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FC Edmonton's Nik Ledgerwood Selected to Canadian Roster for 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifiers

August 25, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


Canada Soccer have released their 23-man squad for the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Qualifiers in San Pedro Sula, Honduras and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The September series represents a final two-match, three-nation dash for one spot in CONCACAF's final round of qualification matches for Russia 2018, "The Hex." Among those selected is FC Edmonton midfielder Nik Ledgerwood.

Canada will face Honduras away on Friday 2 September and then El Salvador at home on Tuesday 6 September. The home match will be played at BC Place in Vancouver, with tickets available now at www.canadasoccer.com/tickets. Both matches will be broadcast on TSN and RDS, with the Friday match kicking off at 17.00 ET / 14.00 PT (15.00 local) and the Tuesday match kicking off at 22.00 ET / 19.00 PT (19.00 local).

Returning to the Canadian squad for the upcoming matches is veteran Ledgerwood, a key member of FC Edmonton's squad since signing with the team for the 2016 North American Soccer League (NASL) season.

"Nik has been so consistent for us this season," FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller stated. "He is the all around package for us and what we look for in an FC Edmonton player. His leadership skills, his quality, his attitude, his professionalism every single day is the same.

"He is fantastic to work with and willing to learn," Miller added. "He willing to do what is required to help the team and he is a great ambassador for the club. It's another great compliment for FC Edmonton that we have two great players in Nik and Shamit Shome joining the national team."

From the CONCACAF semi-final round of 12 nations, each of three groups will advance their top-two finishers to the "Hex." With Mexico already qualified, either Canada, El Salvador, or Honduras will advance as the second team from Group A on the Road to 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™. After four matches, Honduras have four points (-1 goals difference), Canada have four points (-4 goals difference), and El Salvador have two points (-5 goals difference).

"Our players have demonstrated an excellent commitment along the way," said Benito Floro, Canada Soccer's Men's National Team Head Coach. "The players trust in their capacity to achieve a place in the Hex."

Of the 23 players in camp, 19 of them have already been part of this CONCACAF semi-final round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The group features a mix of players either midway through their 2016 season or at the onset of their 2016-17 season. Added to the mix are goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, centre back André Hainault, fullback and midfielder Jamar Dixon, and striker Simeon Jackson.

"We will only have a short window with the players in late August, just a few days for practising tactical matters and preparing a positive mentality. As we have done in previous camps, we will ensure we are focused, efficient, and detailed in our work ethic so that we can continue to have a positive environment for the players."

Complete ticket information for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers can be found at CanadaSoccer.com/Tickets.

Ledgerwood and first-place FC Edmonton return to NASL action, Sunday, August 28 to take on Puerto Rico FC at Clarke Field. Kick-off in the match is set for 2:00 p.m. MT. For tickets and more information, please click HERE, call 780.700.2600 or visit www.fcedmonton.com.

ROAD TO THE 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP RUSSIA

The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ is the biggest single-sport event in the world. From 211 member associations from around the world, 32 finalists will qualify for the 32-day event that is played in 11 cities from 14 June to 15 July 2018.

Canada are amongst the 11 remaining CONCACAF nations in the hunt for a spot at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™. The remaining nations are split into three groups for the continent's 2015-2016 semi-final stage. The top-two nations in each group will advance to the final round in 2017, from which three nations qualify for Russia 2018 and the fourth team advances to an intercontinental playoff.

ABOUT FC EDMONTON

​FC Edmonton is Edmonton's professional soccer club. Founded by Edmonton entrepreneurs Tom and Dave Fath, 2016 marks the Eddies' sixth season as a member of the North American Soccer League (NASL). The 12-team league operates within Canada and the United States. For more information on FC Edmonton, please visit www.fcedmonton.com.

CANADA

1- GK- Maxime Crépeau | CAN / Impact Montréal

2- FB- Nik Ledgerwood | CAN / FC Edmonton

3- CB- Manjrekar James | HUN / Vasas Budapest

4- CB- Dejan Jaković | JPN / Shimizu S-Pulse

5- CB / M- David Edgar | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC

6- M- Jamar Dixon | CAN / Ottawa Fury FC

7- M- Simeon Jackson | ENG / Walsall FC

8- FB- Doneil Henry | ENG / West Ham United

9- F- Marcus Haber | Unattached

10- M- David Junior Hoilett | Unatached

11- M- Tosaint Ricketts | CAN / Toronto FC

12- CB- André Hainault | GER / 1. FC Magdeburg

13- M- Atiba Hutchinson | TUR / Beşiktaş JK

14- M- Samuel Piette | ESP / CD Izarra

15- CB- Adam Straith | NOR / Fredrikstad FK

16- M- Scott Arfield | ENG / Burnley FC

17- FB- Marcel De Jong | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC

18- GK- Milan Borjan | BUL / PFK Ludogorets Razgrad

19- CB- Steven Vitória | POL / Lechia Gdansk

20- FB / CB- Karl W. Ouimette | USA / Jacksonville Armada

21- F- Cyle Larin | USA / Orlando City SC

22- GK- Kenny Stamatopoulos | SWE / AIK Fotbol

23- M- Tesho Akindele | USA / FC Dallas

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