Canada U20 - Road to WYC 2007 Thread

[Joe MacCarthy]

Men’s U-20 Team
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Canada’s U-20 team closes camp in Florida
http://www.canadasoccer.com/eng/medi...?Press_ID=2626

OTTAWA (ONTARIO) – Canada’s U-20 team wrapped up a 13-day camp in Florida today under head coach Dale Mitchell. Canada had 15 players in their camp which ran 10-22 February at Las Palmas in Sunrise, FL.

“We feel that this group of players has a good fitness base for the coming year after working hard for three consecutive camps in excellent training conditions in Florida,” says coach Dale Mitchell. “The boys looked much sharper in our final two games against Toronto FC and Lynn University. Everyone is now looking forward to some international matches in Canada.”

Those international matches are now just around the corner. Canada faces Scotland in Burnaby on 24 March and in Victoria on 27 March.

On Monday, Canada took part in an informal 70-minute scrimmage with Toronto FC, the Canadian expansion team that will begin play in Major League Soccer this season. Toronto FC’s roster included Andrea Lombardo, a Canadian U-20 player who just one month ago took part in Canada’s January camp.

On Wednesday, the last full day of the camp, Canada took part in an exhibition game against Lynn University’s soccer team. Both sides scored one goal each in the draw: Canada in the first half and Lynn University in the second half. Tosaint Ricketts scored for Canada at the 21st minute after he converted an A.J. Gray pass. Gray had beaten his man off the dribble before he cut the ball back on the ground from the touch line to Ricketts. Lynn University countered in the second half with a goal off the counter attack.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Variety of styles awaits host
By ROB LONGLEY, SUN MEDIA
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Can...95051-sun.html

TORONTO -- The Canadian team hoping to do its country proud this July has a nice soccer smorgasbord from which to dine.

As the host nation in the Under-20 World Cup, the Canadians were given a break and, as a designated top seed in Group A, avoid tournament powerhouses early on.

"We don't have any of the traditional big boys such as Brazil, Argentina and Spain," Canadian coach Dale Mitchell said after the draw. "But it won't be easy.

"I do think we have three difficult opponents though because they have three different styles and they come from three different federations."

First up in Toronto on July 1 will be Chile which, no doubt, will bring some of their South American flair and technical expertise to BMO Field.

The next Group E opponent -- July 5 in Edmonton -- will be Austria. While not yet a recognized world power, the Austrians did advance through a tough European qualifier in which Italy, England, Germany and France all were denied a spot.

SCRAPPY AFRICANS

The Canadians finish their preliminary round in Edmonton on July 8 against Congo. For that contest, they'll surely be up against the scrappy play that has defined African squads in recent years.

While acknowledging that there isn't a soft spot in the bunch, Mitchell hopes his players respond to the challenge, and the home crowd.

"I look at it like we're hosting. If we don't get out of our group, we'll be disappointed," Mitchell said. "And that's the message we will pass on to our players.

"We have to find some way to take advantage of being the host team. We had a great example from Germany in the 2006 men's World Cup, the way the country got behind them right from the start."

Torontonian Andrea Lombardo, who will be making his second appearance on the Canadian side in this tournament, sees it as the ultimate selling stage for the game.

"This can really be a spark for a lot of Canadians and not just in Toronto," said Lombardo, a forward.

"I know all the Ontario guys are getting excited about playing the opener in Toronto. This can really provide some momentum for the game in the city and the country."

---

GROUP A (AT EDMONTON)

- Canada -- Home-field advantage and an experienced squad are their aces. Don't let bye into field fool you.

- Chile -- Midfielder Alexis Sanchez a bonafide star already and should be a handful for Canada in the opener.

- Congo -- Captured the African youth championship and is the latest sensation from the soccer-crazed continent.

- Austria -- Back in for the first time since 1983 as country commits itself to youth development. Unknown quantity but they defeated some Euro powers to get here.

GROUP B (AT BURNABY, B.C.)

- Spain -- Undefeated in tough UEFA qualifying and considered one of the deepest teams in the tourney.

- Uruguay -- Returns to event after eight-year absence. Striker Edinson Cavani an early candidate for leading scorer.

- Jordan -- Developing soccer nation makes debut but should be easy fodder for favoured Spain.

- Zambia -- Clifford Mulenga one of tourney's stars. Scored a pair to knock out Cameroon.

GROUP C (AT TORONTO)

- Portugal -- The great Luis Figo led it to 1991 title. Midfielder Bruon Gama, who led the team to the under-17 title in 2003, is the new star.

- New Zealand -- First Kiwi team to qualify for this event and face a tough task with two heavyweights.

- Gambia -- Baby Scorpions qualify for first time. For their efforts, they get Portugal and Mexico. Ouch!

- Mexico -- A solid tourney favourite. Giovana Dos Santos is making his name with Barcelona as a budding pro.

GROUP D (AT MONTREAL)

- Poland -- Dawid Janczyk already is a legend at home, scoring a hat trick over Belgium during qualifying.

- Brazil -- We can only guess how many new stars will be unveiled for four-time winners. Here's one: Alexandre Pato.

- Korea Republic -- Has not reached the quarters since 1991, but should have solid fan support.

- United States -- Famous Freddy Adu will get the star treatment, but facing Brazil makes it a tough task.

GROUP E (AT OTTAWA)

- Argentina -- The defending champs are loaded with young talent. Ever Banega is being touted as next great Argentine star.

- Czech Republic -- Stout defence keeps it in all games. Attacking midfielder Marek Strestik provides some of the offence.

- Korea DPR -- Under-17 team reached quarters in 2005. Captain Kim Kum-Il was a force in qualifying.

- Panama -- Have lost all six contests at under-20s. Hopes lie with striker Josue Jafeth Brown.

GROUP F (AT VICTORIA)

- Japan -- Will make seventh consecutive under-20 appearance. Best result so far was runner-up to Spain in 1999.

- Scotland -- Gritty squad sure to be a fan favourite, a special treat for the fans in Victoria.

- Nigeria -- Flying Eagles were 2005 finalists. Could they be the future African stars?

- Costa Rica -- Ticos back after missing last two tourneys. Led by forward Jean Carlo Solorzano.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Canada draws Chile, Österreich and République du Congo
http://www.canadasoccer.com/eng/medi...?Press_ID=2631

OTTAWA (ONTARIO) – Canada’s men’s youth team has drawn Chile, Österreich (Austria) and the République du Congo for the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007. The four countries were drawn into the same group during the Official Draw, held Saturday 3 March in Toronto at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex at Exhibition Place. The Official Draw was broadcasted live across the country on CBC’s Sports Weekend.

“They are three teams all from different confederations and they all play a different style,” says Canadian head coach Dale Mitchell. “It will be a challenge to prepare for each, but by the fact that we are a seeded team, we can’t complain about the draw.”

Indeed, all three countries will bring their unique play to Canada this summer for the group stage of the tournament. Chile plays a possession-oriented game while Österreich should be a well-coached, tactical team. The République du Congo, meanwhile, should play a physical game that is typical of most African nations. Canada plays Chile on Canada Day 1 July in Toronto, Österreich on 5 July in Edmonton, and the République du Congo on 8 July again in Edmonton.

“We are happy to play the host Canada in the first game of the tournament in front of a sell-out game,” says Harold Mayne-Nicholls, president of the Federacion Futbol Chile. “There is a huge Chilean population here in Toronto and the excitement and pride for that day will be quite big. The players will be coming here to give a good account of themselves. There is nothing as special as playing in a World Cup, no matter (which) age category.”

“Our goal is to reach the last 16, but it will be a challenge because of the high caliber of competition of teams participating,” says coach Paul Gludovatz of Österreich. “We have a tough schedule with a lot of traveling between Edmonton and Toronto, not to mention two different kinds of (playing) surfaces, but we will be ready.”

“With the result of this draw, Congo can prevail just like any other team in the competition,” says country representative Pascal Akouala Goelot. “Even as champions of the African Youth Championships, the task will still be difficult (because we will) face countries that we respect very much.”

Canada has faced Chile seven times in international competition, including three times at the youth level. Both youth teams played against each other twice in 1987 (2:1 win and 1:1 draw for Canada) and once in 2001 (1:1 draw). The 9 June 2001 draw in Santiago, Chile was the last competition between the two nations.

Canada and Österreich have played each other only once in international competition, although it was at the senior level (2:0 win in 2006). Canada and the République du Congo have faced each other twice, both times in the 1997 Jeux de la francophonie in Madagascar (0:0 draw and 3:2 win for Canada’s youth team).

Canada has high hopes for the 2007 tournament, not only because they are hosts but also because they have a strong core of returning players. Canada could have as many as six returning players from Nederland 2005, a feat achieved only once in the history of the tournament (Syria’s seven in Portugal 1991). Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, defender David Edgar, midfielders Jonathon Beaulieu-Bourgault and Jaime Peters, and forwards Will Johnson and Andrea Lombardo were all on the squad two years ago in Europe. All six were also named Canadian ambassadors for the road to the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

“We have some tough games and we will play against three very different teams,” says Lombardo, who was in attendance at the Official Draw on Saturday. “We are going to be well prepared and we will be ready to give something to our fans here in Canada.”

The FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 kicks off on 30 June and runs through to the final on 22 July.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Men’s U-20 Team
Friday, March 02, 2007
Canada announces six ambassadors for the road to the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007



OTTAWA (ONTARIO) – With less than five months to go to what will be the biggest single-sport sporting event in Canadian history, Canada has named six ambassadors for its road to the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007. The six ambassadors are goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, defender David Edgar, midfielders Jonathon Beaulieu-Bourgault and Jaime Peters, and forwards Will Johnson and Andrea Lombardo.

All six players are returning members from the 2005 U-20 World Cup team in Nederland. They were also all nominees for the 2006 Canadian Youth Player of the Year and were together for integral international friendly matches against Brasil and Ceska Republika. These six players could represent the second-largest returning group in the history of the tournament, a group topped only by the Syrian seven in 1991. All six players are expected to become household names at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 this 30 June to 22 July.

“These six players should provide excellent leadership and experience to our squad during the U-20 World Cup,” says Canadian coach Dale Mitchell. “They not only have the benefit of one of these tournaments under their belt but are all in a good professional environment on a daily basis. We believe they can be the catalysts for a successful showing for us this summer.'

The U-20 Canucks will kick off their 2007 international series against Scotland on 24 March in Burnaby and 27 March in Victoria. After one more training camp in April, the team will then embark in a series of international matches in May and June in anticipation of the July tournament. Their first FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 match is on Canada Day in Toronto at the new National Soccer Stadium.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Men’s U-20 Team
Monday, March 12, 2007
Canada announces roster for upcoming men’s U-20 camp
http://www.canadasoccer.com/eng/medi...?Press_ID=2637



OTTAWA (ONTARIO) – Canada’s men’s youth team heads to Langley, BC this week for two weeks of training and a pair of international friendly matches with Scotland. Canada’s U-20 team will play Scotland on 24 March in Burnaby and 27 March in Victoria. Both teams are on the road to the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 which runs 30 June to 22 July.

“We are pleased to get the majority of our roster together for the first time in 2007,” says head coach Dale Mitchell. “In particular it will be interesting to see how our European-based players are looking since we last saw them in October in the Czech Republic. The Scots will provide us with tough competition as they finished second during UEFA qualifying and will have some support here in British Columbia."

Canada’s North American-based players are expected to arrive in British Columbia on 14 March while the European-based players are expected to arrive after their club’s weekend matches. The two matches against Scotland will be Canada’s first of the 2007 season. The Saturday 24 March match takes place at 13:00 local time at Swangard Stadium while the Tuesday 27 March match takes place at 19:00 local time at Royal Athletic Park. Burnaby and Victoria are two of the six sites for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Canada has high hopes for the 2007 tournament, not only because they are hosts but also because they have a strong core of returning players. Canada could have as many as six returning players from Nederland 2005, a feat achieved only once in the history of the tournament (Syria’s seven in Portugal 1991). Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, defender David Edgar, midfielders Jonathon Beaulieu-Bourgault and Jaime Peters, and forwards Will Johnson and Andrea Lombardo were all on the squad two years ago in Europe. All six were also named Canadian ambassadors for the road to the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Along with Victoria and Burnaby, the four other sites for this tournament are Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa and Montréal. Canada will face Chile, Österreich (Austria) and the République du Congo in the group stage of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Toronto and Edmonton. Scotland, meanwhile, will face Japan, Nigeria and Costa Rica in Victoria and Burnaby.

NAME POS AGE
Attakora-Gyan, Nana | D | 18 | Orangeville, ON
Ayre, Keegan | M | 18 | Coquitlam, BC
Beaulieu-Bourgault, Jonathan | M | 18 | Île Bizard, QC
Begovic, Asmir | G | 19 | Edmonton, AB
D’Agostino, Michael | D/M | 20 | Langley, BC
Di_Ioia, Massimo | F | 19 | Montréal, QC
Elliott, Alex | F | 19 | Vancouver, BC
Gala, Gabe | D | 17 | Brampton, ON
Gray, AJ | M | 18 | Brampton, ON
Haber, Marcus | D/F | 18 | Vancouver, BC
Johnson, Will | M/F | 20 | born Toronto, ON
Kalthoff, Zach | G | 18 | Calgary, AB
Lammie, Shane | F | 18 | Toronto, ON
Lombardo, Andrea | F | 19 | Toronto, ON
Lumley, Stephen | D | 19 | Mississauga, ON
Monsalve, David | G | 18 | Brampton, ON
Nuñez, Cristian | D | 18 | Montréal, QC
O’Connor, Kent | D | 20 | North Vancouver, BC
Owusu-Ansah, Kennedy | D | 17 | Toronto, ON
Peters, Jaime | M | 19 | Pickering, ON
Ricketts, Tosaint | M/F | 19 | Edmonton, AB
Turnbull, Masumi | M/D | 20 | Richmond, BC

Dale Mitchell – Head Coach
Nick Dasovic – Assistant Coach
Kevin Muldoon – Equipment manager and goaltending coach
Eddie Cannon – Physiotherapist
Randy Celebrini – Strength and conditioning coach
Mike Campbell – Doctor
Dave Nutt – National teams administrator

[Joe MacCarthy]

Men’s U-20 Team
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Canada defeats Scotland 3:1
http://www.canadasoccer.com/eng/medi...?Press_ID=2651


adidas Man of the Match: Tosaint Ricketts

The Hyundai men’s U-20 national team presented by Yahoo! Canada pulled off a 3:1 victory over Scotland today at the Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam, BC. Gabe Gala opened the scoring and Tosaint Ricketts followed through with a pair to complete the win.

'We started out quite sloppy and we didn’t play our best, so it was a big deal to win 3:1,' says defender David Edgar. 'Our team has good character and a fighting spirit. We have a good group of boys.'



This was the first match of a two-game international series between Canada and Scotland. The second match will be played on 27 March in Victoria at the Royal Athletic Park.

This was just Canada’s second-ever international match in Coquitlam (the other was a U-23 match in 1996). Canada had been scheduled to play in Burnaby at Swangard Stadium, but the officials changed the venue because of a waterlogged Swangard Stadium pitch (grass). Percy Perry Stadium features recently-installed FieldTurf.

Both teams started the match in the rain, but neither side could find the net in the first half. Scotland’s Greg Ross got the lone caution, booked at the 27th minute.

The rain slowed down in the second half and Canada was the first to find the back of the net at the 65th minute. After Gala’s score, Ricketts made it 2:0 at the 73rd minute. Scotland got one back two minutes later courtesy Steven Fletcher, but Ricketts made it 3:1 at the 80th minute.

Canada’s two cautions in the second half went to Cristian Nunez (55th minute) and captain Will Johnson (90+).

The adidas men of the match were Ricketts and Fletcher. Ricketts was playing in his first-ever game with the Canadian youth national team. The Hyundai sportsmen of the match were Jaime Peters (Canada) and Garry Kenneth (Scotland).

Canada had been training in Langley, BC before arriving in Vancouver on Thursday. Now that they have their first match out of the way, they will take the ferry from Vancouver to Victoria and then prepare for the Tuesday 27 March match.

This is a big weekend for Canada’s men’s national teams. Along with the Hyundai men’s U-20 national team presented by Yahoo! Canada, both the senior national team and U-17 team are in action tomorrow on 25 March (Sunday). Canada’s senior team faces Bermuda in Hamilton, Bermuda while Canada’s U-17 team faces Mexico in Mexico City. The U-17 also plays an exhibition match on Tuesday 27 March against Club America and on Friday 30 March against Cruz Azul.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Dale Mitchell accepts limited availability of elite young players
By RON SUDLOW
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Can...814368-cp.html

VANCOUVER (CP) - Canadian under-20 Dale Mitchell has come to terms with the limited availability of some of his players.

Unlike most countries, Canada's elite young soccer players are widely scattered among clubs in Europe and university programs in North America.

"It's a catch-22," Mitchell said Friday in an interview before Canada meets Scotland in a friendly on Saturday at Percy Perry Stadium in suburban Coquitlam, B.C.

The game was originally slated for Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, B.C., but was moved because of a waterlogged pitch.

"I think for all national team coaches you need your players to be in a good environment, especially at this age, when they all want to be professionals. Some of them are in that environment now and some of them are not quite there, but the ones that are end up being the key players within your group."

He'll be counting heavily on six players currently with European clubs when Canada plays host to the FIFA U-20 World Cup June 30-July 22 in Victoria, Burnaby, B.C., Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.

A key to Canada's success will be the play of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic of Edmonton, defender David Edgar of Kitchener, Ont., midfielders Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault of Ile Bizard, Que., and Jaime Peters of Pickering, Ont., along with forwards Will Johnson and Andrea Lombardo, both of Toronto.

"We're looking for them to take the responsibility, the expectation that's going to be put on them to be leaders in this team," Mitchell said.

Getting them together in a training camp in Canada is another issue, but they are available now because it's a week for international play in Europe.

"It makes it more difficult to get your hands on them, but when you do get your hands on them, in theory, you get a better developed player," Mitchell said.

The Canadians and Scots took advantage of the European schedules to set up two friendlies in B.C. The second is Tuesday in Victoria.

In addition to their development in Europe, the six Canadians bring the experience of playing in the U-20 tournament in Netherlands where their young side didn't advance from group play.

All but Begovic, who is recovering from a knee injury, are expected to see action against Scotland, a surprise second-place team among the six European qualifiers.

Edgar made the biggest splash overseas when he scored his first English Premier League goal on New Year's Day, giving Newcastle United a 2-2 tie with Manchester United.

Mitchell said expectations for Canada are higher than usual and preparation has gone well. There will be an additional six tune-ups, including a May 11 date with defending U-20 champion Argentina at BMO Field in Toronto.

"It's important for our boys to learn how to play in front of a crowd," he said.

"It's important for them to learn how to play with some expectations because with Canadian teams there's not always a ton of expectation at the international level, but we'll have some come this summer."

Group ticket sales have topped 500,000 for the 52 matches. Single-game tickets go on sale April 1.

Canada, which qualified as host country, is in a group A with Chile, Austria and African champion Republic of Congo. Their games will be played in Edmonton and Toronto.

Scotland, one of six teams to qualify out of Europe, will face Japan, defending champion Nigeria and Costa Rica in group play in Victoria and Burnaby.

Scotland lost 2-1 to Spain in the UEFA qualifying final, but have made it to their first FIFA world cup of any kind in a decade.

And expectations are high at home, said coach Archie Gimmell, who played for Scotland in the 1978 World Cup.

"Since we got to the final, everybody is expecting us to do wonders over here and as you know, if you've been in the game a long, long time, it doesn't happen that way."

He left five first-team players at home for this tour because of injury but promised a hard-working side.

"There's a great work ethic among the lads and a never-say-die attitude," he said.

He's also looking to the current tour to recruit a Tartan Army among the many ex-pat Scots who live in B.C. for support during the tournament.

Mitchell said Scotland will be a well-organized team that can vary its game.

"They also have some big boys up front that they can go to that have some skill and presence."

Notes: Canada's best result at the U-20 level was in 2003 in the United Arab Emirates when they lost their quarter-final to Spain in extra time ... Canada has qualified for seven of the previous 15 U-20 World Cups ... the Canadians have a 2-5-3 record in exhibition play leading to this year's tournament.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Men’s U-20 Team
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Canada-Argentina tickets on sale this Monday
http://www.canadasoccer.com/eng/medi...?Press_ID=2666


Jaime Peters

Tickets to game three of the Hyundai Canadian men’s U-20 tour presented by Yahoo! Canada go on sale this Monday 9 April 2007. The 11 May match between Canada and Argentina will mark the official opening of BMO Field in Toronto.

The Toronto tickets are available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.ca or by calling 416-872-5000. Tickets prices range from $30-$100. Group sales are available through 416.360.GOAL.

Canada split their first two matches against Scotland in the Hyundai Canadian men’s U-20 tour presented by Yahoo! Canada. They won 3:1 in Coquitlam then lost 1:2 in Victoria. For match three in Toronto, Canada will be up against five-time world youth champions Argentina, the most-successful team in the history of the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Canada is hosting the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007. The six host sites are Victoria, Burnaby, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. The tournament runs 30 June to 22 July.

[tdr]

i have to say you guys have a pretty good U-20/U-21 team

that coach should become the senior NT coach for Canada

[Joe MacCarthy]

Originally Posted by Humetu Huso

i have to say you guys have a pretty good U-20/U-21 team. That coach should become the senior NT coach for Canada

It looks like Toronto FC will be fulfilling the role for which it was intended. Many of the U20 players who are not playing in Europe are now with the Toronto FC reserves playing at a higher level than was previously possible without having been signed abroad.

While it is likely that someday coach Dale Mitchell (formerly one of Canada's all-time best players) will coach the senior NT it is looking like the job will go to Brazilian Rene Simoes (to be announced shortly).

Mitchell will have his hands full trying to get a positive result this summer at the WYC.

In some bizarre somewhat related news it is looking like Heerenveen is not going to renew U20 Will Johnson's contract. He has scored prolifically for the reserves (four goals this week alone, 20 in 25 games?) and has had much PT with the main team.

Chicago owns his MLS rights IIRC but TFC would love to have him.

He is far too good, however, to not play for some decent European side.

Edit: Looks like the disagreement between Heerenveen and Johnson is over money not talent. Also, Dale Mitchell got the senior men's NT job

[tdr]

^ cool ...i'll be rooting for Canada at the WYC (since my NT is not there)

[Joe MacCarthy]

Men’s U-20 Team
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Ricketts’ hat trick evens series with USA
http://www.canadasoccer.com/eng/medi...?Press_ID=2724

Canada 4 : 0 United States (match tracker)

OTTAWA (ONTARIO) - Canada’s men’s youth (U-20) team defeated their American counterparts on Wednesday night in Kingston, ON. The young Canucks won 4:0 on the strength of a Tosaint Ricketts hat trick in the fifth game of the Hyundai men’s U-20 tour presented by Yahoo! Canada. The victory helped Canada split their two-match series with the United States after a loss on Sunday in Ottawa.

'It was good what happened to us on Sunday,' said coach Dale Mitchell of the team’s 4:1 loss in Ottawa. 'We learned quite a bit and we went back to playing our strengths.'

It took Ricketts all of two minutes to score his first goal of the match. The striker displayed excellent skill and speed to break in and put the ball past American goalkeeper Diego Restrepo.

Canada continued to press and added a second goal just 17 minutes later off the foot of Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault. Another nine minutes after that, Ricketts scored his second goal as Canada went up 3-0.

At the other end of the pitch, Canadian goalkeeper Asmir Begovic maintained a clean sheet throughout the first half. David Monsalve took his place in the second half and did the same.

As for Ricketts, he completed the hat trick in the 65th minute, putting Canada up 4-0.

'It’s always good to score,' said Ricketts. 'That’s my job, especially as the lone striker.'

Ricketts became just the sixth youth player to score a hat trick for Canada, the first since Niall Thompson on 7 July 1991 (also a 4:0 win against the United States. Ricketts moves into first place amongst active youth players with five career goals (four games).

In the five years since Canada first played in Kingston, the national teams have faired well against their opponents. In five contests (all since 2003), Canada has four wins (senior women, senior men, senior men, youth men) and one draw (youth men). Attendance for Wednesday’s match was 3,382.

Canada’s next and final game in the Hyundai men’s U-20 tour presented by Yahoo! Canada will be played on 18 June in Edmonton, AB. Canada will face the Czech Republic at Commonwealth Stadium.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Taking the field
By ROB LONGLEY -- Sun Media
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Can...38746-sun.html

Jaime Peters knows as much or more than any Canadian player on this year's U-20 team about the thrill of performing in front of a lively, soccer-mad crowd.

Unfortunately, prior to this summer, the Pickering native had to go thousands of miles from home to experience the sensation.

A promising young midfielder with Ipswich Town in England, Peters loves coming home to Ontario to visit with family and friends.

All are no doubt impressed with his accomplishments, making it as a professional player at such a young age in soccer-crazed England.

Now his domestic rooting section will get a chance to sample the feeling first-hand when Canada opens the FIFA U-20 World Cup with a July 1 match against Chile.

"The passion in Britain is unbelievable," Peters said recently about regularly playing in front of 25,000 at Ipswich. "It's a great atmosphere.

"Now it's going to be great to play in front of my friends and family and show we can compete against the best in the world."

Peters, who recently turned 20, got a nice taste of the response he and his teammates can expect during Canada's sold out friendly against Argentina at BMO Field in May.

Peters was easily the most electrifying player on the pitch that night as Canada fought the good fight in a 2-1 loss to the defending champions. By the second half, he had the fans roaring every time he neared the ball.

Peters is one of the prospects Canadian coach Dale Mitchell hopes will continue his progress on the senior team he will take over after the U-20 event concludes.

"The good thing is that when they are with European clubs, they are getting training, getting good games," Mitchell said of Peters' development overseas. "When they come back, they are more developed and more mature players."

7 CANADA

JAIME PETERS

Born May 4, 1987 and raised in Pickering, Ont. ... Turned down offers from developmental squads of Manchester United and Chelsea before signing on with Ipswich Town ... Dynamic midfielder played a year of youth soccer in Germany at Kaiserslautern, which played host to some World Cup games in 2006 ... Made his debut with the Canadian national team at age 17 and has played in 13 contests since ... Got a taste of U-20 action as part of the Canadian team in the 2005 event in the Netherlands ... Also played baseball and basketball while growing up east of Toronto ... The 5-foot-7 speedster does his best work down the right flank ...

[Joe MacCarthy]

Hottest feet in Canada boost soccer squad
Edmonton's Ricketts lock to make under-20 club

Scott Petersen
The Edmonton Journal
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjourna...a78dd56b2c&p=1

Thursday, June 14, 2007

EDMONTON - Tosaint Ricketts can flat-out fly, and the wheels in his legs could soon cause the world's defenders to curse in a handful of languages.

The Edmonton product with the Jamaican roots looks like a lock for Canada's roster for the fast-approaching FIFA Under-20 World Cup. Boasting the hottest feet in the country by burning defenders to pop five goals in four games will do that.

That type of offensive success surprised even Ricketts. He was a lesser-known hopeful just a year ago.

"I always expect to do fairly well, but you never know how it's going to turn out coming to a new team with new people," said the 19-year-old. "But yeah, it's surprised me a lot how my success has been."

Ricketts gives a nod to his speed for his goal-scoring proficiency. He used to run track in high school, and run it well. He competed in the 100, 200, and 400-metre races, often winning city competitions, he said, and once taking the provincials in the 200.

Opponents can attest to the fact he doesn't slow down much with a ball at his feet. So does one of his former coaches, Sean Fleming of Edmonton's National Training Centre.

"He's a tremendous athlete and obviously his pace is something that is a very special gift that he has," said Fleming.

Fleming coached Ricketts from ages 15-17.

That extra gear was on display last week in a hat-trick performance during a 4-0 win over the U.S. in Kingston, Ont.

Ricketts stripped a defender on the first goal and ripped down the side to slide it through the keeper's legs. He added a little shake-and-bake around two defenders on his second goal before finishing the strike.

He completed the trick on a run down the side before cutting inside and letting loose.

Ricketts credits his success to hard work on his skills and fitness, which he said allows him to play as hard in the 90th minute of a game as he does in the first minute.

He also gives some credit to Fleming.

"He was good inspiration for me," said Ricketts. "He always pushed me. Earlier, like when I was younger, my attitude wasn't really the greatest, but he broke me out of that, built me up as a striker and got me playing how I am today."

Fleming believes Ricketts' attitude is part of the reason he's ascended to his current level. He said the player had a quiet confidence in his abilities and

possibly a bit of a strut in his walk, but also knew how good he could be, listened and worked hard.

Ricketts also went out of his comfort zone to play soccer the past two seasons at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

"I think, having done that, he's seeing the rewards for being so committed," said Fleming.

The Canadian team is also seeing those rewards.

Ricketts notched two goals in his first action against Scotland after entering as a late sub. And he's been named top Canadian his past two contests.

Those performances have vaulted him from potential support player to possible key player for Canada.

He'll be in the lineup for Monday's friendly at Commonwealth Stadium against the Czech Republic. He hopes that status will carry into the World Cup.

"I'm quite excited," said Ricketts. "It's going to be good playing in front of a home crowd. My family's going to be there, my mom hasn't seen me in a while. I'm happy about that."

And the Canadian coaching staff is no doubt happy they've found him, too -- just in time.

spetersen@thejournal.canwest.com

UPCOMING GAMES

Canada vs. Czech Republic - Friendly
Monday, June 18, 7 p.m., Commonwealth Stadium
FIFA Under-20 World Cup - June 30-July 22 at Victoria, Burnaby, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal

[Joe MacCarthy]

Young striker bringing it on home
For Andrea Lombardo, those years in Italy learning the game are paying off
By BILL LANKHOF
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Can...65921-sun.html


Andrea Lombardo, at 20 years of age, is one of Canada's brightest offensive stars of the future. (Craig Robertson/Sun Media)

There are moments when Andrea Lombardo looks up from the BMO Stadium pitch into the stands and gets the feeling he never left Italy.

It is, in those moments, that the just-turned 20-year-old striker for Toronto FC and Canada's under-20 team realizes how far both he and his sport have grown in a few short years.

"I knew it would be good, but I never expected the fan support to be so passionate," Andrea says, strands of hair hanging in dew-like fashion into his neck from a morning training session. "It's not like I get noticed on the streets, but the fans have a chant for me when I come on. It's an honour they think enough of me to do that.

"Our fans have a very European mentality ... When guys from the other teams go to take a corner where our fans are, they'll start throwing things at them or chanting: 'Who are You? Who are You?' You don't see that in any other MLS stadium. That's what they do in Europe or South America. It really makes you proud to play here."

Lombardo hasn't always had reason to feel that way. There was a time when the only thing that mattered to him was finding a way out of Toronto and out of Canada.

"He always said: 'Daddy, if I want to continue playing, you've got to get me out of here.' " says Onofrio Lombardo from the family home north of Toronto. "He never said, 'I don't want to be away from home, my friends.' Soccer is his passion."

At 15, Andrea earned a spot with Manchester City's development squad, only to lose it with visa problems. Soon after, he would follow his older brother, Steven, to Italy, to try out with Atalanta -- that country's No. 1 youth development program.

And, so began Andrea's meandering pathway from North York, via England, Milan and Perugia, to the stadium at Lake Ontario that he now calls home.

"I wanted to make soccer a career. At the time my father and I both knew that wasn't possible by staying in Canada," he says.

At 17, Andrea enrolled in high school at Atalanta's home base just outside Milan. He didn't speak much Italian.

"My dad would talk to me in Italian and I'd answer him in English. Then, I get over there and now I have to do Grade 12 in Italian. The only time I spoke English was when I talked to my parents on the telephone," he says.

Onofrio chuckles at the memory. To this day, he is undecided whether this chapter in the family history was hardest on his wife or on his youngest of three sons.

"We are a close-knit family. We spoke on the phone every day. It was hard," he says. "But our oldest son (Steven) had also played in Italy when he was 16 so we had some idea what it would be like. When my first son went, my wife (Anna Maria) said to me: 'Because of your stupid soccer, my son has gone away and he's only 16.' With Andrea it was more accepted that he really wanted to do this himself."

Onofrio had a brother and sister living in Milan. And, every four months he and Anna Maria would fly over to visit. Onofrio remembers the first time, in October of 2004.

"We had return tickets ready for him," he says. "He didn't want to show us how much he missed us, but when we were leaving he hugged his mother and he broke up and cried ... you could tell he missed Toronto, family and friends. But, he never used the return ticket. He said: 'I'm okay, I'm here to do a job.' "

Andrea would spend the next 31/2 years learning the intricacies of a sport in a way he would never have been able to do in Canada.

"I knew a lot of kids I played with who were amazing players but just fell off the rails and stopped playing," he says. "It's tough to see. It's a shame but that's what happens when you don't have the soccer environment. We have good grassroots players. It's just a matter of developing them like they do in Europe. "

"Atalanta was really good because from eight-year-olds to the first team, we all trained in one place. Eight or 10 pitches. When you're a kid that's important because you can see: 'Yeah, one day I want to be up there with those guys in Serie A.' Most of the good clubs over there have facilities like that."

About the only thing he couldn't stomach was the food. Living in the team dorm, all players were expected to eat in the cafeteria. Attendance was taken. Unfortunately, dessert should have come with a stomach pump.

"The food was disgusting," Andrea says, shaking his head. "We had to go down for dinner because if we didn't, we'd get into trouble. We'd get a plate of something, sit for about 20 minutes, then dump it, go back upstairs and order pizza. Three or four times a week. Good thing Italy has good pizza places."

But the soccer was good. He made his Serie B debut in October 2005 -- still one of the highlights of his young career next to playing on Canada's under-20 team. He signed a five-year pro contract in 2005 and today he is fluent in Italian, French, English and homemaking.

"When you move out at 16, there's a lot of maturing to do in a short amount of time," he offers. "My roommate and I learned to cook and do our own laundry."

He was also learning that soccer was growing up back home and after a season with Perugia, when Toronto FC came sniffing around, he asked for, and got, his release.

DEVELOPMENT

"I don't think I'd be playing with Toronto FC right now if I hadn't gone over there to play," he says. "It helped me develop because the biggest difference was that in Toronto you practise three times a week after school and if you didn't feel like going you'd call the coach and say: 'I've got to stay home and study.' In Italy that doesn't exist. There's no excuses for missing practice. There's no calling the coach. They treat you as a young professional and that's what got me where I am now."

He is now one of the brightest young offensive stars on the horizon for Canada. In a warmup game for the under-20 World Cup tournament, to be held next month in Canada, he was named man of the match in a 2-1 loss against powerful Argentina. Evidently, the only one who wasn't impressed was Andrea himself.

"I was really upset because their second, the losing goal, was actually my fault because the guy I was marking ended up scoring. I was supposed to do an interiew with a TV station after the game, but I was so upset someone else had to do it."

He has the stereotypical Italian temperament.

"That's one of my flaws. I'm very emotional," he says. "It's good for me in one way because it helps me play the game well, but it also gets me into trouble with yellow cards. I haven't had a red card, ever, but I have to keep my emotions in check."

He has helped the team beat Scotland, the Czech Republic and the U.S. -- all among the top 20 youth teams in the world. The tournament, he says, "could be a launch for the sport in the country. If we can have a good tournament, it'll gain this country some respect ... people will realize Canadians can play soccer, too."

Meantime, Anna Maria Lombardo has the potatoes with sausage and peas in the oven. And, pass the pasta a la bolonaise. Andrea's favourite.

"Italy was nice," he says, "but home is always home."