against two-time FIFA World Cup champion Argentina will mark the first time that Canada and Argentina’s “A” teams face each other at the international level.



While in South America, Canada will also face Venezuela just five days later. This will mark the second match between the two countries following a 2:2 draw on 1 June 2007.



Returning home, Canada will face Honduras against whom it has compiled a record of 5-4-9 since 1980. Canada most recently faced Honduras in the quarter-final stage of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, an 0:1 loss on a penalty in the first half. One month later on 8 October, Canada will face Ukraine for the first time.



Canada is two-time CONCACAF champions at the men’s national level, having won the 1985 CONCACAF Men’s Championship and 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Those two victories qualified Canada for the 1986 FIFA World Cup™ and FIFA Confederations Cup Japan/Korea 2001. Since 2007, Canada’s head coach Stephen Hart has posted a record of nine wins, two draws and seven losses.



2010 Men’s National Team Schedule Released Part 1 of 3





2010 Men’s National Team Schedule Released Part 2 of 3





2010 Men’s National Team Schedule Released Part 3 of 3







2010 CANADA’S MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM SCHEDULE

31/01/2010 – CAN 0:1 JAM – Kingston, JAM

24/05/2010 – CAN : ARG – Buenos Aires, ARG

29/05/2010 – CAN : VEN – Mérida, VEN

04/09/2010 – CAN : TBA – Toronto, ON

07/09/2010 – CAN : HON – Montréal, QC

08/10/2010 – CAN : UKR – TBA, UKR