Saturday, May 24, 2008

De Rosario and Onstad to Compete with Canada in Soccer Friendlies

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 24, 2008) – Houston Dynamo midfielder Dwayne De Rosario and goalkeeper Pat Onstad were called up to the Canadian national team pool for upcoming international friendlies and World Cup qualifiers, the Canadian Soccer Association announced today.

The Dynamo duo will join the Canadian team in preparation for FIFA World Cup qualifying, which begins for Canada on June 15. The Canucks will face off against world power Brazil in Seattle, Wash., on May 31, and meet Panama in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on June 4 to complete their preparation. The two-game qualifying series between Canada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will take place June 15 in Kingston, St. Vincent, and June 20 in Montreal, Québec.

De Rosario has made 45 career appearances for Canada and ranks fourth all-time with 13 goals. In his most recent contest with the team, the three-time male Canadian Player of the Year scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Martinique on January 30.

During an international career lasting more than 20 years, Onstad holds a Canadian senior national team record 20 shutouts and stands second overall among goalkeepers with 52 career appearances. The netminder earned his 20th shutout in the win over Martinique.

The Canadian team will begin gathering in Seattle on Sunday, May 25, to begin training for the Brazil contest. If De Rosario and Onstad are in the squad for all four Canadian games, they could miss up to five Dynamo games.

The Houston Dynamo will face the San Jose Earthquakes in front of a national TV audience on May 22 at 9:30 p.m. CT. The Dynamo’s next home game is May 31 against the New York Red Bulls.

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