Post-camp report: MNT returns from Florida

[loyola]

Men's National Team

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Post-camp report: men's national team returns from Florida

Dwayne De Rosario

Photo: Dale MacMillan

Canada's men's national team has closed their first training camp of the 2008 season. The camp, directed by head coach Dale Mitchell, featured mostly players who were out of season from their North American-based teams. The two-week camp opened 20 January and concluded 3 February. The camp was run in Fort Lauderdale, FL with trips in between to Martinique and St. Lucia.

"We could not have asked for any more from the group of players we had in Fort Lauderdale," says head coach Dale Mitchell. "With it being the off season for the majority of them, they were not expected to be in peak condition. The first week was quite demanding and it was designed to raise their fitness levels as well as get them used to playing again at a high standard."

Included in the camp were a number of new players that Mitchell did not have in his previous three camps as head coach of the senior team. Mitchell has steadily been preparing for this year's 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers which kick off in June 2008.

"The second phase of the camp concentrated on games," says Mitchell. "We had a warm up match against a local team, the international in Martinique and the game against the Danish professional team (Vejle Boldklub). The team improved with each match I felt, with many of the players performing quite well."

Against Martinique, four players earned their first senior cap with the Canadian team, two of whom were amongst the starting XI. Adrian Cann and Charles Gbeke started under coach Dale Mitchell while Dejan Jakovic and Dave Simpson entered as substitutions. Chris Williams and Antonio Ribeiro earned their second caps with the senior squad.

Says Mitchell, "I believe we have also identified two new players (Dejan Jakovic and Paris Nakajima-Farran) who will be capable of helping our U23 and U20 programs in the near future." Jakovic is a 1985-born player from the University of Alabama Birmingham while Nakajima-Farran is a 1989-born player with the Danish club Næstved BK.

"Overall, it was a successful camp that allowed players and staff alike to re-familiarize themselves with performing in the type of conditions we will face in World Cup Qualifying."

Canada's next international match will be in Europe on 26 March against Estonia. Their first FIFA World Cup Qualifier is scheduled for 15 June in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines with the return leg scheduled one week later (21 or 22 June) in Canada (location yet to be announced).

[BearcatSA]

quote:Originally posted by loyola

"Overall, it was a successful camp that allowed players and staff alike to re-familiarize themselves with performing in the type of conditions we will face in World Cup Qualifying."

I'm curious to see how many of these guys will be members of the squad to face SVG and then the next round of WCQ.

[Grizzly]

quote:Originally posted by BearcatSA

I'm curious to see how many of these guys will be members of the squad to face SVG and then the next round of WCQ.

At least the following quote leaves me hopeful that Mitchell is not going to be influenced by such a camp to play B-level and youth players in WCQ like Yallop did:

quote:Says Mitchell, "I believe we have also identified two new players (Dejan Jakovic and Paris Nakajima-Farran) who will be capable of helping our U23 and U20 programs in the near future."

[loyola]

quote:Originally posted by BearcatSA

I'm curious to see how many of these guys will be members of the squad to face SVG and then the next round of WCQ.

In this group, I feel like DeRo is a sure starter. Onstad, Serioux, Pozniak, Sutton, Issey and Harmse could all play a role at some point in the WCQ campaign.

[jonovision]

quote:Originally posted by loyola

In this group, I feel like DeRo is a sure starter. Onstad, Serioux, Pozniak, Sutton, Issey and Harmse could all play a role at some point in the WCQ campaign.

A role, perhaps, but not a large one. For example, of those six mentioned, I don't think many Voyageurs would include any of them in their starting XI if everyone was available.

[loyola]

quote:Originally posted by jonovision

A role, perhaps, but not a large one. For example, of those six mentioned, I don't think many Voyageurs would include any of them in their starting XI if everyone was available.

What I meant by a "role" is to being called at some point or being on the bench. I don't see any of them, except Onstad, having to start a game for us in WCQ. I know that I'm in the minority but I feel like Onstad can give some competition to Lars in goal.

[BearcatSA]

quote:Originally posted by loyola

In this group, I feel like DeRo is a sure starter. Onstad, Serioux, Pozniak, Sutton, Issey and Harmse could all play a role at some point in the WCQ campaign.

Onstad is in the keeper mix, but it will be important to see how Sutton comes back with TFC this year. I like what I saw of Issey's play in 2007 and I think he has some good upside. Serioux (d-mid, flank mid, central defence) and Pozniak (Mr. "8 different positions") help the squad depth with their North American-based versatility. The only guy I've never been sold on is Harmse, but I'll have to see how it goes for him in the coming months.

[villus]

Issey could possibly be a starter, or a sub in the near future, though I think he would most likely be a second choice as a starter. I feel that he brings a lot to the table with goal scoring and an ability to beat players.

[BearcatSA]

quote:Originally posted by villus

Issey could possibly be a starter, or a sub in the near future, though I think he would most likely be a second choice as a starter. I feel that he brings a lot to the table with goal scoring and an ability to beat players.

I agree with your points. I guess that's what I meant by his upside. In particular, I like what he brings to the passing, possession game which is really important at the international level.

[Fort York Redcoat1555362293]

One thing that is disappointing is that these friendlies were used to try out new players and not forge the team. The Estonia friendly will be closer to forging a Euro stationed side but I fear the MLS guys won't gel as well come summertime. Bright side, the team is still going to beat St V & G back to back and the REAL starting XI will emerge!

[nolando]

quote:Originally posted by Fort York Redcoat

One thing that is disappointing is that these friendlies were used to try out new players and not forge the team. The Estonia friendly will be closer to forging a Euro stationed side but I fear the MLS guys won't gel as well come summertime. Bright side, the team is still going to beat St V & G back to back and the REAL starting XI will emerge!

starting to sound very familiar,no?

since most of us have written off any chance to get the full first team together for estonia or for any possible friendly dates between SVG and the first group stage, i would say we are in a mighty terrible position - be afraid, people, be afraid

are we seriously waiting for the the first wcq to see who our best 18 will be? cant wait to see who we lose over understandable bitterness when they find out they arent (barring injury/suspension)a part of the plans for wcq, and this on the eve of the qualifying

[loyola]

Why won't we have our A squad against Estonia? FIFA date and MLS won't start until early April so our players should all be there. BTW, we've had our A squad against Iceland, CR and SA. A few players missing is not a reason to call it a B or B + squad. I'm even of the opinion that we had our A squad in the GC.

I'm also very worried by the lack of dates to organize a friendly between SVG and the first game of round 2. That's why we need to use the 2 weeks prior to SVG to have a camp and at least one or two games. But during the summer, forget any possible international game for us with an A team.

[jonovision]

Who has written off the Estonia friendly as a chance to get the full team together? All European players should be there. If MLS players are not available (though I see no reason why they should not be), the only player missing from our first 11 would be De Rosario (and possibly Brennan, though I don't rate him as highly as some others here).

[loyola]

quote:Originally posted by jonovision

Who has written off the Estonia friendly as a chance to get the full team together? All European players should be there. If MLS players are not available (though I see no reason why they should not be), the only player missing from our first 11 would be De Rosario (and possibly Brennan, though I don't rate him as highly as some others here).

I'm not sure what he is drinking sometimes. I've never read anyone suggesting that here or on any other forum with canadian soccer discussions.

[BearcatSA]

quote:Originally posted by nolando

since most of us have written off any chance to get the full first team together for estonia or for any possible friendly dates between SVG and the first group stage, i would say we are in a mighty terrible position - be afraid, people, be afraid

are we seriously waiting for the the first wcq to see who our best 18 will be? cant wait to see who we lose over understandable bitterness when they find out they arent (barring injury/suspension)a part of the plans for wcq, and this on the eve of the qualifying

I think we will see our A list guys for the Estonia match, but I am wondering about the point in your second paragraph regarding who may "take his ball and go home" over future selection issues. It will be a good test of Mitchell's (and Hart's) man management skills.

[CanadianSwede]

I hope De Ro makes it for the Estonia match. We really missed De Ro in our last real competitive match against South Africa where our midfield was lacking delivery skills. On another note I hope to see Klukowski playing. From what i saw of him against South Africa he was the best defender we had.

[nolando]

quote:Originally posted by loyola

I'm not sure what he is drinking sometimes. I've never read anyone suggesting that here or on any other forum with canadian soccer discussions.

you really have something against me on a personal level, no?

i saw a number of posters make possibly educated guesses that only european-based would be called into the estonia squad, which is why i mentioned it

btw, what i am drinking when i am so critical when commenting on so many of the issues surrounding the build-up to WCQ is a big cup of sober reality, learned from years of experience

you dont have to like my comments, but dont start dragging my name through the mud - vous comprenez?

[loyola]

European based squad plus Onstad and DeRo is full strenght (maybe you can add Brennan to the mix). I just think your posts are way too alarmist and not based on facts these days, it's just annoying to read people complaining for the sake of complaining.... Sorry for hurting your feelings.

[nolando]

quote:Originally posted by loyola

European based squad plus Onstad and DeRo is full strenght (maybe you can add Brennan to the mix). I just think your posts are way too alarmist and not based on facts these days, it's just annoying to read people complaining for the sake of complaining.... Sorry for hurting your feelings.

to each their own, but for the record, i started a whole thread of regularly updated match results, squad lists, video hilights related to our group stage WCQ opponents, and started it precisely to help establish the facts about how we compare to other countries (we look bad by the way - hardly an alarmist comment)

btw, if you're going to apologise, at least be man enough to not, in the same post, insinuate that i am lier

otherwise, just keep slinging mud - and i'll just go back to trying to figure which friend or family member of yours i must have offended in a previous lifetime

[loyola]

Again, like I've told you in another thread we can't just compare our preparation with the one a country like Honduras is having. Why? Because a big part of their full team is playing at home and they can afford to play on NON-FIFA dates, something we can't do. We have to be realistic about our opportunities to play games and playing on NON-FIFA dates is not possible for us and it's not the CSA's fault. That's my problem with you complaining, you're omitting some important facts and aren't taking them into the equation.

BTW, look at our preperation before the 2000 WCQ, we had something like 20 games in 1999 and 2000 before it started and still crashed. I agree that it's important but it's the only thing we need and quality of players is much more important and that's something we have right now (more quality compare to 2000 and 2004).

Where did I insinuated that you lied?

[nolando]

loyola, you should seriously consider working for the CSA - they could use someone like you to defend them and blindly support the canadian sides

"I just think your posts are way too alarmist and not based on facts these days."

i think that's a pretty fair example of insinuating that i am not telling the truth.

this is getting tiring - give it a rest

[loyola]

I was expecting the apologist stuff was going to come out.

The only thing I'm saying is that it would be nearly impossible to do what Honduras, Guatemala and some other CONCACAF countries are doing by playing on NON-FIFA dates. If you can prove me wrong I'm gladly listen to what you're saying. But at the moment I think I've justified this claim well enough by pointing out to players availability as being the factor that will cause us problems if we're going to play on NON-FIFA dates.

Please provide me with a counterargument, not a CSA apologist stuff.