HALIFAX—Before Halifax’s own professional soccer team kicks off next year, an ad hoc team from the East Coast will face a seasoned European opponent in an exhibition match this weekend.

The Atlantic Selects, a team of under-23 players from around the Atlantic provinces, started practising together on Monday for the one-time matchup against Fortuna Düsseldorf.

The German team plays in the second division of that country’s professional soccer league and will be a challenging opponent for the Selects, according to their coach.

Stephen Hart was recently appointed head coach and general manager of the HFX Wanderers FC, which will join the Canadian Premier League next April. He said the Selects have embraced their twice-a-day training schedule, despite the heat and the fact that most of them are used to training only twice a week.

“They’ve come along … enthusiastically,” said Hart. “I think they are generally looking forward to the game, to match up against an outfit that are on the brink of professionalism in one of the biggest leagues in the world.”

The enthusiasm will be important, since the Fortuna players are “way ahead,” physically, said Hart.

“Their coach told me they are training 21 hours a week, 18-21 hours a week. Our players are training four,” he said, referring to the Canadian players’ typical schedules, before this week’s intense training started.

The skill difference between the Selects and Fortuna shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering the soccer records for each country.

Soccer is Germany’s most popular sport. The country’s men’s team has four FIFA World Cup wins (second only to Brazil’s five) and is currently No. 1 on the FIFA world rankings.

Canada’s men’s team is No. 79 on the same list.

Hart said his players have promise, they simply need to get out on the pitch more.

“Really and truly, our players have never been given that sort of (training) opportunity … They play in local leagues, and local leagues don't make the same demands on you as a player,” he said.

The Wanderers team roster has not been decided. Hart said the players who will take to the pitch this weekend could be considered, but it would be “up to them,” to improve their physical condition before next spring.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

“If they want it, the opportunity is there. But they have to do what is necessary between now and March to show their best,” he said.

The game is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Wanderers Grounds in Halifax. Tickets are still available.

Taryn Grant is a Halifax-based reporter and a freelance contributor for StarMetro. Follow her on Twitter: @tarynalgrant

Read more about: