Canadian u17 head coach Sean Fleming says he’s proud of all that his team has already accomplished, but, he’d be disappointed if this month’s World Cup represented the pinnacle of their achievement.
“We had players tell us that they needed to save themselves for the World Cup,” Fleming said via conference call. “It’s not time to save yourself. We need to get at a higher level, we need to get better.”
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Although every team wants to win, Fleming says that the end goal for this age group is much more long-term.
“As a coach it’s my job to try and make sure that as many of these players as possible one day play for the senior national team – that’s what we want for this group.”
Canada opens the tournament against Uruguay on June 19 before playing England on June 22 and Rwanda on June 25. All three of Canada's group matches will be played in Pachuca. The young Canucks will warm up with two friendlies next week, playing Ecuador June 11 and Australia June 13.
Fleming is realistic about the team’s chances at the World Cup – Canada has never won a game at any of its three previous appearances at the Finals – but does not want to put a limit on what might be possible.
We are aware of where the opponents have been playing,” Fleming said, pointing out that one of England’s players dressed for a Europa League game for Liverpool this past season. “We’ve stressed to the guys that we need to worry about ourselves.”
Although reluctant to put specific scoreboard goals in place, Fleming did say that they want to improve on past Canadian performances by winning at least one game and that he did not eliminate the possibility of advancing from the group.
The team was blessed with an injury free player pool, which made for some tough roster choices, Fleming said. He hopes to build on the success they had at CONCACAF qualifying, where they did not allow a single goal until extra time of the final against the USA. The Canadians eventually lost the championship game 3-0.
With 17 of the 23 players currently playing for one of the three professional academies, this Canadian team has the advantage of familiarity. That allows the Canucks to play a possession-based team game, Fleming says.
The advancement of the pro academies has been vital to improved depth at the youth levels according to Fleming, but the club and provincial systems were still hugely influential in the player’s development.
“It’s a great situation for this part of their journey,” Fleming said of the academies. “But, a great deal of credit has to be given to the provincial programs...We still need to have challenging games for these players.”
Challenging games will not be an issue this month, with five on the agenda. Bring it on, says Fleming.
“It’s great. I don’t bemoan it. It’s going to be a great challenge for those young players.”