The defense stands tall for Canada U-17s
concacaf.com
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica - Canada is the only team not to have a conceded a goal at the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship in Jamaica. After two games, the Maple Leaf defense has been one of the competition's chief storylines.
Sean Fleming, Canada's head coach, hopes to maintain that level of solidity, if not outright excellence, in the back.
"It is very pleasing, our goalkeeper and back line have done well," said Fleming. "Really, it has been the whole team. We have minimized chances to the other teams.
"I am happy with the number of chances and how we do when we do give up chances."
In its Group D opener, Canada overwhelmed Barbados 8-0, with Michael Petrasso registering one of the tournament's two hat-tricks. Though the 15-year-old's feat was certainly impressive, just as important was the defense's ability to shutdown Zari Prescod, the outstanding Barbadian forward.
On Saturday, against Honduras, the Canadians failed to score, but succeeded in not conceding a goal to clinch the group title.
In contrast to the Barbados game, Fleming's side ignited its offense out of the back, a tactic that was particularly effective in the first half, when five of its 10 shots were on goal. The Hondurans were repeatedly forced to retreat into their defensive third and, as a result, could only muster two shots in the opening 45 minutes.
"We really want to play out of the back and I think that showed," said Bryce Alderson, the Canadian team captain, after the game against Honduras. "When we do that, we give teams problems with our movement and with the pace we have, especially on the wings."
Goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau has been in net for both clean sheets. Though he has not seen much action, the Montreal Impact Academy product came up big against Honduras, making a spectacular save off the foot of Carlos Andrade late in the game to preserve the tie against Honduras.
The North Americans have demonstrated remarkable defensive depth in Jamaica. Center-back Ismaïl Benomar and right-back Parker Seymour were on the field from the opening whistle in both group games, while Marco Lapenna, Daniel Stanese, Adam Polakiewicz and Luca Gasparotto each earned single starts.
"Overall, I am quite pleased with our performance, added Fleming. "We have created chances in every match and in the first match we capitalized on those chances. We have also not given up any goals so far, so that too has been good for our team.
"We know, though, we will have to be better for Wednesday."
Fleming, of course, is referring to Canada's quarterfinal encounter against Trinidad & Tobago with spots at the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the CONCACAF semifinals on the line.
The 45-year-old knows that what happened in the group stage is in the past. The young Soca Warriors offer a different challenge and the stakes are high.
"They are a well organized team with some great individuals on the team," finished Fleming. "We know it will be a great match."
