Canada’s Men’s U-17 squad wrapped up its April camp in the U.S. in preparation for next year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017.
Kia TFC Academy was well represented as U-17 Head Coach Paul Stalteri called 11 Academy athletes – Gianluca Catalano, Julian Dunn-Johnson, Rocco Romeo, Afram Gorgees, Leekwon Kinghorn, Terique Mohammed, Olakunle Dada-Luke, Jordan Faria, Luca Petrasso, Josh Moreira, and Steffen Yeates – into the camp.
Following the pair of Men's U-17 International Friendly matches, Canadian players will now return to their clubs to continue their development as part of Canada Soccer Men's EXCEL Program.
The eight-day camp ran 10-17 April, with Friday and Sunday matches at the end of the camp in Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA. Canada lost both matches to USA by a similar 1:3 scoreline, but their performance was much improved in the 17 April match.
"It was a much better performance," said Paul Stalteri, Canada Soccer's Men's National U-17 Coach. "The scoreline was one thing, but we were much happier with the performance. It was a good reaction (after Friday's loss), so we can take a lot of positives from the performance."
This was Canada's second U-17 camp this calendar year, with the age group featuring players born 2000 or later. The team will participate in the CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship, with dates and location yet to be announced. Four nations from the CONCACAF tournament will qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017.
"The two matches were positive (because) our players saw at what level they need to compete," said Stalteri. "Our level was much higher (in the second match); we matched up one-v-one, we created a number of chances, and we limited their chances."
In the first match, Jonathan David (79') was Canada's goal scorer, countered by George Acosta (23'), Christopher Goslin (49'), and Andrew Carleton (59') from USA. In the second match, Terique Mohammed opened the scoring (21'), countered by Carleton (38' penalty) and Ayo Akinola (76' and 90'+3).
Canada Soccer’s Men’s EXCEL Program channels our nation’s exceptional players into the best soccer environments. The Canada Soccer Pathway works in collaboration with our provincial and territory partners as well as the professional clubs and academies. For Canada’s elite players, the program emphasizes player development on the pathway to representing Canada’s Men’s National Team in international soccer.
