Sporting Kansas City defender Marcel de Jong was named to the Canada Men’s National Team on Thursday, the Canadian Soccer Association announced, for two international friendlies during the FIFA match dates from March 23 to March 31.
Canada will play Guatemala on March 27 at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., before closing out the training camp against Puerto Rico on March 30 at Estadio Juan Roman Loubriel in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The two games against CONCACAF opponents serve as Canada’s final tune-ups prior to the start of 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in June and the 2015 Gold Cup in July.
De Jong — one of 22 players on head coach Benito Floro’s roster — will join Canada in Orlando, Fla., on March 22 and will miss Sporting Kansas City’s regular season match at New York City FC on March 28. The 28-year-old signed with Sporting KC earlier this month and made his MLS debut on Saturday after recording more than 225 club appearances over 10 professional seasons in the Netherlands and Germany.
De Jong has made 31 appearances for the Canada Men’s National Team with two goals since his international debut at age 21 in 2007. He has represented his country at each of the past three CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments, as well as in 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying.
– Story from Sporting KC