Canada's captain sits out under-20 loss

[Vicenç]

Edgar injured, we'are doom!!!!!

http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/sto ... 8d&k=48521


Richard Starnes, CanWest News Service; Ottawa Citizen
Published: Monday, June 04, 2007
Article tools

OTTAWA - Canada's under-20 World Cup soccer hopefuls were soundly beaten 4-1 by the United States at Frank Clair Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

If that makes you gloomy about what might happen when the World Cup finals begin a month from now, you should be far more upset about the news coach Dale Mitchell had after the game.

David Edgar, team captain and a player Canada cannot do without, injured his groin a couple of days ago and didn't dress for Sunday's contest. Mitchell said his most important man was feeling a little more comfortable Sunday, but the coach would make no predictions about how long recovery might take. It's likely Edgar will not recover in time to lead his country into its first World Cup game against Chile on Canada Day at BMO Field in Toronto.

Still, what went on with Canada's defence Sunday night pointed to how little soccer depth this country has and how desperate things could be without the defender who has seen English Premier League action with Newcastle.

Edgar is the heart of the Canadian under-20 team's defence, and his experience and leadership was badly missed. Players were caught out of position too often, set-play marking was often out of sync and inexperienced players gave the ball in inappropriate places, allowing the U.S. squad far too many scoring chances.

Mitchell was missing more than Edgar, too. There was no Jamie Peters, for example, and that left Peters' striking partner, Andrea Lombardo, looking out of sorts. He battled hard enough, but lacked the support that Peters usually brings.

Still, this should not be all gloomy for Canada. Sunday's exhibition game - and another in Kingston, Ont. on Wednesday - were not designed to show off the talents of the best players.

Rather, these matches are needed for coaches to give players on the bubble a chance to impress at a high level. Those who fail the grade will not make a final squad of 21 for Canada's World Cup entry.

These games are also meant to pinpoint deficiencies, and Sunday night there were two glaring ones.

First, set pieces, from which a majority of goals usually come in tournaments such as the World Cup, must be improved.

Perhaps more important, too many Canadian players lost concentration too often, and that will be punished at this level of competition.

But on the plus side, it should also be pointed out that Canada's Will Johnson looked to be the quality midfielder we have been told about, while Christian Nunez and Keegan Ayre performed with considerable skill as Johnson's midfield partners.

For the record, Andre Akpan, a Harvard engineering student, got his angles right nine minutes into the match, the first time the U.S. reached the Canadian penalty area. He popped up completely unmarked at the back post to meet a powerful free kick and side-footed the ball home.

Canada drew level at 15 minutes, when fullback Nana Attakora-Gyan first-timed a corner by Johnson.

Preston Zimmerman, a rough-and-tumble striker the 3,250 fans in attendance loved to jeer, took the U.S. into half-time 2-1 ahead by scoring a 25th-minute goal.

The second half was mostly a U.S. affair, especially after Mitchell started to make substitutions. Goals from Sal Zizzo and Johann Smith in the final 10 minutes sealed the match.

Ottawa Citizen
© CanWest News Service 2007

[Main de Dieu]

Are the country's chances of winning this thing based on a horny teenage romp? May the tabloid gossip begin...