NASL FC Edmonton

Farago, Roberts, Ledgerwood Selected to Canadian Men's National Camp

Published on January 22, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


FC Edmonton goalkeeper Tyson Farago, defender Mallan Roberts and midfielder Nik Ledgerwood will attend Canada's men's senior team training camp, Jan. 25 - Feb. 6, 2016. It will be the first invite to the senior team for Farago. Eddies teammate Roberts earned his first cap in 2015, while Ledgerwood has 45 appearances to date.

Farago made two starts for the Eddies during the 2015 NASL season, impressing in both appearances. The Winnipeg native signed with Edmonton in the 2014 offseason after impressing at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) and Premier Development League (PDL) levels.

Roberts received Canadian citizenship in early 2015 and earned his first senior cap with Canada in June. The towering centre back played a pivotal role on the Eddies' back line during the 2015 NASL campaign, collecting 1980 minutes in 21 league appearances.

Ledgerwood-one of the Eddies most recent signings-has been a fixture for the Canadian national program since debuting at the youth level in 2001. The Lethbridge, Alta. native signed with Edmonton during the offseason and will make his debut in blue and white this Fall Season.

A total of 23 players will wear #CanadaRED colours for the upcoming Canadian Men's International Friendly match against USA. Canada's Men's National Team players, selected by Head Coach Benito Floro, will begin travel to camp from their respective clubs on Monday, Jan. 25 2016.

Canada will face CONCACAF neighbours USA in the Friday, Feb. 5 friendly at the StubHub Center in Carson, CA, USA, just south of Los Angeles (19.30 local). The international match will be broadcast live on TSN (22.30 ET / 19.30 PT).

The upcoming camp will continue Canada's preparations for the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifiers. The Canadian squad features a mix of experience and youth, with most players drawn from clubs based in Canada and USA whose 2016 seasons have yet to begin.

"We need to continue to put forth our best defence, our best attack, and our best set pieces in 2016," said Benito Floro, Canada Soccer's Men's National Team Head Coach. "Last year, we scored 18 goals and conceded only six, but we could have scored more through the chances we created. We need to improve our last pass and our shots on target."

The international test will help Canada prepare for two upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Mexico - at home on Friday, Mar. 25 and away on Tuesday, Mar. 29.

CANADA'S SQUAD AGAINST USA

Canada's Men's National Team first camp of the 2016 calendar year will feature four debutants - goalkeepers Tyson Farago and Callum Irving, centre back Steven Vitória, and midfielder Jamar Dixon. Goalkeepers Farago (24 years) and Irving (22) have previously featured in Canada's national youth program, while Vitória (29) and Dixon (26) are new to the program.

In goal, Farago and Irving are joined by Maxime Crépeau (21), incidentally the one other player in camp yet to make his international "A" debut. Crépeau, previously called by coach Floro in 2014 and 2015, was in goal last October when Canada's U-23 team came within a victory of qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

In all, 11 of the 23 players ply their trade in Canada, with all five Canadian professional clubs represented. Vancouver Whitecaps FC are represented by Adekugbe, Bustos, and Froese; FC Edmonton are represented by Farago, Nik Ledgerwood, and Roberts; Toronto FC are represented by Johnson; Ottawa Fury FC are represented by de Guzman; and Impact Montréal are represented by Bekker, Crépeau, and Lefèvre.

CANADA

1- GK- Maxime Crépeau | CAN / Impact Montréal

2- FB- Nik Ledgerwood | CAN / FC Edmonton

3- FB- Samuel Adekugbe | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC

4- CB- Doneil Henry | ENG / West Ham United

5- CB / M- Adam Straith | NOR / Fredrikstad FK

6- M- Julian de Guzman | CAN / Ottawa Fury FC

7- M- Iain Hume | Unattached

8- M- Will Johnson | CAN / Toronto FC

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

10- M- Kyle Bekker | CAN / Impact Montréal

11- M- Issey Nakajima-Farran | MAS / Terengganu FA

12- CB- Wandrille Lefèvre | CAN / Impact Montréal

13- M- Jamar Dixon | FIN / FF Jaro

14- M- Marco Bustos | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC

15- CB / FB- Steven Vitória | POR / Benfica

16- M- Kianz Froese | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC

17- M- Marcel De Jong | USA / Sporting Kansas City

18- GK- Tyson Farago | CAN / FC Edmonton

19- F- Caleb Clarke | Unattached

20- FB / CB- Karl W. Ouimette | USA / New York Red Bulls

21- CB- Mallan Roberts | CAN / FC Edmonton

22- GK- Callum Irving | USA / University of Kentucky

23- F- Tesho Akindele | USA / FC Dallas

FC Edmonton returns to NASL action at Clarke Field, April 10 versus Minnesota United FC. Don't miss out! Purchase your 2016 Season Tickets today by calling 780.700.2600. For more information, please visit www.fcedmonton.com.

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North American Soccer League Stories from January 22, 2016


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