Men’s World Cup Team to Play The USA In January

Ottawa, Ontario – Canada’s Men’s World Cup Team will play an international friendly against the United States in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on Saturday, January 18, 2003 with a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff. The US team will consist of domestic-based players (MLS) while the Canadians will mostly field a squad of those who are based in North America and those who will be on their winter breaks from their European clubs. The game is not being played on an international date.



This will be the first game played between the two countries since the semi-finals of the 2002 Gold Cup when the Americans advanced on penalties after a scoreless draw. It is the first friendly between the two countries since March 4, 1993 when the teams played to a 2-2 draw in Los Angeles. The two teams have played each other 26 times, including a 1-0 Canadian victory on November 28, 1885 in the first recorded game in the association’s history. Canada has a record of nine wins, seven draws and 10 losses against their southern neighbors.



“This game will be useful to see what some of our younger players are capable of at this level,” said Canadian head coach Holger Osieck. “It gives us opportunity to try some new things and give some playing time to those who might not normally get as much.”