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The Canadian U20 Men’s National Team are currently training in Puebla, Mexico and are set to take part in the 2013 CONCACAF U20 Championship, the beginning of a journey that would end with the pot of gold of qualification for the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup set to take place in Turkey later this year.
See also: Canada names U20 roster for pre-tournament camp in Mexico
In this article I’ll be taking a look at five of the key players on the Canadian squad. These are the players that will be leaned on heavily by Head Coach Nick Dasovic during a tournament that spans only two weeks, with the overall goal being getting to the semifinals and guaranteeing a place in the U20 World Cup.
1. CB – Doneil Henry
If there is one player on this squad that will be considered the ‘leader’ of what is a very young squad compared to others competing in the tournament, it will be Doneil Henry. The 19 year old central defender has elevated himself to being on the fringes of the Senior National Team by taking part in Friendly matches against Trinidad & Tobago, Denmark and USA, as well as being invited to training camps.
Henry picked up valuable experience during the 2012 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament and developed a strong partnership in central defence with Nana Attakora, with him likely being partnered this time out with one of two unknown quantities in Daniel Stanese or Manjrekar James. It’s pretty clear how important Henry is to this squad, not only for his skill but also his leadership and experience. One of the more interesting decisions yet to be made by Dasovic is who will captain the side. In my opinion, the player that makes the best case is Henry.
2. MID – Samuel Piette
In Piette this Canadian squad has a true deep lying playmaker that adds much needed balance and he will be an essential figure when deploying the counter attack, which has become a main staple of the Canadian National Team regardless of the level. He has the ability to win the ball, create space, play a pinpoint pass from distance to a player in stride and has a wicked shot, as was evident during the 2012 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying and as seen in this video during the 2012 U20 Marbella Cup against the USA.
3. MID - Keven Aleman
Keven Aleman was a central figure during Canada’s participation in the 2011 FIFA U17 World Cup and he adds a creative element that will complement the likes of midfielders Samuel Piette and Bryce Alderson very well. Partly known for the stories involving himself and TFC Academy and/or him potentially representing Costa Rica, that all seems to be behind Aleman now, as he continues his growth with Spanish La Liga side Real Valladolid. It will be intriguing to see how Coach Dasovic deploys the team to get the best out of Aleman, whether it be as a support player to the forwards or as a more traditional attacking midfielder that will be given license to go wide and provide service.
4. MID – Bryce Alderson
The third member of this midfield trio in Alderson comes into this squad as a leader and as the other potential option to wear the captain’s armband. He was the skipper for the Canadian U17 side during the 2011 FIFA U17 World Cup and he looks to be a player growing into his own. This is an important tournament for Alderson, as he has yet to truly break out with his club side the Vancouver Whitecaps FC due to a lack of playing time. Under Dasovic, he should be given free reign to create.
5. FWD – Caleb Clarke
The forward position within the squad isn’t terribly deep and it could serve as a possible selection problem depending on the formation being deployed. The three players that will be under consideration are Stefan Vukovic, formerly of TFC Academy, Anthony Jackson-Hamel of the Montreal Impact Academy and Caleb Clarke of the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Of the three players, Clarke has proven to be the most versatile, as he can play as a wide forward in a three forward system, as a forward in a pairing up top or even as a lone forward when required. In the little playing time he’s received with the Whitecaps, he did develop a good partnership with Omar Salgado in MLS Reserve League games. He currently finds himself in the same boat as Alderson and Ben Fisk, who will also be using this tournament as a proving ground and a chance to get solid playing time with the Whitecaps at the MLS level.
A couple other players that will be interesting to watch are midfielders Michael Petrasso and Dylan Carreiro, formerly of TFC Academy and currently in English Premier League side Queens Park Rangers youth system. Both also took part in the Marbella Cup and both players seem to be impressing the QPR coaching staff. Their Professional Development Coach, Steve Gallen, has said of Carreiro: “He’s an attacking midfielder and has got great close control, awareness on the ball and likes to dribble”. Gallen been quoted on Petrasso as follows: “Michael is a small, quick and dynamic winger. He wants to take people on and get crosses in”.
The success of these players in part will come down to not only formation and style of play but also how quickly they can come together, process information, train and transition from game to game. It was a similar case during the relentless schedule of the last CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament and it will be a major hurdle to overcome.
That being said, much like in that scenario, it will not be used as a crutch or excuse if the Canadian team fails to qualify.
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