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CANADIAN COACH CLAMBERS TOGETHER ROSTER FOR ARMENIA FRIENDLY
CBC
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2012/02/23/sp-soccer-canada-hart.html
Feb 24 2012
Canada
Stephen Hart names 17 players for Feb. 29 match in Cyprus
By Signa Butler CBC Sports Posted: Feb 23, 2012 3:18 PM ET
With limited player availability due to injuries, club commitments and
MLS training camps, Canadian men's soccer coach Stephen Hart said it
was tricky to put together a roster for next week's friendly against
Armenia in Cyprus.
Hart named 17 mostly European-based players for the Feb. 29 match,
including star midfielder and former Canadian player of the year
Atiba Hutchinson and veteran fullback Kevin McKenna.
"Putting this team together was extremely difficult," Hart told
reporters during a Thursday conference call. "Injuries are one thing
and having to deal with some clubs, because they are involved in
promotion fight -- it's been very difficult."
Still, Hart said he was glad to have the match, especially when
there are few opportunities to get his team together ahead of the
next stage of World Cup qualifying in June.
"There's certain players playing together that I'm happy that they're
available," he said. "So all in all, I'm looking forward to it."
Hutchinson back in the mix Hutchinson, who plies his trade with PSV
Eindhoven, recently returned to full fitness after aggravating a knee
injury during World Cup qualifying against St. Lucia last September.
While Hutchinson is back in the fold, two other players Hart hoped
to have for the Armenia friendly are sidelined with injuries.
Striker Olivier Occean, whose club team SpVgg Greuther Furth is
challenging for Bundesliga promotion, is hobbled by a minor foot
injury, while FC Augsburg midfielder Marcel de Jonge will require
surgery after rupturing ankle ligaments in a recent game against
Nurnberg. A timetable for his return isn't known.
Hart was hoping to only use European players given that MLS players
are in pre-season and it's a short timeframe for travel (the team
will only have "a [training] session and a half" while in Cyprus),
but Toronto FC midfielder Julian de Guzman was called into the mix
because of all the injuries and absences.
Former San Jose Earthquakes defender Nana Attakora, who is currently
out of contract but has been training with Scottish club Hibernian,
was also named to the team.
Armenia ranked No. 41 in world Samuel Piette is the one new face on
the roster. The 17-year old midfielder, who plays his professional
soccer with FC Metz in France, was a member of Canada's squad at the
2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico.
"He had a very good camp [with the under-20 team], showed very good
qualities," said Hart. "At the time, I said to myself if I do get
the opportunity, I'd like to bring him in with the senior players
and see how he settles into the midfield.
"This seems to be a good opportunity to bring him in, see how he
does in training. It's only a couple of days, I know that, but it
will give me a good gauge for him."
Canada is ranked 71st in the world, compared to No. 41 Armenia. The
match is set for Feb. 29 in Limmassol.
Here is the 17-man roster:
GOALKEEPERS: Milan Borjan (Sivasspor), Kenny Stamatopoulos (AIK Fotbol)
FULLBACKS: Nik Ledgerwood (SV Wehen Wiesbaden), Mike Klukowski
(Manisaspor), Kevin McKenna (FC Köln), Adam Straith (FC Energie
Cottbus), Nana Attakora (Unattached), David Edgar (Burnley FC)
MIDFIELDERS: Julian de Guzman (Toronto FC), Pedro Pacheco (CD Santa
Clara), Tosaint Ricketts (FC Politehnica TimiÅ~_oara), Josh Simpson
(Berner Sport Club Young Boys), Atiba Hutchinson (PSV Eindhoven),
Samuel Piette (FC Metz)
FORWARDS: Iain Hume (Preston North End FC), Simeon Jackson (Norwich
City FC), Marcus Haber (St. Johnstone FC)
CBC
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2012/02/23/sp-soccer-canada-hart.html
Feb 24 2012
Canada
Stephen Hart names 17 players for Feb. 29 match in Cyprus
By Signa Butler CBC Sports Posted: Feb 23, 2012 3:18 PM ET
With limited player availability due to injuries, club commitments and
MLS training camps, Canadian men's soccer coach Stephen Hart said it
was tricky to put together a roster for next week's friendly against
Armenia in Cyprus.
Hart named 17 mostly European-based players for the Feb. 29 match,
including star midfielder and former Canadian player of the year
Atiba Hutchinson and veteran fullback Kevin McKenna.
"Putting this team together was extremely difficult," Hart told
reporters during a Thursday conference call. "Injuries are one thing
and having to deal with some clubs, because they are involved in
promotion fight -- it's been very difficult."
Still, Hart said he was glad to have the match, especially when
there are few opportunities to get his team together ahead of the
next stage of World Cup qualifying in June.
"There's certain players playing together that I'm happy that they're
available," he said. "So all in all, I'm looking forward to it."
Hutchinson back in the mix Hutchinson, who plies his trade with PSV
Eindhoven, recently returned to full fitness after aggravating a knee
injury during World Cup qualifying against St. Lucia last September.
While Hutchinson is back in the fold, two other players Hart hoped
to have for the Armenia friendly are sidelined with injuries.
Striker Olivier Occean, whose club team SpVgg Greuther Furth is
challenging for Bundesliga promotion, is hobbled by a minor foot
injury, while FC Augsburg midfielder Marcel de Jonge will require
surgery after rupturing ankle ligaments in a recent game against
Nurnberg. A timetable for his return isn't known.
Hart was hoping to only use European players given that MLS players
are in pre-season and it's a short timeframe for travel (the team
will only have "a [training] session and a half" while in Cyprus),
but Toronto FC midfielder Julian de Guzman was called into the mix
because of all the injuries and absences.
Former San Jose Earthquakes defender Nana Attakora, who is currently
out of contract but has been training with Scottish club Hibernian,
was also named to the team.
Armenia ranked No. 41 in world Samuel Piette is the one new face on
the roster. The 17-year old midfielder, who plays his professional
soccer with FC Metz in France, was a member of Canada's squad at the
2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico.
"He had a very good camp [with the under-20 team], showed very good
qualities," said Hart. "At the time, I said to myself if I do get
the opportunity, I'd like to bring him in with the senior players
and see how he settles into the midfield.
"This seems to be a good opportunity to bring him in, see how he
does in training. It's only a couple of days, I know that, but it
will give me a good gauge for him."
Canada is ranked 71st in the world, compared to No. 41 Armenia. The
match is set for Feb. 29 in Limmassol.
Here is the 17-man roster:
GOALKEEPERS: Milan Borjan (Sivasspor), Kenny Stamatopoulos (AIK Fotbol)
FULLBACKS: Nik Ledgerwood (SV Wehen Wiesbaden), Mike Klukowski
(Manisaspor), Kevin McKenna (FC Köln), Adam Straith (FC Energie
Cottbus), Nana Attakora (Unattached), David Edgar (Burnley FC)
MIDFIELDERS: Julian de Guzman (Toronto FC), Pedro Pacheco (CD Santa
Clara), Tosaint Ricketts (FC Politehnica TimiÅ~_oara), Josh Simpson
(Berner Sport Club Young Boys), Atiba Hutchinson (PSV Eindhoven),
Samuel Piette (FC Metz)
FORWARDS: Iain Hume (Preston North End FC), Simeon Jackson (Norwich
City FC), Marcus Haber (St. Johnstone FC)