Canada to Host Honduras

Ottawa, Ontario – The Canadian Soccer Association today announced its men’s World Cup team will play an international friendly at the Winnipeg Soccer Complex in Winnipeg, Manitoba on May 30, 2000.

The CSA also announced Canada’s World Cup Qualifying playoff home game, against the runner-up of Caribbean Group 1, will be played in Winnipeg in June. A coin toss between the two countries will determine who hosts the first game of the home and away playoff series, with the winner advancing to the semi-final round.

Canadian head coach Holger Osieck was pleased with the announcement. “I was very impressed with the venue, fans and organization during the Pan Am Games and I’m looking forward to bringing the national team to Winnipeg. Hopefully we will be able to get strong support from the people there.”

Organizers in Winnipeg were able to add seats to the facility to accommodate an international game, increasing the capacity to 10,000. “We are extremely pleased with the return of international soccer to Winnipeg,” said Frank Capasso, President of the Manitoba Soccer Association. “We are excited to have the World Cup team play in Manitoba. We have been waiting a long time for the national team to play here and finally it has happened. It’s great for the soccer community here and they are behind us 100%. The exposure generated by the team is at a new level and we can’t wait to host this event.”

Canada and Honduras have faced each other 11 times in international competition. The Canadians have a 4-5-2 record against their Central American opponents.

“We are delighted to be staging these games in Winnipeg,” said CSA President Jim Fleming. “Following the success enjoyed by organizers of the Pan Am Games, we began to look at the city as a possible site for international soccer and thanks to the hard work of the Manitoba Soccer Association and city officials we were able to reach an agreement.”