Canada makes final preparations before Argentina match

Canada’s men’s national team will face two-time FIFA World Cup™ champion Argentina on Monday 24 May. The match kicks off at 16.30 local time in Buenos Aires, Argentina at the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti. Canadian fans can watch the match live on Rogers Sportsnet at 15.30 ET / 12.30 PT.



“Just coming in you feel the atmosphere and the passion of the fans here in Argentina,” said Canada’s Dwayne De Rosario. “You can sense it as soon as you arrive. You see signs and footballs everywhere, these people live football every day.”



The Canadian team took part in its final training session on Sunday 23 May. Following the session, Canadian coach Stephen Hart and players De Rosario, Will Johnson and Pat Onstad previewed the Canada-Argentina match on the Canadian Soccer Association’s Youtube channel.



Stephen Hart

Dwayne De Rosario

Will Johnson

Pat Onstad



“We have told the players that they will need to use all their experience in this match,” said Canadian national head coach Stephen Hart. “It is important to have some experienced players who have been through similar situations as this. They know what to expect, how they carry themselves on and off the field, and they will help some of the younger players get through the nerves.”



Canada will play in front of a sold out crowd at the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, with more than 50,000 fans expected to be in attendance. The Argentine crowd will be looking to send off the home side on a positive note. This will be Argentina’s last home match before the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.



As for Canada, it too is looking for a positive performance in this historical match in Buenos Aires. The 24 May match marks the first-ever meeting between the two national “A” teams. It is part of a two-match South American trip that will be followed by a 29 May match against Venezuela.