Canada's men's national youth program split a two-match international series with CONCACAF rivals USA in Carson, CA, USA.
Canada dropped the first match 1:3 on Friday 23 October, then won the second match just 48 hours later on Sunday 25 October. "When our players got it right, they did very well and that showed in the second match," said Canada's Men's U-20 Coach Rob Gale. "This is a very receptive group that has learned lots of tactical information in a short period of time."
Both the Canada and USA squads featured players born 1999 or later as part of their U-18 development programs (these players are still classed U-16 in 2015). Canada's camp started at home in Burnaby, BC on 17 October before the 20-player team traveled to Carson on 20 October. Coach Gale featured 19 of his 20 players in the two matches, with just one player hurt and unavailable for selection.
"The two matches were similar, but we were more dynamic in the second match," said Gale. "We hit posts and had some shots saved by the USA goalkeeper: we could have been up by two or three in the first 20 minutes."
Gale said that while the team was disappointed to lose the lead twice in the Sunday afternoon match, he was impressed that the team found a way to win.
"We really challenged the group, both mentally and tactically, to the way we want to play," said Gale. "They have been excellent in terms of their understanding and asking questions. They reacted well and we really did play some excellent football."
The 1999-born players from both sides are eligible for international youth competitions up until the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2019 and CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying for 2020. Canada's roster also included six players born in 2000 who are also eligible for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017.
"It is important to build off this camp and to continue to get our players into international matches," said Gale.
Goal scorers in the Friday match were Glenn Muenkat (8') for Canada and Nick Taitague (43') and Nebiyou Perry (68', 90') for USA. Canada's man of the match was Dante Campbell. Goal scorers in the Sunday match were Muenkat (4', 90'+) and Alphonso Davies (62') for Canada and Griffin Dorsey (30') and Taitague (70') for USA. Canada's man of the match in the win was Muenkat.
This was the 17th Canadian men's national youth project this calendar year, from the U-15 (2000-born) to U-23 (1993-born) level. From CONCACAF competitions to youth identification camps, the program has featured more than 200 players in 2015.
