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With many observers calling the edition of the Canadian U-20 men’s team that is currently readying to kick off their CONCACAF U-20 Championship tournament the most talented one ever, Head Coach Rob Gale was quick to highlight the team’s depth as something that he hopes will see the squad through a successful run in a relentless competition.
“One of the things we’ve always stressed with this group is it’s going to be our strength in depth that gets us through,” Gale said via conference call on Friday. “We’ve been preparing looking ahead in our game-by-game selections which are based on form and fitness but also knowing that players won’t be able to last that many games just physically and mentally. We’re already preparing scenarios two and three games in advance of what might be best suited for the opposition and making sure we’re fresh for every game.”
“We’re looking forward to it,” Gale added. “The boys are raring to go and it’s been a preparation camp. It’s nice to have the squad finalized and settled and it’s business time. We’re ready.”
While much of the discussion in the lead up to the kick-off of the competition has centred on the big names on the Canadian roster, Gale believes that just as much as the individual quality on the squad, the Canadian team should benefit from the familiarity that the players have with each other.
“There are definitely connections now,” Gale explained. “If we looked at previous years when it was maybe just province-based, there wasn’t so much of a connection. But you look at players from western Canada all in the Vancouver academy so we’ve got Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg boys all playing together. Once characteristic I’ve had with this group in the three years I’ve had them is how well the spirit on and off the field has been. It’s a good group for that.”
“The strength of the group is building and the collective nature of it but we’ve still got a long way to go,” he continued. “But if we continue along the plan that Tony Fonseca and our national youth teams are trying to build then we should expect this to continue to blossom and improve and I think we’ll have, down the line, more players getting professional experience.”
Speaking of a couple of his players by name, Gale highlighted the experience of team captain Luca Gasparotto, who plays his club football in Scotland with Glasgow Rangers, and Cyle Larin, who is expected to go first overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, as just two of the players who bring considerable quality to his side.
“Luca’s a terrific footballer, a great character,” Gale said. “He’s got a quiet, unassuming way about himself but he does everything right to prepare himself. He’s a big game player. Obviously he’s playing first-team minutes in Europe so he’s got form and fitness. He’s an excellent example to the boys on and off the field. He’s a great teammate and leader.”
“Cyle’s a terrific lad, first and foremost,” Gale added. “He’s a very level headed kid. We’ve had some great conversations with him around the hype and maybe some of the expectation and the pressure. The great part here is he’s one of 20. We’re very realistic in the staff in that he’s a talented boy but he is yet to go through the test of professional football. He’s come through the academy environment and gone into a college environment. There’s no doubt he’s a talented footballer."
"He’s got great feet and can finish—the tools are there. But he’s going to continue to be tested. These next couple of years are going to be a great test for the lad. We’re not putting any additional pressure on him here. He’s one of 20 and we’re looking forward to his contribution. He’ll be a part of that going forward.”
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