U17s Pull Away From USA

Canada starts season with big win over USA
Canada’s men’s U-17 team picked up its first win of the 2009 season after a 5:2 victory over USA at Eckard College in St. Petersburg, FL. The young Canucks scored three times in the second half to pull away from their CONCACAF neighbours as both side continue to prepare and experiment in advance of April’s CONCACAF Men’s Under-17 Championship in Tijuana, Mexico. In all, five different players scored for Canada – Coulton Jackson, Jaineil Hoilett, Russell Teibert, Mujtaba Sharifi and Jordan Ongaro.

“There were some very good goals scored today, so I was happy how well we took advantage of our chances,” said coach Sean Fleming . “It was good to see a much better second half after a shaky first half. The boys should be proud of their performance in their first international match.”

On field turf in 80-degree weather and against a seasoned opponent, Canada could have been more hesitant from the first whistle. Less than a minute from the start, however, Canada was up 1-0 after Jackson connected on a pass from his regular club teammate Teibert. Off the counter attack, Teibert looked up before driving a cross-field pass to Jackson; Jackson then strode in from 30 yards out, pulled inside the full back, and unleashed an unstoppable drive into the far top left corner.

Canada’s early excitement was quickly washed away, however, less than three minutes later. USA’s Juan Agudelo drove home a low shot for the equalizer after he was given too much time and space at the edge of the box. As the teams tried to settle in, both Agudelo and Andrew Craven created plenty of problems for the Canadian back four. It was perhaps no surprise, then, that Agudelo doubled his tally in the 15th minute after he received a pass from Craven off the left side. Agudelo, unmarked at just eight yards out, made no mistake.

Ten minutes later, Agudelo tried to make it 3-1, but Canadian goalkeeper Garret Cyprus was up to the task. It was a key save before Canada turned the tide on the host.

Despite Canada ’s problems on the back end, Canada had plenty of push up front. Jackson gave USA ’s left back Jordan McCrary a terrible morning, attacking him from both sides. Abdoulaye Sylla and Teibert were also on their game, combining well with Hoilett in the target role. In the 35th minute, Hoilett evened the score after he took advantage of a goalkeeper deflection. Sylla initiated the trickery and played one-two with Kevin Cobby before Sylla toe poked a shot that USA’s Jonathan Kempin stopped. It was on the ensuing deflection that Hoilett scored his first international goal.

Coach Fleming looked for defensive reorganization before the second half, especially in the central back. He also encouraged the quick Canadian attack that looked so dangerous in the first half. Within five minutes of the restart, Jonathan Lao missed on a glorious attempt from just eight yards out. Taking advantage of the work by Jackson , Lao fired a dragged shot that went wide of the goal.

Nevertheless, the Canadian side smelt blood on the attack.

In the 57th minute, Teibert, now on the right flank, blasted a left-footed shot from 22 yards out into the far corner of the goal. There was little chance for USA goalkeeper as Canada took a 3-2 lead.

Down a goal, USA tried to make a comeback, but Canadian defenders Karl Ouimette and Derrick Bassi were now well organized in the back end. USA provided a couple of long-range efforts, but nothing that came close. In the 75th minute, USA’s Boyd Okwuono created a good chance with a header off a corner kick, but the ball went wide.

In the last 21 minutes, Canadian coach Fleming made three substitutions, starting with Sharifi for Sylla in the 70th minute. Fleming also brought in Kule Kambere (for Jackson ) in the 75th minute and Ongaro (for Hoilett) in the 78th minute. Before the final substitution, Kambere combined with Sharifi for Canada ’s fourth goal of the game; Kambere’s deflected header fell in front of Sharifi who fired home the goal from just five yards out.

USA tried in vain to push forward, but Canada dominated possession and sprang forward with counter attack after counter attack. In injury time, Canadian substitute Ongaro made it 5-2 after he fired home volley off a Sharifi cross. It was the last shot of the game before the referee’s final whistle.

Canada has an all-time record of five wins, no draws and 17 losses at the U-17 level against USA . The five goals scored were the most by Canada in 22 contests, as Canada had never scored more than two goals in a game against USA . The five goals was also the most Canada had scored against any U-17 opponent since a 5:0 win over Haiti on 19 May 2005.

As this was Canada’s first international match of the year, all five Canadian goal scorers potted their first international goal. Canada’s next two international matches are 14 February and 16 February against Guatemala in Guatemala City .

USA vs U17s In St Pete

Canada’s men’s U-17 will kick off its 2009 international schedule this Wednesday February 11 in St. Petersburgh, FL with a friendly match against USA. The two sides will kick off at 10.00 at Eckerd College as both teams continue to prepare for April’s CONCACAF Men’s Under-17 Championship in Mexico .

“This will be a great test as these boys play their first international match on Wednesday,” said coach Sean Fleming . “I hope that we are able to build on the good performances during our last camp in Guadalajara (in December).”

Canada is in Tampa for the first part of a two-week camp that will shift to Guatemala later this week. Canada is one of eight teams that has qualified for the 2009 CONCACAF Men’s Under-17 Championship in Tijuana, Mexico . Canada is in Group A with USA , Honduras and Cuba ; Guatemala , Costa Rica , Trinidad & Tobago and host Mexico are in Group B. The tournament begins 21 April and concludes 2 May. The top four teams in the tournament qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009.

It has been nearly two years since Canada ’s last international match at the 2007 CONCACAF Men’s Under-17 Championship in Jamaica . Canada posted one win, one draw and two losses in its group phase, thus failing to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007. Canada also had a 1:2 loss to Mexico in 2007 before the CONCACAF tournament.

Unlike the lead up to the last CONCACAF qualification tournament in 2007, Canada will have more than just one international friendly in 2009. Later this week, Canada will play a pair of international friendly matches in Guatemala City against Guatemala . Those two matches are set for 14 February and 16 February.

On Monday of this week, Canada played to a 1:1 draw against 2008 Big East champion University of South Florida . Canada will continue its camp through 17 February.