TORONTO — With nothing to play for over the next two years, one could forgive Canada head coach Octavio Zambrano if he decided to wipe the slate clean and only use youngsters from now until the next Gold Cup in 2019.

After all, many of the veterans in the program could simply be too old by the time the next meaningful match rolls around.

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Zambrano isn't thinking that way though, and for Canada's first international friendly following the Gold Cup he has called in a number of familiar faces in addition to the wave of fresh ones that will ostensibly carry the national team for the next several years.

The mix of experience and youth is a hallmark of Zambrano's first year in charge, and it isn't likely to change anytime soon.

It's a strategy he used in July's Gold Cup, using veterans like 38-year-old Patrice Bernier to nurture the younger players on the squad.

"I was able to witness first-hand when Patrice was with us during the Gold Cup," Zambrano said. "Just his presence in and around the [team] made a big impact."

When the Canadians take on Jamaica on Saturday night at BMO Field, Atiba Hutchinson will be wearing the captain's armband after a year-long absence from the national team. Hutchinson, 34, is one of Canada's most decorated players, and Zambrano said he believes Hutchinson is still playing at a high-enough level to lead a youthful side both on and off the field.

"For young guys there is no substitute for them to just see how players [like Hutchinson] go about the business of being a professional soccer player, and other preparation that goes into the mindset that they have," Zambrano said. "It's something to emulate."

The past, present and future of #CanMNT, in one photo. pic.twitter.com/LWXTxGuugy — Rudi Schuller (@RudiSchuller) August 31, 2017

It was a bit of a surprise when Hutchinson's name was included on Zambrano's roster when it was announced last month. The midfielder had passed up on a Gold Cup invite, and it was unknown whether he would ever don the red and white shirt again.

Whatever the reason for his return, Hutchinson said he was encouraged by Canada's play in the Gold Cup and that he's looking forward to suiting up with some of the country's best up-and-coming talent on Saturday.

"It was impressive to see how the team itself was able to possess the ball very well; not only keeping possession but getting into good attacking positions very effectively," Hutchinson said. "There's a bit of confidence that you don't really see too much of with Canada. It's always been something that we've been lacking a bit, with creating chances and scoring goals."

Hutchinson cited teenager Alphonso Davies and 22-year-old Michael Petrasso as players who are unafraid to take opponents on, which the veteran noted as a key quality for the team going forward.

"This [confidence] is important to have in young players coming into the system." he said. "You have to have a bit of confidence and just believe that we can go out and play with anybody."

And while Hutchinson said he feels re-energized by the youthful injection into the national team program, the young players said they will also benefit from his and other veteran players' presence.

"With [Hutchinson] coming in it's a big boost for the whole team," said Davies. "He brings a lot of experience to the team, so we're just trying to feed off him, learn from him as much as we can."