The fact that people care will put pressure on the authorities to make changes that are necessary to improve. There has been a lot of negatives coming from the Canadian team's performance at the U-20 World Cup, and rightly so.

Since 2000, the Canada's men national team has won the Gold Cup, been in the semifinals twice, most recently in June 2007 when Canada was robbed of an opportunity of going to the final. Quarter-finals of the U-20 World Cup in 2003 in United Arab Emirates, losing in a golden goal to Spain.

And if that had happened this time around it would have clouded over the fact that player development has to change in this country. But it didn't, so lets make the legacy of this U-20 tournament the turning point for soccer in Canada.

The fact that people care will put pressure on the authorities to make changes that are necessary to improve. There has been a lot of negatives coming from the Canadian team's performance at the U-20 World Cup, and rightly so.

Since 2000, the Canada's men national team has won the Gold Cup, been in the semifinals twice, most recently in June 2007 when Canada was robbed of an opportunity of going to the final. Quarter-finals of the U-20 World Cup in 2003 in United Arab Emirates, losing in a golden goal to Spain.

And if that had happened this time around it would have clouded over the fact that player development has to change in this country. But it didn't, so lets make the legacy of this U-20 tournament the turning point for soccer in Canada.

If Canada can organize the best tournament for FIFA ever - media, players, and the teams are all happy - then surely we can organize ourselves behind the scenes to correct the problem. We are in a unique position in Canada. Players are not developed in club systems like just about every other country in the world. This will change with the arrival of MLS and is changing in Vancouver and Montreal (USL) as the Whitecaps are working on grassroots development. However, it's just three clubs, a lot to ask and expect from them, so provincial and national camps and academies are essential as well to the development.

The doors weren't open for Canadians to play when I was starting out. The doors now are and we have certain individuals who have gained respect from the soccer world over recent time in Europe.

The conveyor belt of players will continue to trickle into Europe and will inevitably help our national team but we can't rely on them.

No one is more frustrated than myself with the growth and development of football here.

I had the experience in England and saw how clubs pick up young players for youth development. The youth academy coach at West Ham said to me that he would have taken five of the Canadian U-12 team that went there on tour. This West Ham Academy has been running almost since the beginning of time and has developed so many young players, most recently Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Jermain Defoe and Michael Carrick.

Now, I know it is impossible for more than one reason for a U-12 player to travel and move overseas to play football. It's a huge step and virtually impossible to get a work permit unless you have European born parents and/or grandparents, as in my case. Also, families don't want to separate at that age.

That's when our system needs to kick in. We have to pick up these players and maintain them at a level that's on par to Europe and South America.

We need better coaching which costs money. Professional people. not just volunteers. Just by a child paying an extra $20 per season, for example, would inject millions of dollars into the program. If the soccer community really cares then they will do this, otherwise we shall just sit here in neutral.

Moderate success has happened in spite of the system. Our best players (Edgar, Hutchison, Salteri, De Guzman, Peters, De Vos and Radzinski to name just a few) are all playing in Europe, but are there due to the support, encouragement and financial cost of their families and not by the Canadian Soccer Association.

It happened to me; the CSA didn't even know about me - I was in England due to my father's belief in me and persistent contact with certain clubs. But saying that, I never forgot my roots and was so honoured to be able to represent my country, and that includes at club level.

Some people in this country seem to think representing Portugal, England or Holland is more prestigious and in the world of football it is by standard of play. But players at top international level showed me their utmost respect for playing for my country of birth, wherever that may be. I'm remembering comments from fellow teammates like Vialli, Zola, Lebeouf, Margas, Marc Vivian Foe and Gullit.

It is almost expected that wherever you come from you represent your country. End of story.

Canada represents the world from every corner. It's what makes us so unique and great. Many are proud of where they originate from and so they should be. We've seen by the ticket sales of this U-20 World Cup that there is an appetite for the game, so lets continue to support Canada as well.

Talking to FIFA officials, not much could be better. Attendance figures over a million, well-behaved fans, that's no surprise to me. However, there is one thing: the Canadian team. FIFA would have liked to see the hosts get out of their first-round group.

Mathematically it could still be done but what does coach Dale Mitchell do now? No goals, four against, only two shots on goal in two games.

Talking to FIFA officials, not much could be better. Attendance figures over a million, well-behaved fans, that's no surprise to me. However, there is one thing: the Canadian team. FIFA would have liked to see the hosts get out of their first-round group.

Mathematically it could still be done but what does coach Dale Mitchell do now? No goals, four against, only two shots on goal in two games.

This team has played some terrific soccer in some of their warm-up games leading into this tournament. Goals and opportunities have now all but dried up. There is the pressure of playing at home and maybe it has been too much for many players. The team needs leaders and the lack of technical ability is evident.

Many have questioned me about the coaching and what Mitchell could do differently. Mitchell is not the one to blame. The team's shape looked pretty good and he has given every player an opportunity to show what they can do.

It doesn't matter how good a tactician you are, if the players cant make a pass from A to B or get into good crossing positions and put the ball in the net or do not have the defensive know-how to get tight to players or let opposition get free headers or looks on goal, then the team is going to struggle.

Dale has given this group of young men every chance to play good soccer, but sadly it has not happened.

Developing players in this country has to change; technically we are not good enough, generally speaking. How we do this, I'll discuss another time but right now it's about pride and not walking away from this tournament with no goals or no points. This would be an embarrassment for the Canadian Soccer Association.

So back to the question of what does Dale Mitchell do now? Canada's best opportunity came when they played route one, back to front and engaging in an aerial battle. It's not pretty and long term it will only get you limited success but if you're going to go down, go down with a fight, because another performance like we have seen these players produce will not be given any respect.

None.

The game of soccer has evolved in Canada. It has been slow, however, it is growing and baby steps are turning into giant steps. This is an opportunity for the under-20 Canadian men's team to take it to another level.

Give our young soccer players (men and women) a reason, a goal, to play and compete for the red and white. A taste of what this game of soccer means on a global scale. It will open the eyes of the media and corporate Canada that soccer stands alone and that it appeals to every walk of life in this the greatest country in the world.

The game of soccer has evolved in Canada. It has been slow, however, it is growing and baby steps are turning into giant steps. This is an opportunity for the under-20 Canadian men's team to take it to another level.

Give our young soccer players (men and women) a reason, a goal, to play and compete for the red and white. A taste of what this game of soccer means on a global scale. It will open the eyes of the media and corporate Canada that soccer stands alone and that it appeals to every walk of life in this the greatest country in the world.

All this is without a Canadian under-20 success story. But what if Canada gets out of their group? What if they stun everyone and make it to the semis or, do I dare say it, beyond! What does this mean, what could this mean? National support at a level never seen before.

All this will be going through the minds of the players. This will be, without a doubt for these guys, one of the most exciting, stressful, anxious, nerve-wracking and proud moments of their lives. The pressure on myself in 1987 when I played in this tournament, I have to say is nothing even close to what these Canucks are going to experience when you consider Canada is the host country of the U-20 World Cup.

They won't let anyone down, win or lose. Canadians never give less than 100 per cent. The team is full of strong characters, that's for sure. At a young age, players ride a rollercoaster of emotions. If they can curb their emotions and play the way they can and be consistent for a month. Well.......what if.

Speaking of what if ...

SOS Children's Villages, the official charity of the U-20 World Cup Canada. The campaign "Lets play, Lets Build" will build a new village in Namibia, solely built by Canadian diners. The game of soccer also has the power to change lives.

Please check it out
www.letsplayletsbuild.ca

It is something Canadians should and will be extremely proud of.