CBC Interview with Dale Mitchell

[fishman]

The FIFA Under-20 World Cup is still four months away, but Canadian coach Dale Mitchell is busy building a team that he thinks can reach the quarter-finals.

Canada just completed a successful 13-day training camp in Florida where the team scrimmaged against Toronto FC and Mitchell's team has a slew of exhibition games and more training sessions scheduled ahead of the tournament kickofff on June 30.

Canada will learn which teams it will face in the first round of the competition when FIFA conducts the official tournament draw Saturday in Toronto (CBC, 4:30 p.m. ET).

Mitchell spoke to CBC Sports Online about Team Canada's recent training camp, who he feels are Canada's key players and Saturday's draw.

How did the training camp in Florida go?

The camp went really well. We’re working largely with our North American based players right now and we’ll have the other half of the team, the players based in Europe, soon – we’re anxious to put both groups together, which we’ll have a chance to do in March when we play Scotland in B.C. in a friendly.

Were the scrimmages against Toronto FC in Florida useful?

They were fine. Results aren’t important for us, they’re not that important for them either at this point – it’s mostly about finding out about guys. We had a win and a loss against Toronto FC and some of our guys are starting to look better now that we’ve had three camps in a row, especially from a physical standpoint, which is the idea behind the winter camps we had.

Can you identify a few key players for Canada?

We had six players who were part of our team at the 2005 youth tournament in Holland. A number of them got playing time last time and because of their experience and where they play right now, we’re expecting those guys to be the leaders within our group.

Guys like David Edgar (defender), Jaime Peters (midfielder), Will Johnson (forward), Andrea Lombardo (forward), Asmir Begovic (goalkeeper) and Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault (midfielder). All six of the guys were part of the last team and they’re all different type of players but I think they’ll be the leaders within this group.

Any players on Team Canada that are flying under the radar who you feel are ready to break out?

It's really hard to say. You don't want to put any kind of expectations on anybody. It's about the team doing well and I think if the team does well, individuals will get the opportunity to shine. I think there are players outside the six that I just mentioned that if the team does well, they'll have big tournaments and get themselves recognized.

Have you set a goal for Canada at this tournament?

I think given the fact that we're playing at home, if we don't get out of the first round, we would be disappointed. If we do get out of the group stage and do as well as we did in 2003 and make it to the quarter-finals, I think that would be a terrific achievement, because we've only had one team that's been able to do that. I think that's the way we're approaching it.

Are you hoping to avoid certain teams at Saturday's draw?

There are six teams that are going to be seeded (Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Scotland and Nigeria) and we're one of them, so we'll avoid what have traditionally been the top teams at this level. We would avoid those teams, but beyond that I think everybody that's in a tournament like this is capable of giving a country like Canada a very difficult game. They'll all bring something a little bit different to the field but they're all going to be a handful for us.

Going forward, how would you like to see the Canadian team get better before the tournament starts?

We've had good preparations and will continue to do so, and between now and the start of the tournament, we'll have six or seven exhibition games against teams that will be there. We'll measure ourselves in those matches and adjust ourselves accordingly.

When will you name the final roster?

We don't have to name the final roster until 10 days before the first game of the competition. You have to make 28 players eligible before that, but the 21 players that you take to name to the roster don't have to be announced until 10 days before.

Do you know who the 21 players are?

No, I don't think the 21 are set in stone. I know the group of 28 that the 21 are going to come from, but I don't know exactly the 21 will be right now.

[An Observer]

Its interesting that he did not mention either De Guzman or Lensky. Obviously, its highly unlikely that De Guzman will be there this summer. However, there was a previous post that Lensky would suit up for the Scottish series. If that was the case, I would have thought that Lensky would have been named as one of the players he could rely on.

[Ivan]

I am surprised Dale mentioned any players at all. He generally never does, but I guess since they announced the 6 as "ambassadors" to the host cities, he probably felt safe in mentioning them.

Even when he talked about Lensky and the Scotland series, Dale was very coy about him, saying things like "we'll see how he does" and so on.

By the way, the Toronto Sun had a Jaime Peters article today talking about the U20 WC. I don't know how to post articles, but I am sure someone will before the day is out.

[loyola]

Peters pumped for under-20

Sat, March 3, 2007

By ROB LONGLEY, SUN MEDIA

TORONTO -- As a professional player in England, Jaime Peters' international soccer credentials are already established.

Now the Pickering native is ready to show them to his friends, family and country.

And for good measure, the rest of the world.

Peters, expected to be one of the leaders for the host Canadian side in the under-20 World Cup in July, says he's ready to put on a show.

"It's going to be great to play in front of my friends and family and to show we can compete against the best in the world," Peters said yesterday from England, where he's started 11 games this season for League Championship side Ipswich Town.

"We have a lot of talent in Canada and a lot of talent on this team. This will be a chance to prove it."

There will be considerable tension this afternoon in Toronto as the under-20 draw is made.

Representatives from each of the 24 competing countries will be on hand, learning who they'll meet and where in the tournament to be played in six Canadian cities.

But Peters, one of six returning players from the 2005 under-20 team, said he will hardly pay attention and not just because the midfielder will be busy with his Blues facing Queen's Park Rangers this afternoon.

"It doesn't matter who we draw. Other teams should be worried about drawing us. We've shown we can play with the best. We've played Brazil and the Czechs and we've beat them. We're a top team."

Today's draw will determine Canada's three opponents in group play and the host country is one of two squads that already knows where its games will be held.

After its opener in Toronto, the team goes to Edmonton for the rest of its preliminary play. Portugal will play all of its early games in Toronto as organizers hope to tap into the strong Portuguese community.

Some prominent European powers won't be making a Canadian visit -- Italy, England, Germany and France did not qualify.

A tournament that's produced scores of World Cup stars over the years will no doubt have many on display among the nations here.

And, as Peters says, count Canada in that group.

"We've already got some players playing football professionally," he said. "After this tournament, don't be surprised if there are more."

[pokey1]

he would be somewhat troubled if he did not make the quarter finals, he says he has the tools of players 28 to be exact or more . But he really does not sound to convincing about the prospect of surpassing the 2003 team.

If results do matter for the team why is he bring up the 2003 team, to achieve his personal best or does he know something we dont and that team had to qualify.

ASKED Have you set a goal for Canada at this tournament?

I think given the fact that we're playing at home, if we don't get out of the first round, we would be disappointed. If we do get out of the group stage and do as well as we did in 2003 and make it to the quarter-finals, I think that would be a terrific achievement, because we've only had one team that's been able to do that. I think that's the way we're approaching it.

Ya ok the reason you made the first round is because you hosting it and secondly I assuming that he was the one behind the bench who took the team in 2003. I would say a totaly different team caliber then today and you cannot compare it not even close. You know what is funny If, not mistaken did he not take over the role late.....in 2002 or early 2003.

Can any one offer this forum a record keeping of all exibiton games, friendlys etc..... of this Under 20 team he has coached after this so called 2003 team he is talking about, inculding last year YWC

Who they played, the score, and what age group.

and compare it to the 2003 team from 2001

ANd just maybe you may just find your answer and understand his comments. above the true meaning...

[youllneverwalkalone]

You know, i did at one time try to start a thread regarding Mitchell's record. All you need to do is spend a couple hours sorting through the match capsules on the CSA web site. I guess I decided against it because these player caps sometimes seem meaningless to a supporter of the MNT. Guys like Alim Karim or Wyn Belotte seemed important at the time, but now?

Whether Mitchell is appointed manager this cycle or not, I have no doubt he will be the MNT's manager at some point. Given that the CSA has put all their proverbial eggs in the MLS basket, I really think we need to place familiarity and commitment to Canada over skill and prestige in many instances. As such, Mitchell trained players like Hume, Hutch, Waagnar, Ledgerwood, Gyaki, Hainault, Johnson, Edgar, Peters, and Begovic should be joining the TFC guys, DeRosario, Jazic, Serioux et all in preparation for WC 2010 -even at the expense of the De Guzmans, Stalteri, Klukowski, etc.

[Canuck Oranje]

Coaching at U-20 is not the same as coaching seasoned professionals. While I think Mitchell has done an admirable job, I am not sure you can compare his success to experienced coaches who have had success in a number of situations.

There is also a tendency to over estimate the influence a national coach has on the development of national team players. Edgar, Peters, Johnson and the other Euro-based U-20s get more training at their clubs than Mitchell could possibly provide them.

Finally, the Senior Men's National Team should always be about putting the best team possible on the field. A national team coach from Canada that chooses to ignore top Canadian players playing in Europe would be the laughing stock of the rest of the world. That would also lead to the question, why do U-20s playing in Europe still get to play?

quote:Originally posted by youllneverwalkalone

You know, i did at one time try to start a thread regarding Mitchell's record. All you need to do is spend a couple hours sorting through the match capsules on the CSA web site. I guess I decided against it because these player caps sometimes seem meaningless to a supporter of the MNT. Guys like Alim Karim or Wyn Belotte seemed important at the time, but now?

Whether Mitchell is appointed manager this cycle or not, I have no doubt he will be the MNT's manager at some point. Given that the CSA has put all their proverbial eggs in the MLS basket, I really think we need to place familiarity and commitment to Canada over skill and prestige in many instances. As such, Mitchell trained players like Hume, Hutch, Waagnar, Ledgerwood, Gyaki, Hainault, Johnson, Edgar, Peters, and Begovic should be joining the TFC guys, DeRosario, Jazic, Serioux et all in preparation for WC 2010 -even at the expense of the De Guzmans, Stalteri, Klukowski, etc.

[Bertuzzi44]

quote:Originally posted by loyola

"It doesn't matter who we draw. Other teams should be worried about drawing us. We've shown we can play with the best. We've played Brazil and the Czechs and we've beat them. We're a top team."

I love this attitude. Instead of the typically sheep-ish attitude Canadian soccer players portray. Good on Jamie!

[youllneverwalkalone]

quote:Originally posted by Canuck Oranje

Coaching at U-20 is not the same as coaching seasoned professionals. While I think Mitchell has done an admirable job, I am not sure you can compare his success to experienced coaches who have had success in a number of situations.

There is also a tendency to over estimate the influence a national coach has on the development of national team players. Edgar, Peters, Johnson and the other Euro-based U-20s get more training at their clubs than Mitchell could possibly provide them.

Finally, the Senior Men's National Team should always be about putting the best team possible on the field. A national team coach from Canada that chooses to ignore top Canadian players playing in Europe would be the laughing stock of the rest of the world. That would also lead to the question, why do U-20s playing in Europe still get to play?

I don't think you're picking up what I'm putting down here. I don't think Mitchell is necessarily the best candidate, or that he should be credited with the development of any specific players. My point is that the CSA has decided on going the direction of fully supporting MLS -with the theory that familiarity of the domestic players will lead to greater success. I don't necessarily agree with the ultimate direction, but clearly familiarity of the players has produced results for us in 86 and many minnow nations like Guatamala and Honduras. I'm not a follower of Brasil, but surely there must be guys who succeed in Europe who are ultimately left of the WC squad in favor of domestic players. The best *team* will be that with the highest level of commitment from each member. Right now, there are some European guys who are not as committed as others. Personally, I have no problem moving forward without JDG2, De Jong, or anybody else who'd rather commit solely to club football. Holger had this approach and was not the laughing stock of world football. Is that because he's not Canadian? Seems like a double standard to me.

[Canuck Oranje]

I am not sure how Holger's name gets into this because it doesn't matter where the coach comes from. I only hope that the coach chosen is best one available and has had some success somewhere working with seasoned professionals. The head coach of the men's national team is tasked with putting out the best team possible. Whether they play domestically or elsewhere is should not enter into it. And that coach should be judge on his record.

I don't see how that is a double standard.

quote:Originally posted by youllneverwalkalone

I don't think you're picking up what I'm putting down here. I don't think Mitchell is necessarily the best candidate, or that he should be credited with the development of any specific players. My point is that the CSA has decided on going the direction of fully supporting MLS -with the theory that familiarity of the domestic players will lead to greater success. I don't necessarily agree with the ultimate direction, but clearly familiarity of the players has produced results for us in 86 and many minnow nations like Guatamala and Honduras. I'm not a follower of Brasil, but surely there must be guys who succeed in Europe who are ultimately left of the WC squad in favor of domestic players. The best *team* will be that with the highest level of commitment from each member. Right now, there are some European guys who are not as committed as others. Personally, I have no problem moving forward without JDG2, De Jong, or anybody else who'd rather commit solely to club football. Holger had this approach and was not the laughing stock of world football. Is that because he's not Canadian? Seems like a double standard to me.