Former soccer Bear to play for Canada's National Team

by Matt Gutsch, U of Alberta Sports Information

EDMONTON - Almost one year after earning his first cap for Canada, former University of Alberta Golden Bears' soccer player Eddy Sidra will once again suit up for Canada's men's National Team during an exhibition game against Venezuela on May 29.

Sidra, an Edmonton native and graduate of Austin O'Brien High School, earned his first international cap during Team Canada's 2-1 win over Cyprus on May 30, 2009.

That match was Sidra's debut for Canada's national men's team, and at 20 years of age at the time, Sidra became Canada’s youngest starter in nearly four years.

Canada will play two exhibition games in South America, as they meet Argentina on May 24 and then Venezuela.

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It 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.

The May 29th 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.

Sidra will not dress against Argentina on May 24. Both games can be seen on Rogers Sportsnet.

After a stellar freshman campaign with the Golden Bears in 2006, the fleet-footed Sidra traveled to Germany after being contacted by FC Energie Cottbus in the German U-19 Bundesliga. He spent one season with the U-19 squad and was then promoted to the U-23 squad, appearing in 14 games during the 2008-09 season.

The 5'7" Sidra helped the Bears win their fourth National title in 2006-07 when they defeated Trinity Western University 1-0 at Foote Field in Edmonton. He scored two goals and four points while playing all 14 games during 2006-07 Canada West regular season, while notching one assist in five Canada West and CIS playoff games.

The 2006 Golden Bears' soccer rookie of the year was a member of the Alberta provincial team from 2002-05. He was also a member of the National youth team from 2004-05 before joining Len Vickery’s Golden Bears for the 2006-07 season.

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