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After dominating an overmatched Dominica squad in two matches in June, the Canadian Men’s National Team will now face the biggest test to date of the Benito Floro era as Canada will kick off their first CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament under the Spanish gaffer on Wednesday against El Salvador.
With the Canadian squad heading into the tournament on a positive run of form, in good spirit and with a pair of confident wins in World Cup qualifying to their credit, an improved run in the 2015 Gold Cup compared to previous editions would certainly go a long way towards building confidence in both the players and their supporters as the squad looks to achieve its ultimate aim of qualifying for the Russia 2018 World Cup.
However, as much as Canada looks to be national team in ascendance, many questions hang over the team as it faces off against the top teams in the CONCACAF region in competitive matches for the first time under the leadership. Will young players such as Cyle Larin, Russell Teibert and Samuel Piette be able to duplicate their very impressive recent form against the top teams in the region? Will the Canadian team be able to overcome the absence due to injury of Canada’s best player Atiba Hutchinson? Is there enough experience and leadership present for a team that has seen long-time national team stalwarts such as Kevin McKenna and Dwayne De Rosario retire from International duty?
So as we count down to Wednesday’s kickoff, we asked a number of RedNation soccer analysts to give us their thoughts and predictions on how they think the tournament will unfold for Canada.
Aaron Nielsen:
What are your expectations for Canada at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup?
This is a difficult question to answer as I think generally CONCACAF as a region has improved over the past few years, although I also feel this is the best Canada team for a few years as well. Like in the games against Dominca, I think the success of the three forwards will be key. Ricketts, Larin and Alkindele will have a big influence on how Canada does, although with Jackson and Haber also in the squad I'm not sure if Floro will be ambitious and give the more senior players minutes instead.
I wouldn't be surprised with an early exit or the team making it to the semi-finals, although I will be surprised if they were able to beat the United States or Mexico.
Prediction for Group B
I have feeling Group B might be a toss-up and Canada may need a result against Costa Rica in the game in Toronto to advance. Jamaica has been improving and a strong showing at the recently completed Copa America should give them confidence. Costa Rica was the surprise team in the last Word Cup but not having Keylor Navas and a number of injured defenders could hurt them. El Salvador is also improving and has interesting players such as Alexander Larin and Dustin Corea, although they should be the odd team out in terms of qualifying to the next round in the tournament.
Breakout player for Canada
Since Larin or Akindele has yet to play a strong opponent for Canada in a competitive match, I still need to see if they are able to perform as they did against Dominca in order to paint them as the breakout players for Canada. The other player of interest is Samuel Piette, who had had an interesting experience in soccer despite being only 20 years of age. In terms of experienced players, it will be interesting to see if Dejan Jakovic both plays and performs after now playing in Japan in a leadership role for Shimizu S-Pulse.
Rob Notenboom:
What are your expectations for Canada at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup?
Sometimes I think RNO gets us to answer these questions because they are sadists. This is especially true now because there is some hope. The team under Benito Floro's guidance has had a string of good results. They've been resolute, organized, and tough to break down, even against Colombia or in unfriendly environs like away to Panama. They look to have young scoring threats on the rise in Tesho Akindele and Cyle Larin, and Tosaint Ricketts has also been a solid contributor lately.
Additionally, the team seems to have an intangible quality that previous Canadian Men's Teams have seemed to lack, namely a strong desire to be there. Perhaps I'm misreading the current situation and misread previous teams, but I always sensed an underlying thread of negativity in the team and that seems to have evaporated only to be replaced by the desire to fight for the team.
So what could possibly go wrong?
Besides the Dominica games - and they were clearly outmatched - none of our games have been in must-win situations. Now the pressure is on and we will begin to see if the team can still be so tough to beat, still look dangerous going forward, and still keep their spirit.
If they do, there is no reason they can't get 4pts from their group beating El Salvador and drawing one of the other teams and then perhaps getting a win in their first knockout game. Having said it, it sounds too bold, but these are the things the Canadian Men need to do to change their fortunes in CONCACAF.
Of course I still remember Martinique.
Prediction for Group B
Costa Rica - 9pts
Canada - 4pts
Jamaica - 4pts
El Salvador - 0pts
Costa Rica is coming off a very successful World Cup run and could run the table in the group. By the third game, they likely will already have the group locked up, will rest some players, and Canada will get an easier game while still losing. El Salvador has all sorts of issues with players suspended for alleged match fixing, so I suspect they will be everyone's easier game. Canada and Jamaica tie but (amazingly) Canada gets through in 2nd on goal difference, mostly by not shipping as many goals against Costa Rica.
Breakout player for Canada
The easy answers are Larin and Akindele. No insult to those who picked them as they are also good answers. After so long with a stagnant offence, who isn't excited to see the Canadian Men score? Maybe this is the hipster choice, but I was so impressed by Samuel Piette against Dominica that I can't wait to see him play again. He seems to have taken his destroying abilities and added a healthy dose of field vision to his arsenal. In the recent qualifier at BMO, he seemed to always be 3 steps ahead of the play and was a treat to watch. I'm wondering if he can replicate that form against tougher opposition.
Steve Bottjer:
What are your expectations for Canada at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup?
It may seem like a cop out, but I ultimately expect to see the team deliver the type of improved performances that have been the hallmark of the side under Benito Floro. They won’t dominate, but they won’t flame out either. I expect Canada to be competitive in all of their games and I will be watching closely to see how all of the youngsters who were so impressive against an overmatched Dominica side do against competition that is several levels higher. Ultimately, while most of the recent chatter around the team has centered on the exciting on the rise players on the squad, I still think the addition of Benito Floro at the helm of the squad is the biggest advantage this team has over previous editions of the national team.
Prediction for Group B
With it being all but a given that Costa Rica will finish top of Group B, I see Canada finishing second in the group with five points courtesy of win over El Salvador and draws against Jamaica and Costa Rica. While some will be disappointed if Canada is unable to defeat Jamaica, an unbeaten run at the Group Stage would be a real sign of progress for Canada.
Breakout player for Canada
Ultimately, one of the most exciting things about this Canadian team is there is no singular answer to that question. Any number of young players from a group including Cyle Larin, Tesho Akindele, Jonathan Osorio, Russell Teibert and Ashtone Morgan could use this tournament as launching pad towards cementing their place as a key player for Canada in the current round of World Cup qualifying as well as even the qualifying for following World Cup in Qatar. However, based on the pedigree of his youth development, his physical attributes and the exceptional manner in which he played against Dominica in June, my breakout player choice is Samuel Piette. With both Atiba Hutchinson and Will Johnson not featuring in this Gold Cup, Piette becomes Canada’s key midfield player. He has been on the periphery of the squad for a few years now and I see him using this tournament as his full coming out party at the International level.
Kamal Hylton:
What are your expectations for Canada at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup?
While I don’t want the recent World Cup Qualifying win over Dominica to cloud my judgment, from a player performance perspective, I have good expectations for Canada at the Gold Cup. One of the main problems for the team over the years has been goal scoring, but with in-form players like Cyle Larin, Tesho Akindele and Tosaint Ricketts it gives me an optimistic feeling going into this group. The wide play should also be exciting to watch, particularly how players like Marcel de Jong, Russell Teibert, Maxim Tissot and Ashtone Morgan connect throughout the tournament.
Where I do have some concerns are in the center of midfield, without both Atiba Hutchinson and Will Johnson there to pick up some of the load, I feel Jamaica, Costa Rica and El Salvador will key in on that area of the field. Depending on whether head coach Benito Floro goes with a 4-1-4-1 or 4-2-3-1, with one holding midfielder or two, I expect players like Samuel Piette, Julian de Guzman and maybe even David Edgar to see a lot of work and take on a lot of responsibility.
Prediction for Group B
I actually see three teams advancing out of this group in Costa Rica, Canada and Jamaica. Although not having Kelor Navas in goal is a big blow, it’s tough not to see Costa Rica taking the top spot in this group due to the dynamic attackers up front in Bryan Ruiz, Alvaro Saborio, Joel Campbell and David Ramirez. I see Canada just getting enough points over Jamaica to take second place in the group. However, with how well they showed defensively in Copa America against top opposition like Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina, there’s enough quality on the Reggae Boyz to take a third place qualifying spot.
Breakout player for Canada
It would be easy and biased for me to pick Brampton’s Cyle Larin, so instead I’ll go with Jonathan Osorio. While he was thrust into being a key player and media focus on some of those bad Toronto FC squads, the arrival of Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley has allowed him to work on his game and contribute to the team in a more realistic way while also keeping him hungry.
With no Giovinco’s or Altidore’s around, this could be his time to shine when it comes to the Canadian national team. This freedom gives him more time on the ball, license to attack and a responsibility to score goals and create in the role he seems to prefer as a central attacking midfielder. While he will still have other quality players around him that need the ball, including goal threats like Cyle Larin and playmakers like Russell Teibert, this is a tournament where Osorio can shine and, depending on how things play out, he can do so in front of his own home supporters against Costa Rica at BMO Field.
Ian Clarke:
What are your expectations for Canada at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup?
The engine of our team looks to be built around youth right now, and while
that comes with room to grow and develop, I do feel that Canada, both men
and women, need to set higher standards and expectations for performances.
I've felt the last two World Cup qualifying cycles Canada had better
players than the results, but there is a culture of having expectations so
low that many accept poor results.
Honestly, my expectations for Canada are reaching the semi-finals as a
stepping stone for establishing one that the goal should be reaching the
finals every tournament. Granted, that might seem a bit too much for many,
however, the goal should be lifting a trophy at the end of the day, not
receiving a participation medal. The United States and Mexico are expected
to win every Gold Cup and their players know it and perform accordingly
(and referees as well to be direct). There is no reason why the current
crop of players cannot punch above their weight right now and set a
precedent of what is to come and be expected moving forward.
Prediction for Group B
Of course there is plenty of hoopla around Costa Rica given their World Cup
performance. However, this group is extremely difficult and I would not
even guarantee that the Ticos are a sure thing to get out of the group.
Each team I think has a good chance of advancing into the knock out stage
and I think the team to watch will be Jamaica who have some very exciting
young players. El Salvador also are a tough opponent who have played good
teams leading up to this tournament and should not be taken lightly.
I would like to give Jamaica a shot at advancing, however, I think their
start will be tough against Costa Rica, who I would expect to win. As much
as I respect El Salvador, I don't think they will advance and it will come
down to Canada and Jamaica as to who will join Costa Rica. I would expect
Canada to advance but cannot look past any team and would not be surprised
if it was Jamaica and Costa Rica advancing.
Breakout player for Canada
I think there are three players who have a real opportunity to raise their
profile and stake a claim as a future key piece to the CMNT. People will no
doubt be putting in Cyle Larin for his early displays as well as excellent
form currently in MLS. How it translates into CONCACAF will be something to
watch and whether he can get similar service as he does with Orlando, or
replicate some of his shots from distance that have been technically
impressive.
Along with Larin, I would mention Russell Teibert and Samuel Piette. Piette
is one that has been in the picture for many years, but is still only 20
years of age. He will be integral as a physical presence in front of the
back four and allowing Julian De Guzman to advance further up field and be
more of a playmaker. Finally, Teibert has really emerged for both club and
country over the last year and continues to mature in both environments.
Now is his time to live up to all the accolades he made in his teens and
perform on a bigger stage.
All three players I feel will be essential to Canada's success in this
tournament, but feel it is Teibert who has the most to prove and ready to
deliver on another level of his performances.
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