

Posted by

Kamal Hylton ,

July 7, 2015 Email

Kamal Hylton

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With the Canadian Men’s national team set to kick off it’s 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament against El Salvador Jamaica and Costa Rica, it’s clear these games are viewed as important by head coach Benito Floro and the team as both continued preparation down the road to Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying and as a means to see how the team continues to grow and gel in meaningful and competitive matches.



“We need to play these official games at a real level [like the CONCACAF Gold Cup],” Floro explained via conference call. “Not only to help us physically but also tactically and mentally. We believe in our players, we believe in the progress, but it is time to test if it is true and we’re going know step by step.”



Looking at the squad there are some notable players absent due to injury or other circumstances, including key players like Atiba Hutchinson, Will Johnson, Doneil Henry and Milan Borjan. However, Floro understands the situation in each case and looks at this as an opportunity for others to step up.



“These are very important players for us [Atiba Huchinson, Will Johnson and Doneil Henry], but they’re not in good condition [due to injury] and we need to use the players [for CONCACAF Gold Cup] that are in the best condition,” Floro said. “We also understand that it’s very important for all of them to in a club setting going so long without playing any games.”



“For Milan [Borjan], he has a new contract with an important club for him [recently signing with Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad] and he asked us to remain there because he’s fighting for a position in front of a new coach and I understand this perfectly.”



Even in the absences of these players, Floro seems very happy with his forward line. It is led by Orlando City SC’s Cyle Larin, a player that is currently in form for both club and country and is seen by the Spaniard as more than a striker.



“Larin is a good forward, because he’s not only a good striker but a good forward to me because he collaborates to create chances on goal and attacking moves.” Floro continued. “He has good skills, abilities and movements and I think is one of the best players we can have. Right now Larin is in agood state and can be confident in his possibilities but we have Marcus [Haber], Tesho [Akindele] and Tosaint [Ricketts] giving us enough players to use in this position as well.”



Having a chance to see the rest of CONCACAF in a tournament setting, it does bring up the ability to compare how young Canadian talent within Major League Soccer stacks up with those from other areas of the region, an aspect that Floro sees improving but that at the same time could stand to reach another level when more Canadian players are getting major playing time as starters around the league.



“One thing is how playing with the ball and physical condition, in both cases the level of the young Canadian player is good and at the same level as the others [compared to Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras etc.]. Another thing is when it’s necessary to play without the ball [pressing, tackling] which is necessary to participate in a good league as a starter. This is our big problem because the majority of our top players are not starting in MLS and we need to improve that. But we also need to realize they’re growing. For example, Russel Teibert, Ashtone Morgan, Kyle Bekker, they’re increasing together [their level of play] but it is necessary for them to play as a starter and play a lot of games.”



The 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup also presents the first time in the history of the tournament that games will be played on Canadian soil. With Canada hosting Costa Rica and Jamaica playing El Salvador in the final Group B matches, Floro sees this as a challenging yet good opportunity to make an impression and bring excitement to Canadian soccer.



“That depends on two matters - if we have a good results against El Salvador and Jamaica and at the same time how we influence the game [against Costa Rica],” Floro said. “I consider Costa Rica as one of the best teams in the world and they had a very good Gold Cup last time. It will be a very good game for people who love soccer. We’re focused to win at least one game and fight for the first position in the group.”



Canada kicks off the tournament Wednesday, July 8 2015 against El Salvador at StubHub Center in Carson, California with kickoff at 10:30PM ET.