Young Canadian soccer team told to tone it down in spirited scrimmage

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Some over-exuberance led to bruises on the Canadian national team training pitch in Arizona.

Interim coach Colin Miller told his young squad to tone it down after some take-no-prisoner tackles in a scrimmage led to an ice-bag and early exit for Andres Fresenga.

The fullback was victimized twice — first by Doneil Henry in a thumping tackle in the opposition penalty box and then by Terry Dunfield in his own penalty box.

An irate Fresenga limped off after the second challenge, throwing his shoe at the sidelines in frustration before putting an ice back on his foot.

Midfielder Emmanuel Gomez was also doing a painful dance after being caught in a tackle.

Goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld missed training for the second session in a row. He had an appointment with a chiropractor for a sore back.

Canada is preparing for friendlies Saturday against Denmark and Tuesday against the U.S.