Canada to play first games in two years this week

The Canadian men’s national team will play their first games since the 2016 CONCACAF Championships this week when they travel to San Jose, Costa Rica for a two game set with the current regional champions.

Photo Courtesy: Futsal Canada

The 14 man roster has been set with the first match set to take place on Thursday and another on Saturday.

With the majority of national team players that featured last time around currently playing for their clubs in various indoor leagues in the United States it is no surprise that the list is heavy on younger players that are representing Canada for the first ever with a total of 11 players new to the national program.

But it also includes some familiar faces including key members of the 2016 team, Jacob Orellana and Nazim Belguendouz, as well as the return of Matthew Rios who played on the 2012 team. Goalkeepers Luigi Caruso and Khalid Ismail receive their first caps and will look to impress the coaching staff.

Last time the two nations faced each was in the opening match of the CONCACAF Championships with the hosts edging out the Reds by a 3-2 score.

Matches will be live streamed on the Facebook page of the Costa Rican Federation https://www.facebook.com/FEDEFUTBOLCR at 9pm EST Thursday January 18th and Saturday January 20th at 5pm EST.

Ousamma Laguel (QUE)
Reda Agourram (QUE)
Maxime Leconte (QUE)
Jay Tomchuk (SASK) 
Aziah Reid (ONT)
Dylan Tooby (ALB)
Matthew Rios (ONT)
Khalid Ismail (QUE)
Nicolas Gonzalez (ALB)
Diyaeddine Abzi (QUE) 
Jacob Orellana (ONT)
Luigi Caruso (ONT)
Luis Rocha (QUE)
Nazim Belguendouz (QUE) 

Head Coach: Kyt Selaidopoulos
Asst Coach: Lorenzo Redwood
Asst Coach: Mike Vitulano