Monday, June 10, 2002

Ottawa, Ontario - Canada's Women's Under-19 Team will continue The Road to the World Championship with a combination of games against Mexico, Chinese Taipei and Brazil as they continue their preparations for the FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship.

Fresh off their three-game sweep of Italy, the Canadians will now focus on their three-game series against Mexico, beginning July 1 in Saint John, New Brunswick. The teams will then travel to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island for a game on July 3 and then on to Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia for the final game on July 5. Soccer Nova Scotia reported today the game in Wolfville sold out in 72 hours with 2050 tickets sold and further requests for 2351 tickets unfortunately turned down due to seat limitations.

"This series of games against Mexico will be a step up in class from the Italy games in Ontario," said Canadian head coach Ian Bridge. "Mexico has a program that is making great improvements both at the senior and U-19 Women's level. We will need to be strong and well organized against Mexico's fast, skillful team. I also look forward to bringing our U-19 Women's team to the Maritimes where I know the support and interest in these games will be tremendous. In particular, the game on Canada Day, July 1 in Saint John will be an exciting soccer day for New Brunswick."

The Canadians will face Asian qualifiers Chinese Taipei in a two-game series in British Columbia in late July. The first game will be played at Centennial Stadium in Victoria on July 28. Victoria will host Group C during the championship with participants England, USA, Australia and Chinese Taipei. The second game will take place at Swangard Stadium in Vancouver on July 31. Vancouver will play host to Brazil, France, Germany and Mexico in Group B during the tournament.

Canada's final warm-up game will be against South America qualifiers Brazil at Foothill Stadium in Calgary, home of the A-League's Calgary Storm.

The FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship takes place from August 17 - September 1 in Edmonton, Victoria and Vancouver.

The Road to the World Championship Games:

Monday, July 1 vs Mexico - Jeux Canada Games Stadium, Saint John, NB 6:00 p.m. local time $6.00 general admission (506-849-4183)
Wednesday, July 3 vs Mexico - MacAdam Field, UPEI, Charlottetown, PEI 6:45 p.m. local time $6.00 adult/$4.00 youth (902-368-6251)
Friday, July 5 vs Mexico - Raymond Field, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS 6:30 p.m. local time SOLD OUT
Sunday, July 28 vs Chinese Taipei - Centennial Stadium, Victoria, BC 4:00 p.m. local time TBA
Wednesday, July 31 vs Chinese Taipei - Swangard Stadium. Vancouver, BC 7:30 p.m. local time TBA
Sunday, August 11 vs Brazil - Foothills Stadium, Calgary, AB 4:00 p.m. local time TBA