His fondest memories with the Canadian soccer program remain the success he and his U-20 teammates experienced in 1997 when they advanced to the second round in the U-20 World Cup, and of course winning the Gold Cup in 2000.

After failing to qualify for the 2002 World Cup, Paul Stalteri is determined to offer his best as the team works towards qualifying for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.  Through the good times and the bad, Paul Stalteri has remained devoted to his country and feels proud each and every time he wears the number 7 for Canada. 

[more pictures from WCQ]

June 16th - Belize 0 Canada 4 - Kingston, Ontario

The Canadian National Team advanced to the Semi-Final round after beating Belize.  The top two teams in each group will advance to the final stage of World Cup Qualifying.

Group B Semi-Final Round 2004 (Three Groups of Four)

Paul Stalteri earned his 49th cap in Canada's loss to Guatemala. Guatemala opened the scoring in the 8th minute. They would later add on to the score in the 55th minute for a final score of 0-2.  In other group B action Costa Rica was defeated by Honduras 2 - 5.

Game 2 - September 4 – Canada 1 Honduras 1 – Edm, AB

Canada drew at home to Honduras at Commonwealth Stadium.  Canada scored in the 82nd minute, unfortunately that lead did not last long as a penalty was awarded to Honduras in the 88th minute to tie the match.  Canada scored another goal just moments later, but that goal was disallowed by the referee.

Paul Stalteri remained on the bench due to a minor knee injury he sustained during practice the week before the game.  He was red carded from the bench after allegations of dissent after a sequence of controversial decisions in the dying minutes of the game. 

Game 3 - September 8 – Costa Rica 1 Canada 0 – San Jose, Costa Rica

Paulo Wanchope scored in the 46th minute to put Costa Rica in the lead.

Paul Stalteri and Jason DeVos were unable to play in the match due to suspension.

Canada's World Cup Qualifying schedule

Game 4 - October 9 – Honduras 1 Canada 1 - San Pedra Sula, Honduras

Atiba Hutchinson gave Canada the lead in the 71st minute.  Just a few minutes after scoring the first goal, Canada scored again, however American referee Kevin Scott disallowed what appeared to be a legitimate goal.  Honduras was able to get a late equalizer when Delan Turcios scored in the 91st minute.

Game 5 - October 13 – Canada 1 Costa Rica 3 – Vancouver, BC

Canada took the early lead when Dwayne de Rosario scored in the 12th minute.  Unfortunately, that lead was to only remain until the 49th minute when Costa Rica scored the equalizer.  Costa Rica added an additional two goals in the 81st and 87th minute to give them the win. 

It was an extremely disappointing result as it called an end to Canada's World Cup hopes.  It is now mathematically impossible for Canada to advance to the next round.

Game 6 - November 17 – Guatemala v Canada – Guatemala City, Guatemala

For more information about World Cup Qualifying visit the Canadian Soccer Association website.

To view Paul's Profile on the Canadian Soccer Association website click on one of the following links:

• English
• French

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Canada’s Soccer team surprised the entire soccer community in February 2000 when they won Canada’s first title, the Gold Cup.  It was a team with many young players full of determination and patriotism.  A few of the players were the same players that were members of the U-20 team that represented Canada in 1997.  A team that also made history by being the first Canadian team to advance to the second round of any FIFA World Cup.  The squad coached by Holger Osieck consisted of Craig Forrest; Mark Watson, Tony Menezes, Jason deVos, Jeff Clarke, Paul Fenwick, Paul Stalteri, Richard Hastings, Jim Brennan; Martin Nash, Garrett Kusch, Carlo Corazzin, Robbie Aristodemo, Dave Xausa, Dwayne DeRosario, Elvis Thomas, Pat Onstad and Paul Peschisolido.

“We obviously had luck on our side, but we worked hard and we got better as each game went along”.  The most dramatic win of the tournament was Canada’s golden goal win over Mexico in overtime.  “That game gave us confidence and from that point forward we believed that we could win the Gold Cup”.  Paul believes that the win against Columbia was the most important win.  It showed everyone that Canada could win against one of the better sides in international football.

In the group competition Canada tied with Costa Rica and South Korea but won the coin toss in a three way tie. Canada beat Mexico 2-1 in the quarter-final and Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 in the semi-final. Canada won the CONCACAF Gold Cup in February beating Colombia 2-0 in the final.