Canada men's team begins new era as 1st post-Herdman squad is released

The interim head coach of Canada men's national team, Mauro Biello, included three uncapped players in the first squad to be named since John Herdman left the program to take over at Major League Soccer's Toronto FC.

CF Montreal's Mathieu Choiniere and Motherwell's Harry Paton, both of whom are midfielders, and 17-year-old Fulham full-back Luc de Fougerolles - who is also eligible to play for England - could make their first senior international appearances.

More familiar faces such as Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, and Stephen Eustaquio also feature in Biello's squad.

Canada takes on Japan in a friendly in the port city of Niigata on Oct. 13.

"This is an opportunity to bring our group together and build on our cohesion and tactical discipline," Biello said. "Japan will be a great test for us as we prepare for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal in November."

Canada is waiting to learn which national team it faces in next month's quarterfinals. Victory in that meeting will earn Canada a spot in next summer's Copa America, while defeat means a second shot at reaching the tournament via a single-game playoff against another beaten quarterfinalist.

Canada squad

Goalkeepers: Milan Borjan (Slovan Bratislava, Slovakia), Maxime Crepeau (Los Angeles FC), Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United)

Defenders: Samuel Adekugbe (Vancouver Whitecaps), Moise Bombito (Colorado Rapids), Derek Cornelius (Malmo, Sweden), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich, Germany), Luc de Fougerolles (Fulham, England), Alistair Johnston (Celtic, Scotland), Richie Laryea (Vancouver Whitecaps), Kamal Miller (Inter Miami), Steven Vitoria (GD Chaves, Portugal)

Midfielders: Mathieu Choiniere (CF Montreal), Stephen Eustaquio (FC Porto, Portugal), Ismael Kone (Watford, England), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC), Harry Paton (Motherwell, Scotland), Samuel Piette (CF Montreal)

Attackers: Charles-Andreas Brym (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands), Jonathan David (Lille, France), Junior Hoilett (Vancouver Whitecaps), Cyle Larin (Mallorca, Spain), Liam Millar (Preston North End, England)