Wisconsin Soccer Central

Tosaint Ricketts (UW-Green Bay) has been in fine form for Turkish club Bucaspor.

Now the striker will look to help the Canadian national team close out what has been a disappointing year on a high note with a pair of friendlies next week in Europe.

Ricketts was one of 22 players selected by coach Benito Floro for the team's matches in the Czech Republic next Friday and Slovenia on Nov. 19.

The 26-year-old Ricketts has four goals in nine appearances in all competitions for Bucaspor, and five goals in 26 career caps for Canada. However, the Canadians have been outscored 16-1 in recording an 0-8-3 record in 2013.

On Twitter: @TosaintRicketts

• University of Wisconsin midfielder Rose Lavelle has been in several camps this year with the U.S. Under-20 women's team, which recently learned its opponents for January's CONCACAF Under-20 Women's Championship in George Town, Cayman Islands. The Americans will face Costa Rica on Jan. 9, Jamaica on Jan. 11 and Guatemala on Jan. 13 in Group A. The two finalists and the third-place finisher will earn berths in the FIFA Under-20 Women's Cup, which is Aug. 5 to 24 in Canada.