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It's been said many times that it is is never easy being a national team coach, and that it is not a position for the faint of heart. On top of that truism, it is certainly a genuine challenge if the national team you are at the helm of is Canada. Often club teams do not want to release their players for national team duty and the European and North American club schedules don't always line up such that all of your players are in optimum form at the same time.
As he has done consistently since taking over as Canadian Men's National Team Head Coach, Stephen Hart took some time today to meet with the media to announce his roster for Canada's friendly against Armenia next Wednesday in Cyprus. And during an early afternoon conference call, Hart admitted that he struggled to put together a squad for this upcoming match against a formidable European opponent.
"Putting this team together was extremely difficult. Injuries are one thing and having to deal with some of the clubs because they are in a promotion fight or whatever is another. It's been very difficult. I wouldn't say that there were players that refused the callup. There were one or two players that received a lot of pressure from their clubs and it made it very difficult for them," said Hart.
"I think this one in particular was difficult. The game is falling at the end of February. Teams are fighting for certain positions, coaches are fighting for their jobs and players are trying to renew contracts. It's a difficult time at the moment. But I'm glad to have the game. There are certain players playing together and that I am happy that they are available. So, overall, I'm looking forward to it."
While he had previously stated that would not be calling up any MLS players for the Armenia fixture to the fact that they players were still early into their preseason training, Hart ended up calling up national team stalwart Julian de Guzman, given that the Toronto FC midfielder is suspended for his club's upcoming CONCACAF Champions League match against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
"I've spoken to the MLS players and I told them that it was more than likely that I wouldn't be using them. But my hand was sort of forced and Julian was available, so he will travel for the game."
With some players injured and a couple unavailable due to the pressure from their clubs, a couple of spaces on the Canadian team opened up for players who now have an opportunity to impress towards further national team callups in the future. Hart highlighted former Toronto FC defender Nana Attakora as a player who was available and who could play at a couple of positions on the backline where Canada is shorthanded.
"It is a situation where I needed somebody that can play centre back and right back and Nana was in Scotland training on a daily basis and by all reports was doing quite well. It was a situation where I thought that I could bring him in and once again give him the opportunity to show himself."
Hart announced only one newcomer to the team, as 17 year old midfielder Samuel Piette earned his first callup to the senior national team. A veteran of the Canadian National Youth teams and a player who impressed greatly when he represented Canada at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico, Piette plays his professional soccer with FC Metz in France.
"He played on the U-17 team (that played at the U-17 World Cup) and he has recently been at the U20 camp. He had a very good camp and showed some very good qualities and, at the time, I said to myself - if I do get the opportunity, I'd like to bring him in with the senior players and see how he settles into the midfield. This seemed to be a good opportunity to bring him in and I'll see how he does in training. I know it will only be a couple of days, but it will give me a good gauge for him."
While many had expected that Hart might have been under pressure to not call up his star midfielder Atiba Hutchinson due to fitness concerns and resistance from his club in The Netherlands, Hart indicated that PSV were fully supportive of Hutchinson taking part in the exhibition match.
"The club were actually pleased that I decided to bring him in, because he needs some games. Of course we are going to monitor how well he does and be sensible about it for this exhibition, but his club was very supportive."
Hart was also quick to state his appreciation with the fact that winger Josh Simpson appears to have resolved the issues he had been having at the club level when a dispute with previous club over unpaid wages forced the British Columbia native to leave Turkish side Manisaspor for Swiss club Young Boys.
"I'm happy for Josh. He's got his football life in order and he can only progress from here. I spoke with him and he is very happy and comfortable with the move and the main thing is that he will be playing on a consistent basis."
Hart was also asked about the abscence of forward Olivier Occean, who has been scoring consistently in the Bundesliga and looked to be a player in top form at the moment.
"He was called in. Olivier has a sort of damaged foot. He's been playing on it, so he's injured, but after the last game he could not train and could barely walk for two days. He's on an injury watch to see if he can perform. With that type of injury, I didn't want to risk bringing him and then having something happening in a training session."
Asked for his thoughts on the Armenian squad that Canada would face off against on neutral ground next week, Hart described the Armenians in admirable terms and explained that playing against them would be very beneficial for his squad.
"I watched two of their games and I was very impressed. I don't know if you followed them in the Euro, but they almost qualified. As a matter of fact, they scored more goals than anybody else in their group. They are a very attacking team, they love to come forward and they will put you under a lot of pressure. I think that is the sort of ideal game for us to play in at this point. It is a game that is going to test how well we defend as a team. Also how we are able to attack a team that is putting us under pressure."
CANADA
Attakora, Nana | 1989 | Brampton, ON, CAN & Orangeville, ON, CAN |
Borjan, Milan | 1987 | Hamilton, ON, CAN |
de Guzman, Julian | 1981 | Scarborough, ON, CAN | Wexford
Edgar, David | 1987 | Kitchener, ON, CAN |
Haber, Marcus | 1989 | Vancouver, BC, CAN | Dunbar SA
Hume, Iain | 1983 | Brampton, ON, CAN | Rexdale
Hutchinson, Atiba | 1983 | Brampton, ON, CAN |
Jackson, Simeon | 1987 | Mississauga, ON, CAN | Clarkson
Klukowski, Mike | 1981 | Oshawa, ON, CAN |
Ledgerwood, Nik | 1985 | Lethbridge, AB, CAN |
McKenna, Kevin | 1980 | Calgary, AB, CAN |
Pacheco, Pedro | 1984 | Ponta Delgada, POR |
Piette, Samuel | 1994 | Le Gardeur, QC, CAN | Lionceaux de le Gardeur
Ricketts, Tosaint | 1987 | Edmonton, AB, CAN |
Simpson, Josh | 1983 | Victoria, BC, CAN |
Stamatopoulos, Kenny | 1979 | Markham, ON, CAN | Markham Lightning
Straith, Adam | 1990 | Victoria, BC, CAN | Bays United SC
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