Soccer

BY RYAN JOHNSTON
sportsnet.ca

It took a proactive approach from Stephen Hart to lure Canadian midfielder Dwayne de Rosario back to the national team.

De Rosario was recalled to the men's team on Thursday after a 14 month spell away in the wake of failing to qualify for the upcoming World Cup in 2010.

"Stephen (Hart) called me in November," De Rosario told sportsnet.ca. "He has great passion and really has a good idea of where the game is going on this country."

De Rosario and coach Hart have a history together as the two led Canada to a semi-final berth in the 2007 Gold Cup. But in 2009 when the Gold Cup was contested once again, De Rosario opted to skip the tournament to focus on Toronto FC.

"Last Gold Cup I was focused on Toronto FC and trying to bring success in my first year," De Rosario said. "As you know it didn't pan out, but I think the team Hart selected is strong, and I look at it as the first game towards the next qualification phase that begins next year."

Canada will play its first game under Hart as full-time coach on January 31 in Jamaica. The team lost a pair of friendlies in November when Hart was still an interim.

Now, with Hart committed, De Rosario sees the game as a chance to re-establish Canada's reputation in CONCACAF.

"It is a strong team. We need to show it on the field and start 2010 with a good result. I am definitely looking forward to being back out there."