Dwayne De Rosario, Julian de Guzman in Canada squad.

Toronto FC’s Dwayne De Rosario and Julian de Guzman have been named in the Canada squad to face Argentina on Monday, May 24. The duo will not play in the match against Venezuela a week later in order to be available for Toronto FC’s match in San Jose.

The official release:

Stephen Hart has selected 26 players for the training camp, 19 of whom will take part in the 24 May match against Argentina and 16 of whom will take part in the 29 May match against Venezuela.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to play these two big matches in Argentina and Venezuela," said Canada's national head Stephen Hart. "It is also terrific news that our fans at home and abroad will get to watch the matches on Rogers Sportsnet."

The 24 May match will be the first meeting between the two national sides of Canada and Argentina. ‪‪The host, a two-time FIFA World Cup™ champion, has selected Canada as one of its last opponents in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, which runs this 11 June to 11 July.

"Putting together the roster for these two matches was a challenge because of injuries and unforeseen player commitments," said Hart. "Most of the clubs, however, have been cooperative and I thank them for their understanding and support." 

The 29 May match provides Canada with a second international test against a South American opponent. Additional players will be added to the Canadian lineup for the Venezuela match.

"Venezuela has built quite a successful program in recent years," said Hart. "At home, the team has shown to be a difficult opponent for the best of South America. I expect a very good match that will be of value to our future development."

Of note, the two matches provide very different challenges for the Canadian squad. Canada will have four days to prepare for the Argentina match which is expected to be played in the cool fall weather. Canada then has three days to prepare for the Venezuela match, which is expected to be played in heat, not to mention at altitude.

These two matches will be Canada's last international matches before the world breaks to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

In the second half of the year, Canada will return to action with matches already scheduled in September and October. The two September matches - 4 September in Toronto and 7 September in Montréal - will both be played in Canada.

CANADA (v. Argentina)
1- G- Wagenaar, Josh | SCO / Falkirk
2- D- Straith, Adam | GER / Energie Cottbus
3- D- Klukowski, Mike | BEL / Club Brugge
4- D- Hainault, André | USA / Houston Dynamo
6- M- de Guzman, Julian | CAN / Toronto FC
7- D- Stalteri, Paul | GER / Borussia Monchengladbach
8- M- Johnson, Will | USA / Real Salt Lake
9- F- Friend, Rob | GER / Borussia Monchengladbach
10- M- Imhof, Daniel | SUI / St. Gallen
11- D- Hastings, Richard | SCO / Hamilton
12- D- Ledgerwood, Nik | GER / Frankfurt
13- M- Peters, Jaime | ENG / Ipswich Town
14- M- De Rosario, Dwayne | CAN / Toronto FC
15- M- Simpson, Josh | TUR / Manisaspor
16- F- Jackson, Simeon | ENG / Gillingham FC
17- F- Ademolu, Stephen | LIT / FK Ekranas
18- G- Onstad, Pat | USA / Houston Dynamo
19- D- Pacheco, Pedro | POR / Nacional
22- G- Al Shaibani, Haidar | FRA / Nimes Olympique

CANADA (v. Venezuela)
1- G- Wagenaar, Josh | SCO / Falkirk
2- D- Sidra, Eddy | GER / Energie Cottbus
3- D- Klukowski, Mike | BEL / Club Brugge
4- D- Straith, Adam | GER / Energie Cottbus
6- M- Zavarise, Gianluca | GER / Bochum
7- D- Stalteri, Paul | GER / Borussia Monchengladbach
8- M- Dunfield, Terry | ENG / Shrewsbury Town FC
9- F- Friend, Rob | GER / Borussia Monchengladbach
11- D- Hastings, Richard | SCO / Hamilton
12- M- Ledgerwood, Nik | GER / Frankfurt
14- M- McCallum, Gavin | ENG / Hereford United
15- M- Nakajima-Farran, Issey | DEN / AC Horsens
16- F- Jackson, Simeon | ENG / Gillingham FC
17- F- Ademolu, Stephen | LIT / FK Ekranas
19- M- Pacheco, Pedro | POR / Nacional
22- G- Al Shaibani, Haidar | FRA / Nimes Olympique