Toronto

By Vijay Setlur

Back from the Caribbean, Canada hit the pitch Sunday morning at BMO Field to prepare for Tuesday’s game against Puerto Rico. Under a clear sky , coach Stephen Hart put the players through a good workout that focused on positioning, and ball movement through a series of short-field scrimmages.  The players were active and pacey knowing a win at home could virtually lock up a berth in the semifinals of FIFA World Cup qualifying beginning next summer.  Following the session Hart expressed to me and the other media his approval of the team’s play in their 7-0 rout of St. Lucia last Friday.  Going in, Hart wanted the players to show more focus and control and they did that showing composure, while executing their chances in an all-around solid showing.

Looking ahead…

Canada will hold its final training session Tuesday morning, likely closed to the media.  Hart will work on tactics specific to Puerto Rico, the team he felt was the only legitimate threat to Canada.  Canada beat Puerto Rico 3-0 at San Juan on Sept. 6 in what Hart felt was the key game and with a better knowledge his squad is in a good position to pull off another win.  With just two points from three matches, the islanders will be looking to play the spoiler as they build their soccer program in a territory dominated by baseball.

Toronto

By Vijay Setlur

The critics were out in force.  Thirty chances on goal and just four goals to show for it against a lowly opponent in Canada’s win over St. Lucia Sept. 2 in Toronto.  Fast forward a month and the naysayers are a little quieter after Canada dissected St. Lucia 7-0 at Gros Islet, St. Lucia on Friday.  It was an impressive offensive performance with Canada attacking throughout and – executing – seemingly at will.  Simeon Jackson scored a hat trick and Iain Hume and Olivier Occean each added two goals in a game that marked Canada’s highest goal total in a World Cup Qualifier.

New Offensive Sources?

I’m obviously elated with the win, but for more reasons than the outcome.   The result shows the team is becoming increasingly cohesive with each passing game.  Credit the new CONCACAF qualifying format for adding more games to the campaign.  The players, who normally convene just days before a game and not again for months, are becoming familiar with each other to the point they know where their teammates are on the field.  That’ll improve the offensive execution, an issue that had hampered the team of late.  As well, the goals by Hume and Occean couldn’t come at a better time.  With no real talismanic “go-to-guy” on offense, Canada will rely on scoring by committee.  Hume’s and Occean’s output is refreshing and takes the pressure off Dwayne De Rosario and Jackson as Canada looks to book its berth in the semifinal round next year.  We’re also seeing signs of a killer instinct developing, something that midfielder Josh Simpson said he’d like to see among his teammates as they progress in qualifying.  Canada is young and hungry for international success and combined with that edge could prove to be a force in the later rounds.

Verging on the semis

A place in the semifinals looks increasingly assured.  Canada has nine points from three games, four up on second-place St. Kitts and Nevis, and will face Puerto Rico Tuesday at BMO Field.  A win and Canada is virtually assured of the semifinal berth.  Technically St. Kitts would still have a chance by knocking off Canada in the last two matches, but I just don’t see that happening twice in back-to-back games.  Stephen Hart has done a solid job of not only focusing his team, but also managing personnel.  He has effectively handled changes in the roster and provided playing time for nearly all of his players, especially the youngsters.  The players, especially Hume and Occean, have responded well with strong play and offensive production.

Looking ahead..

Canada will train Sunday morning at BMO Field at 10:30 a.m. and take to the pitch again Tuesday morning ahead of Tuesday’s game.  Visit Red, White and Goooaaalll!!!” for my recap of the sessions and pics.  Tickets are still available so get yours and support Canada as it closes in on a berth in the semifinals.  The Voyageurs and Umbro Canada, Canada’s kit supplier, are teaming up for a canned soup drive with the most generous fans having the opportunity to win Umbro apparel.  It’s a win-win situation and and a win by Canada will make it that much more sweeter to “taste the soup.”

San Juan, Puerto Rico

By Vijay Setlur

It’s great to be writing from San Juan.  This trip is a milestone for me in two ways.  It’s my first trip covering Canada outside mainland North America and my first visit to the Caribbean.  The weather is great here and I’m stoked about tonight’s Canada-Puerto Rico match.  Interestingly, Canada is on the mind of sports fans here.  As I write, Canada is facing Puerto Rico in the FIBA Tournament of the Americas in Argentina with both teams vying for an 2012 Olympic basketball berth.

Tonight’s game is one many have said will be the most difficult.  In Puerto Rico, Canada will be facing a cohesive team as many national team players also play on the NASL’s Puerto Rico Islanders.  With Friday’s draw at St. Kitts and Nevis, Puerto Rico can vault into first place in the group with a victory.  These factors and the conditions make tonight’s game not only a challenge, but pivotal in the standings.  A win and Canada will start to create some distance.  Before I look too far ahead, I’d like to reflect back on Friday’s St. Lucia match and chime in on my breakdown of Canada’s performance on and off the field.

Backline

Not much to say.  Kevin McKenna, Ante Jazic, Andre Hainault and Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgeault didn’t have to contend with much as Canada pinned St. Lucia in its own end for much of the game.  The backline will be tested more against Puerto Rico when it will have to contend with the hostile fans and ground conditions and heat.  These conditions, combined with Puerto Rico’s cohesiveness make this likely the most difficult game for Canada in this round.  Grade B-

Midfield

Simpson was the best among a three-man group consisting of Atiba Hutchinson, Julian de Guzman and Josh Simpson.  He was a threat on the wing joining the three forwards up front in pinching on the attack.  Overall the troika controlled the ball well and tried to spring through-balls to the forwards up front.  Their passes were sometimes wayward, but that’s not surprising considering the lack of time playing together.  Grade B

Forwards

Hart started a 4-3-3 formation with three players up front to apply pressure on St. Lucia from the outset.  It worked as Canada dominated play early againt the inferior opposition leading to the first goal in the sixth minute.   However, the execution, which has been an issue, is still lacking.  Despite holding a 30 to 6 advantage in chances on goal, many forays on goal went agonizingly awry in the final third of the field.  They’ll have to execute better as the chances won’t be so plentiful in future games.  Grade C.

Fans

The announced crowd of 11,500 may not  be impressive to most people.  In this case, though, it’s the quality over quantity.  Canada fans occupied the east, south and west sides of BMO Field, while the majority of St. Lucia fans were in the north end.  In the past visiting fans would be interspersed with Canadian fans, but this setup allowed people to see the exact composition of the crowd, which was largely pro-Canadian – a rarity.  Enjoy it while it lasts as it’ll change if the likes of Honduras come again.  Regardless, I commend the CSA for mobilizing youth soccer associations and working with the Voyageurs and supporters clubs to create a pro-Canada atmosphere for the players.  Grade:  B

Looking ahead

I’ll be enjoying Old Town San Juan today before getting down to business tonight at Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel in Bayamon, a suburb about 45 minutes from here.  Check back tomorrow for my breakdown of the game and pics from tonight’s game.  I can’t think of a better way to commemorate my first trip to the Caribbean with a Canada win, can you?

Toronto

By Vijay Setlur

The red and white are ready to roll.  Canada completed its preparations for Friday’s 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against St. Lucia with a shortened training session Friday morning at BMO Field.  Much of it was closed to the media, so I didn’t see the team’s focus, but can imagine coach Stephen Hart worked again on offensive schemes as he has in training throughout the week.  Once finished, the players walked off the wet pitch upbeat about the start of another qualifying cycle and their chances of opening the second round group stage with a win.  It’s hard to believe this will be the first World Cup Qualifier in Toronto in three years.  In their last game Aug 20, 2008, before an overcapacity crowd of 21,978, at BMO Field, Canada drew Jamaica 1-1 in a disappointing result that contributed to Canada’s downfall in the semifinal round.  This time, the team, under a new coach (Hart) and with a slew of eager young players, is aiming to help Canada qualify for the first time since 1986 –  an agonizing span of 28 years.

World Cup Qualifying Newbies

World Cup qualifying is special for players and fans with the stakes so high in every game.  No fewer than eight of the 19 players on Canada will be experiencing their first qualifying cycle.  Terry Dunfield, Will Johnson, Tossaint Ricketts, Simeon Jackson, Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault, David Edgar, Marcus Haber and Milan Borjan will all get their first taste of the long grind.  Many represent the future of the national team and the experience of a strong campaign will only help Canada in the years ahead.  Haber, who plays for Scotland’s St. Johnstone shared his thoughts, which are likely echoed by the others.  ”It’s exciting and an honour first and foremost,” said Haber.   “I’m happy to be a part of this, it’s a bit of a surprise but I’m happy to be here and its soemthing every footballer wants to do, play for your country, qualifying and potentially a World Cup.”

Canada’s Projected Starting XI

Hart has kept his lineup  and formations a secret all week and rightfully so.  So, I’ll go ahead and “guesstimate” a starting XI of goalkeeper Milan Borjan and defenders Jaime Peters, Andre Hainault, Ante Jazic, and Kevin McKenna.  The midfield could have Josh Simpson, Julian de Guzman, Will Johnson, Terry Dunfield, and Dwayne De Rosario, while attacking midfielder Simeon Jackson, who has played on the flank as an attacking midfielder, is forward as the lone striker.  Atiba Hutchinson would be a starter, but he isn’t 100 per cent recovered from meniscus surgery and Hart may prefer to ease him into qualifying instead of having him face an athletic and physical St. Lucian side from the outset.  We’ll soon see the accuracy of my lineup in a matter of hours.

St. Lucia – an unknown commodity

So what can we expect to see from 184th-ranked St. Lucia?  Coach Alain Providence’s team barely outlasted Aruba in one of the five home-and-home series of the first round, which advanced them to this stage, and was pummelled by Barbados 4-0 in a friendly on Aug 21.  Their 18-man roster mostly consists of domestic players except for three playing in Trinidad and Tobago, not exactly a top-flight league.  Despite their lack of skill and exposure to top level soccer, the Caribbean islanders will be loose, knowing they’re the underdog, and try to use their athleticism to, at least, earn a draw.   If Canada and its superior talent follows its game plan and remains patient against a loose and game St. Lucia, it should be able to easily win the game.

De Rosario’s last chance

I still recall De Rosario as a youngster on Canada’s 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup champion team.  Fast forward 11 years and three World Cup qualifying cycles later, DeRo is likely facing his final attempt at qualifying for the World Cup.  He said earlier this week that fact doesn’t make this campaign any more important than previous ones, but we all know he’ll be out to make the most of his final chance.  ”It has been a long haul and this is obviously another important stage in my career qualifying for 2014 Brasil,” De Rosario told reporters after training Thursday.  ”It’s not to say we havent put everything into all the other qualifiers, but I think with the guys playing top flight football and playing on a consistent basis our chances look really good.”  Named MLS player of the month for August after scoring six times in eight games for D.C. United, DeRo appears in form to repeat that goal-scoring prowess in World Cup qualifying and end Canada’s recent offensive struggles.

Looking ahead…

I’ll be covering the game for CONCACAF.com, but before will drop by Umbro Canada’s World Cup Qualifying headquarters (fan event) at nearby Lamport Stadium.  It should be a great atmosphere and, combined with the backdrop of the Canadian National Exhibition, fans attending the game will be in for a special experience.  I’ll provide images from the festivities and the game and on Saturday will breakdown the match, while looking ahead to Canada’s second WCQ away at Puerto Rico Sept. 6.  I’m delighted to say I’ll be in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, to cover the game, my first assignment covering Canada outside of mainland North America and first trip to the Caribbean.

Toronto

By Vijay Setlur

The scene shifted as Canada completed its final training session Wednesday morning in Alliston, Ontario, before moving to Toronto.  At the InterContinental Toronto Yorkville, they held their official pre-match news conference before a good contingent of Toronto media.  Joined by striker Simeon Jackson and midfielder Atiba Hutchinson, coach Stephen Hart participated in a fireside-style chat with Rogers Sportsnet soccer play-by-play voice Gerry Dobson and discussed various topics from training progress to St. Lucia to the long World Cup qualifying road.

Rogers Sportsnet's Gerry Dobson (left) with Hart (second from left), striker Simeon Jackson and midfielder Atiba Hutchinson

Caribbean Intelligence

Hart made an intriguing point that could help Canada’s preparation against St. Lucia and their other group opponents. From his time growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, Hart knows the Caribbean psyche.  It’s something he’ll relay to his players, but he feels his knowledge of CONCACAF overall is more important.  ”It’s more CONCACAF.  You have to know CONCACAF very very well,” said Hart.  ”It’s a mindset, you have to understand CONCACAF well because CONCACAF has many different styles and many different environments that you go into and luckily I have experience in that area.”  Differing environments is what Hart feels has accounted for Canada’s variance in play between Europe and Central America/Caribbean, a place where they’ll have to perform well to advance to the semifinal stage.  ”I think a lot of that has to do with ground conditions and the environment,” Hart said.  ”You go from soft damp grounds to very hard dry sort of fields and it requires a different type of game completely, so that for me is the biggest challenge sometimes.”

Hart in media scrum

Umbro Canada Rallying Fans

Canada’s kit supplier is creating a World Cup Qualifier headquarters at Lamport Stadium for fans that starts at 5:45 p.m. EST on game day. It’s just part of the festivities Umbro Canada is planning to rally soccer fans for the Qualifiers.  They’ve also organized viewing parties at popular soccer bars in Vancouver and Montreal to help build excitement from coast to coast – something that’ll be important as Canada may play away from Toronto in the semifinal round, if they adance to that stage.  Since Umbro replaced as adidas as the official apparel supplier they’ve done a great work in helping build awareness of the Canadian soccer brand first through the redesign of the jerseys and now with events designed to build support for the national teams.  I can’t wait to see what Umbro has in store for the Canadian Soccer Association’s 100th anniversary in 2012.  Gerald Woodman, president of Umbro Canada, recently told me big things are planned on the apparel front to commemorate that milestone and that’s exciting news for the Canadian soccer brand, which is poised to get stronger with a strong World Cup qualifying run and more corporate partnerships with major Canadian companies.

Looking ahead…

The team will hold their final, and only, training session at BMO Field Thursday morning ahead of Friday’s game.  I’ll be there and will bring back some players’ final thoughts and pics.  Unconfirmed reports claim 10,000 tickets have been sold for the game, a commendable number considering the low calibre of opponent and fans’ (misguided) “results first, support second” mentality with the national team.  The Ontario Soccer Association, local soccer clubs and the supporters groups should be lauded for mobilizing to sell tickets en masse and help create a pro-Canadian atmosphere for the players.

(l to r) Hart, Jackson and Hutchinson

Toronto

By Vijay Setlur

In the midst of the men’s national team’s preparation for its 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier Friday, the Canadian Soccer Association issued a media advisory Wednesday stating it will update the media on its progress in finding a replacement for former women’s national team coach Carolina Morace, who suddenly resigned after Canada’s abysmal performance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup?  Has Canada found that individual?  I’m not certain, but the CSA said a few weeks ago it would have something to announce and why waste the media time’s with no news.

Naming a new women’s coach is a high priority, though 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying is job one at the moment.  It’s important the CSA show Canadian fans it’s serious about addressing its dismal WWC appearance by not only quickly naming a new coach but hiring one with impeccable credentials.  With Canada hosting the Olympic Qualifying tournament in Vancouver this January and the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, poor performances on home soil would be disastrous for women’s soccer in Canada, which has made great strides thanks to great individual players like Christine Sinclair and recent triumphs such as the CONCACAF Women’s Championship.

Alliston, Ontario

By Vijay Setlur

Execution is in the details.  Stephen Hart put Canada through a more intricate training session Tuesday that focused on the attack and play in the offensive half of the field.  Led by assistant coach Tony Fonseca, the players worked on ball movement  and quick passing, from sideline to sideline, to find space and holes in the defense.  Positioning was also stressed in creating overlapping runs on offense that could unsettle the opponent’s backline.

After two days of camp, some interesting questions linger with certain players. Goalkeepers Lars Hirschfeld and Milan Borjan, both competing for the starting goalkeeper spot, participated in the drills and it’s still too early to tell who’ll get the starting nod in goal Friday against St. Lucia in Canada’s first 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier.  The lone absentee was Real Salt Lake midfielder Will Johnson, who’s expected to join the team in Toronto on Wednesday.  Johnson has shown an unwavering commitment to Canada and has worked his way into a starting position, but it’ll be interesting to see whether his absence could lead him to start the game on the bench.

Goalkeepers Milan Borjan (foreground) and Lars Hirschfeld competing for the starting spot

Answers for a Sputtering Offense

It’s no surprise the coaching staff’s focus has been on the attack with scoring an issue over the last few months.  Until a bonafide in-form scorer emerges, Hart is trying everything possible to ignite the team’s offense.  Unfortunately, striker Olivier Occean, who has been on fire of late for German club SpVgg Greuther Fürth, had to be replaced on the roster by Marcus Haber due to an injury.  The team could have used Occean’s touch, but instead, will have to rely on someone else for scoring other than Dwayne De Rosario.  Young Norwich City striker Simeon Jackson has scored and is capable, but must be more consistent.  Without strikers Rob Friend and Ali Gerba in camp, don’t be surprised to see Hart push Jackson and De Rosario up front with service coming from Hutchinson and Julian de Guzman in the middle and Josh Simpson on the wing.  Not to be counted out are speedy and aggressive strikers Iain Hume and Tossaint Ricketts, who could see action if the offense continues to sputter on Friday. Hoepfully for Hart, inferior opposition in St. Lucia and extra work could be what his team’s offense needs to get back on track.

Hart (hidden) instructing the players

Hutchinson arrives

Arguably Canada’s best player at the moment, Atiba Hutchinson arrived in camp and participated in today’s session showing no ill effects of the meniscus surgery that sidelined him following the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup.  Despite his importance, the lanky and agile Brampton, Ont. native doesn’t look at himself as the focal point.  ”I don’t think of it that way.  I think there are a lot of players on the team that could be leaders,” he said.  ”I just try to go out every game and try to be a leader and work hard for the team and also for myself and get the best result we can possibly get so I don’t try to put a lot of weight on my shoulders.  It’s more important that everyone raises their game and is prepared for every game we play.”  Hutchinson’s playmaking, composure, and ball control ability have helped him supplant Julian de Guzman as the midfield general, so he’ll be critical to executing the passing and possession offense that Hart continues to instill in the team.

Looking ahead

The team will de-camp in Alliston Wednesday and leave for Toronto in time to hold a 3:30 p.m. EST news conference with the Toronto media at the Intercontinental Hotel in Yorkville.  I’ll be there and provide a rundown of the team’s thoughts on St. Lucia and the start of qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Alliston, Ontario

By Vijay Setlur

A near-complete Canadian men’s national team roster took to the pitch this morning at Nottawasaga Inn Resort for the first official day of training camp ahead of the start of 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.  With just four days to prepare for Friday’s match against St. Lucia at BMO Field in Toronto, having 17 of the 19 players in camp this early is a luxury coach Stephen Hart rarely has ahead of important matches.  Midfielder Will Johnson (Real Salt Lake) and Atiba Hutchinson (PSV Eindhoven) were the only players missing from the roster that went unscathed through the 90-minute session that primarily consisted of a series of short games, at the resort 45 minutes north of Toronto.

Training in session

Getting Offensive

Despite some spirited play, Hart took time outs to emphasize the need for greater offensive penetration.  ”I think we’ve been hesitant to penetrate.  The players that have that quality, they’re sort of turning back and playing the safe ball all the time and I want them to take risks and be more adventurous,” Hart told reporters after the session.  ”So, it’s something that if you had a club team you could work on everyday, but me I have to pan away at it in every little session.”  Canada’s offense has struggled of late, relying on two penalty kick goals, for their output in a disappointing performance at the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup.  Hart, though, doesn’t believe greater penetration will expose Canada to teams that will be specifically looking to counterattack.  ”You can’t take risks without giving up something somewhere else.  We have to be more disciplined and keep a good balance,” Hart said.  The players that are not involved in the attack have to be ready to defend. But it makes sense if you know how you’re attacking then you should know how you’re going to defend.”

Hart (middle, white) urges players forward

Goalkeeping Situation Wide Open

“The two are competing to be the starting goalkeeper.  They know that and that’s the nature of it.”  That was Hart’s succinct response to the goalkeeping battle between Lars Hirschfeld and Milan Borjan  Though Hart didn’t tip his hand, many reporters and analysts, including me, believe Borjan should be Canada’s starting ‘keeper.  Hirschfeld has a track record, but his strong performances came a decade ago and it’s now time for the much-younger Borjan to assume the starting spot and grow with the team as it progresses, hopefully, through a long qualifying run.  He stepped up for Canada at the CONCACAF Gold Cup with solid starting performances against Guadeloupe and Panama after Hirschfeld’s poor performance in the opener against the U.S., in which the veteran allowed a soft goal early that proved to be a dagger in the team’s fragile psyche.  Already facing pressure to win the group and teams looking for an upset, Canada can ill-afford to concede a bad goal, let alone get shaky goalkeeping, especially with an offense that’s struggling to score.  The pressure and big-game experience of the the Gold Cup was invaluable for Borjan and Hart should start him, but not hesitate to bring in the experienced Hirschfeld if the youngster falters.

Hart (right) addressing the media

Looking ahead…

The squad will be complete for its Tuesday morning training session with the arrival of Hutchinson and Johnson.  After a brief morning session Wednesday, the team will shift base to Toronto where Hart and some players will participate in a mid-afternoon news conference at the Intercontinental Hotel on Bloor St. W. in downtown Toronto.  On Thursday, the team will train for the first time at BMO Field ahead of Friday’s game, an 8 p.m. EST start on Rogers Sportsnet One.  I’ll be covering the team all week, so visit everyday for my take on happenings around the national team as it prepares to play its first FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Toronto in three years.

Games are won as much in the minds as they are on the field.  That’s the message Canada coach Stephen Hart will relay to the 19-man squad he selected for Canada’s first two 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers at home against St. Lucia Sept. 2 and away at Puerto Rico four days later.  Fans are expecting Canada to have an easy run against three of CONCACAF’s lowest-ranked nations, but Hart knows Canada’s campaign to qualify for its first World Cup since 1986 won’t be that simple.  “In theory, you should win the games,” Hart said. “Unfortunately, the games are not played theoretically. You have to go into the games and be mentally prepared to do your best, and to also understand that many times a lot of things are not in your control.”

In a media conference call Thursday afternoon, Hart said his staff will have to mentally prepare the players to deal with playing away matches, the anonymity of their three island opponents (St. Kitts and Nevis is the third) and the poor playing conditions (field/pitch), the one factor he feels is a big equalizer.  ”The main thing about the opponents is how we approach the away games,” said Hart. “From all accounts, the fields are not the best, and that’s the most important thing. It could become an equalizer, in that respect.”

Beyond these factors exist larger demons – poor starts and a tendency to collapse when plans go awry.  Take 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying for example.  Canada was fortunate to open the semifinal round of qualifying with two matches at home, but couldn’t capitalize drawing Jamaica at Toronto and losing to Honduras in Montreal, despite scoring first in both games.  Earning just one point of a possible six ultimately killed Canada’s chances with three of their remaining four matches away.  More recently, at the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Canada conceded a second-half injury-time goal to Panama in a must-win game settling for a draw that led to their elimination from the tournament.  The Central Americans, which Canada may face again in the semifinal round, inserted a number of key starters late in the game - a move that led to the late-game defensive breakdown.

With six games to play, in which anything can happen, Canada will have to be mentally tough for all 540 minutes to assure itself a mandatory first-place finish and a spot in the semifinal round next spring.  “We’ve tried to learn and condition ourselves to deal with those conditions as best as possible as they come up,” said Hart. “When it comes to a World Cup qualifier, everything becomes a little bit magnified and we need to keep our heads on and don’t panic.”

MLS-heavy roster an advantage
With seven of the 19 players from MLS clubs, Canada will have a number of players in mid-season form.  Hart focused on selecting match-fit players and the strong MLS complement combined with the league’s calibre of play will be beneficial against St. Lucia and Puerto Rico, both of which feature players at lower pro levels.

Ins and Outs

Notable by their absence from the roster are striker Rob Friend and midfielder/defender Marcel De Jong who are dealing with personal family situations.  Making their return, though, after some time are strikers Iain Hume and Olivier Occean and defender Ante Jazic – all three of which were neither on the Gold Cup roster nor have seen much action for Canada in recent months.  The most significant player named to the list is Canadian 2010 Male Player of the Year Atiba Hutchinson, who Hart said in early August would likely not be available for at least the first couple of matches after undergoing surgery post-Gold Cup.  However, the PSV Eindhoven midfielder has been training and Hart said he has agreed with Eindhoven to monitor him to ensure he’s 100 per cent.  Hutchinson has emerged ahead of Julian de Guzman to become Canada’s midfield general and any prolonged absence from the lineup will make Canada’s campaign that much more difficult.

For the full roster visit http://www.canadasoccer.com/news/viewArtical.asp?Press_ID=4938

Softer Semifinals

Home Games Slated for Toronto

World Cup Preliminary Draw Results
CONCACAF
First Group Round
Group A
El Salvador
Suriname
Cayman Islands
Dominican Republic

Group B
Trinidad & Tobago
Guyana
Barbados
Bermuda

Group C
Panama
Dominica
Nicaragua
Bahamas

Group D
Canada
St. Kitts & Nevis
Puerto Rico
St. Lucia

Group E
Grenada
Guatemala
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Belize

Group F
Haiti
Antigua & Barbuda
Curacao
U.S. Virgin Islands

Friday, September 2
Group A
El Salvador vs. Dominican Republic
Suriname vs. Cayman Islands
Group B
Trinidad & Tobago vs. Bermuda
Guyana vs. Barbados
Group C
Panama vs. Bahamas
Dominica vs. Nicaragua
Group D
Canada vs. St. Lucia
St. Kitts & Nevis vs. Puerto Rico
Group E
Grenada vs. Belize
Guatemala vs. St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Group F
Haiti vs. U.S. Virgin Islands
Antigua & Barbuda vs. Curacao

Tuesday, September 6
Group A
Cayman Islands vs. El Salvador
Dominican Republic vs. Suriname
Group B
Barbados vs. Trinidad & Tobago
Bermuda vs. Guyana
Group C
Nicaragua vs. Panama
Bahamas vs. Dominica
Group D
Puerto Rico vs. Canada
St. Lucia vs. St. Kitts & Nevis
Group E
St. Vincent & the Grenadines vs. Grenada
Belize vs. Guatemala
Group F
Curacao vs. Haiti
U.S. Virgin Islands vs. Antigua & Barbuda

Friday, October 7
Group A
Dominican Republic vs. El Salvador
Cayman Islands vs. Suriname
Group B
Bermuda vs. Trinidad & Tobago
Barbados vs. Guyana
Group C
Bahamas vs. Panama
Nicaragua vs. Dominica
Group D
St. Lucia vs. Canada
Puerto Rico vs. St. Kitts & Nevis
Group E
Belize vs. Grenada
St. Vincent & the Grenadines vs. Guatemala
Group F
U.S. Virgin Islands vs. Haiti
Curacao vs. Antigua & Barbuda

Tuesday, October 11
Group A
El Salvador vs. Cayman Islands
Suriname vs. Dominican Republic
Group B
Trinidad & Tobago vs. Barbados
Guyana vs. Bermuda
Group C
Panama vs. Nicaragua
Dominica vs. Bahamas
Group D
Canada vs. Puerto Rico
St. Kitts & Nevis vs. St. Lucia
Group E
Grenada vs. St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Guatemala vs. Belize
Group F
Haiti vs. Curacao
Antigua & Barbuda vs. U.S. Virgin Islands

Friday, November 11
Group A
Suriname vs. El Salvador
Dominican Republic vs. Cayman Islands
Group B
Guyana vs. Trinidad & Tobago
Bermuda vs. Barbados
Group B
Dominica vs. Panama
Bahamas vs. Nicaragua
Group D
St. Kitts & Nevis vs. Canada
St. Lucia vs. Puerto Rico
Group E
Guatemala vs. Grenada
Belize vs. St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Group F
Antigua & Barbuda vs. Haiti
U.S. Virgin Islands vs. Curacao

Tuesday, November 15
Group A
El Salvador vs. Suriname
Cayman Islands vs. Dominican Republic
Group B
Trinidad & Tobago vs. Guyana
Barbados vs. Bermuda
Group C
Panama vs. Dominica
Nicaragua vs. Bahamas
Group D
Canada vs. St. Kitts & Nevis
Puerto Rico vs. St. Lucia
Group E
Grenada vs. Guatemala
St. Vincent & the Grenadines vs. Belize
Group F
Haiti vs. Antigua & Barbuda
Curacao vs. U.S. Virgin Islands