SASKATCHEWAN (CBC) - The Canadian men's national team will have the pleasure of trying to shut down Kaka, the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year, when it takes on Brazil in an exhibition game later this month.
Brazilian coach Dunga has named a host of European-based stars to his roster, including AC Milan playmaker Kaka, for the game against Canada on May 31 in Seattle. Brazil will also play Venezuela in Foxboro, Mass., on June 6
The 25-man Brazilian roster includes midfielders Gilberto Silva (Arsenal) and Anderson (Manchester United), and forwards Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Robinho (Real Madrid) and Alexandre Pato (AC Milan).
Pato played for Brazil at last summer's FIFA U-20 World Cup staged in Canada.
Brazil currently sits in second place, behind Argentina, in the FIFA world rankings. Canada is tied for 62nd with Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Canada sports an 0-1-2 record against Brazil, earning a 0-0 draw at the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup in Japan, and battling to a 1-1 stalemate in Edmonton in 1994.
Canada, coached by Dale Mitchell, will use the Brazil game and a June 4 exhibition contest against Panama in Florida as tune-ups for its two-game World Cup qualifying playoff with No. 145 St. Vincent and the Grenadines on June 15 and 20.
Canada must win that series in order to advance to the next round of the World Cup qualifying round.
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