Abbotsford soccer coach Colin Miller has been named interim head coach of the Canadian senior men's national team.
Miller will lead the Canadian side into its first camp of 2013, Jan. 19-30 in the United States, during which the team will face Denmark (Jan. 26) and the U.S. (Jan. 29) in a set of international friendly matches.
It's the second stint for Miller as interim bench boss of the men's team – he served the same role in 2003 and 2004.
It's also the second coaching gig Miller has landed within the past month. He was hired as head coach of FC Edmonton of the North American Soccer League in December, and starts that job in February.
“It has always been a privilege to represent Canada as a player, team captain and coach, and I look forward to taking on the role of interim head coach for a second time,” said Miller, 48. “I am honoured to have been selected by the Canadian Soccer Association, and thank FC Edmonton’s organization, particularly owner Tom Fath, for its support.”
Miller made his international playing debut for Canada at age 18. He represented Canada on numerous occasions, notably at the 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico, three CONCACAF/FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (1990, 1992-93, 1998) and three CONCACAF Gold Cups (1991, 1993, 1996), and became the eighth footballer to reach 50 appearances for Canada in 1996. He was inducted to the Soccer Hall of Fame (Canada) in 2005.
His coaching career includes two stints as head coach of the Abbotsford Soccer Association (now known as Magnuson Ford Mariners FC), along with assistant coaching gigs with Derby Country of the English Premier League and the Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer.