As I wrote yesterday, round two of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying could offer Canada with a unique opportunity. Rare, is a competition where the Canucks are so profoundly favourites to advance as that round will provide. So, it’s reasonable to assume that the Canucks will get the full nine points in the first three games, making the final three games friendlies in all but name.
If that happens, it will give Stephen Hart an opportunity to have a good look at some younger players. Although the coach is right to say, as he did on the Fan 590 last month, that WCQ should be taken seriously regardless of the circumstance it would be foolish to lean on the A-side if advancement was assumed. That’s especially the case when the games would offer a chance to give the u-23 side some time ahead of the Olympic qualifiers.
With a HT to Dino Rossi, six young Canadians we’d like to see during qualifying.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]Kyle Porter – The 21-year-old looked to be out of options after Vancouver failed to offer a contract. However, after landing on his feet with FC Edmonton he’s been a key player during Edmonton’s surprise 2011 season.
Kyle Bekker – A Boston College stand-out and perhaps Sigma Elite Training Center’s best prospect, Bekker is a player that a lot of clubs have an eye on. He’s trained with TFC this year.
Andrés Fresenga -- A “hyphen” player (he’s also eligible to play for Uruguay) with some promise. Other nations cynically cap tie players, why not Canada?
Russell Teibert – A young Canadian getting some MLS minutes for the Whitecaps. It’s a no brainer.
Randy Edwini-Bonsu – With four goals in eight appearances in Finland it’s hard not to get just a little bit excited.
Doneil Henry – One of the few good stories out of TFC this year, the academy graduate has flourished under Aron Winter.
Those are our six picks, let us know in the comments section if you think we’ve missed anyone.