Organising Committee Formed in Edmonton

Ottawa, Ontario – The Canadian Soccer Association today announced the creation of a Local Organising Committee responsible for the marketing, promotion and advertising of Canada’s potential World Cup Qualifying Semi-Final Round match at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium on Sunday July 16 vs Trinidad and Tobago. Canada needs to defeat Cuba in a home and away series to advance to the semi-final round of qualifying. Canada won the first leg in Havana 1-0 on June 4 and the return game is scheduled for June 11 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The CSA also announced the Chair of the LOC is Edmonton’s John Gill, a prominent Edmonton lawyer with the firm McCuaig Desrocher who has been active in both the Alberta and Edmonton soccer communities for many years.

“We are excited about the possible return of our Men’s World Cup team to Commonwealth Stadium,” said Gill. “With a 14 game unbeaten streak and the team enjoying the title of current CONCACAF Champions, it is a great time to welcome the squad back to our City. To have the team open the semi-final round against T&T which features perhaps the finest striker in the world in Manchester United’s Dwight Yorke, is an added bonus.”

The Committee, including Alberta Soccer Association Executive Director Gary Sampley and other key soccer officials, is already at work preparing for the overall organisation of the match, which would take place on July 16. A special focus has been placed on all aspects of ticket sales for what would be the first game of the semi-final round. Should Canada advance, it would compete in home and away games against Trinidad and Tobago, Panama and Mexico.

Once the Cuba series is completed and assuming Canada emerges from this preliminary round, a media conference outlining all critical match details will be held Monday June 12 via a local press conference. The second leg of the Cuba series is set for Sunday night in Winnipeg at 7:00 p.m. MT and will be broadcast live on CTV Sportsnet.