Canada’s U-17 World Cup team has played to two draws in two matches so far in the tournament. They meet Group E leaders Argentina on Friday in Dubai, with the nation's first-ever spot in the round of 16 on the line.
Three members of the KIA Toronto FC Academy are on Head Coach Sean Fleming’s tournament roster, and he had glowing reports about all three. “They’ve all come in and done well. Kevon Black has played every minute and been very steady," said Fleming by phone on Wednesday from the UAE. "He’s shown great character - I know that he plays centreback with TFC, yet he’s come here to play left back, and he’s adapted well, and he’s had a very steady tournament.”
“Eli Roubos has been very steady, too,” enthused Fleming about the other TFC defender on the roster, “and he’s also played every minute. He scored on the penalty (against Austria) due to his composure and the confidence that we have in him. He’s been great under pressure, he has put his foot in, and read the game very well for us. He’s done really well.”
Toronto striker Jordan Hamilton (pictured above) has been one of the stars of the World Cup, scoring in both games to lead Group E in goals. Fleming described how, while the goals are impressive, Hamilton’s contribution to the squad goes far beyond the scoresheet: “even moreso what I’m very impressed with is his work ethic here and his commitment. On the pitch, he’s been fantastic - getting on the ball, challenging everything, competing for everything, which has been great to see. He’s really in a good moment right now.”
As he looks beyond this particular tournament and into the future of the Canadian program, Fleming is pleased about the contribution of the professional club academies like Toronto’s. “It’s fantastic that the clubs are taking that approach, getting the players into daily environments, getting them training with the best players and with professional coaching as well,” Fleming explained. “When you come over to these big tournaments, you see kids that train at Borussia Dortmund, at AC Milan; there are some unbelievable clubs represented here with the kids that we’re playing against. So it’s helping minimize that gap, for sure.”
In some ways, the future is now, as there is some immediate history to be made on Friday for Canada, buoyed by these 3 KIA Toronto FC Academy players.
