Mauro Biello names 23-player CanMNT squad for Japan friendly

Mauro Biello announced Thursday his 23-player Canadian men's national team roster for an upcoming friendly vs. Japan on October 13, available to watch here on OneSoccer.

Biello, who is serving as interim manager of the club following the departure of John Herdman to Toronto FC, named a largely-familiar squad filled with veterans like Milan Borjan and Steven Vitoria, stars Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, Stephen Eustaquio and Cyle Larin, and a few new faces like CF Montréal standout Mathieu Choiniere, Motherwell's Harry Paton and young Fulham left-back Luc de Fougerolles.

Here is the full squad:

While most of the usual stars made this latest camp roster, Club Brugge winger Tajon Buchanan did not, as he continues to recover from injury. A number of less-experienced options also failed to make the cut, as Tom McGill, Dominick Zator, Lukas MacNaughton, Scott Kennedy, Joel Waterman, Ali Ahmed, Liam Fraser, Victor Loturi, Jayden Nelson and Jacob Shaffelburg were all left out of the team travelling to Japan.

Ike Ugbo was also left off the squad, with Charles-Andreas Brym preferred as back-up to Cyle Larin or Jonathan David up top.

Still, the squad does feature some of Canada's best options, including Alistair Johnston, Kamal Miller, Richie Laryea and Sam Adekugbe in the backline, Jonathan Osorio and Ismael Kone in midfield, and Liam Millar and Junior Hoilett available off the bench where needed, too.

Canada Soccer has yet to name a permanent manager since Herdman's departure, as it's expected that a new General Secretary will need to be brought in first before a decision is made. However, Biello – who served as Herdman's assistant but is now alone in opting not to join Toronto FC – has put his name in the ring, making it clear he would "like to be a candidate."

The former CF Montréal head coach added: "I know there’s a process and I respect that but I’m going to do all I can to be the head coach of this team," he told CBC Sports reporter Devin Heroux. "I know it won’t be easy but I’m going to focus on what I can control and that at the moment is preparing the team as best I can to win games."

Canada takes on Japan on October 13 in Denka Big Swan Stadium, in Niigata, Japan, and will use the October window as part of its ongoing preparation for the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League, which serves as the qualifier for Concacaf teams participating in the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024.

You can watch Canada take on Japan live with full pre- and post-match coverage right here on OneSoccer.