Hainault joins U23 National soccer team Andrew Hainault, right, will play on the U-23 Canadian national team during the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer.       HUDSON - Former Hudson resident Andrew Hainault was called up to the Canadian U-23 soccer team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup and is currently training with the Canadian national squad in Los Angels. The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) is the continental governing body of professional soccer in North America. The tenth annual CONCACAF Gold Cup takes place from July 3 to July 26 in the United States, and Hainault will be representing his country on the defensive line. "He's right in his element right now," his father Erik Wagner said last week. Hainault was transferred to the Houston Dynamo this season, securing an international transfer certificate from his former Czech team, SIAD Most, on April 14. Dynamo are first in the Major League Soccer standings, losing their 11 game unbeaten streak last week to David Beckham's LA Galaxy. Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear received a call from U-23 national interim head coach Stephen Hart a few weeks ago asking if Hainault could break from his season with Dynamo to play with the Canadian squad. "The coach said he's done more than enough to represent his country, and would not jeopardize his starting position," Wagner said Friday. Hainault is in his prime right now, consistently on Dynamo's starting line and playing in any position on the defensive line. "He's had a rough time in the past with clubs trying to get a starting position, and since he's been with Houston and he's played every minute," his father said. Unfortunately, two defenders on Dynamo sustained injuries recently, opening up their back line in Hainault's absence. Hainault began his professional career with Montreal Impact in 2004, and played three competitive games for the team prior to signing with his former Czech team. Hainault played 46 games for Most in the Gambrinus liga and the Czech 2 Liga, spending a brief time on loan with Sparta Prague before returning to North America for this season. Hainault will likely play centre-back for the Canadian squad, but plans could change. This will be Hainault's sixteenth appearance with the national team, having played with the club since he was 15 years old. Hainault grew up in Hudson, attended Vaudreuil Catholic High School and and played soccer with the Hudson Hawks for several years.