Team Canada roster

By John F. Molinaro, CBCSports.ca

Meet the 21 men who will carry the hopes and dreams of soccer fans all across Canada this summer at the FIFA U-20 World Cup:

Nana Attakora-Gyan, Defender
The North York, Ont., native was a standout with Canada's U-17 team - the highlight of his stint with the side came in 2004 when he scored against Switzerland at the Ballymena International Tournament - before graduating to the U-20 team in 2006. At six-feet-one-inch and weighing 185 pounds, he offers Canada a big physical presence in defence.

Keegan Ayre, Midfielder
Ayre comes from good soccer stock - father Garry played for the Vancouver Whitecaps and Canada's national team, and is a member of the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame. Keegan, a British Columbia native, currently plays for Hiberian in the Scottish Premier League and, according to manager John Collins, the Canadian "is certainly a player who could have a big future in the game." Ayre debuted for Canada's U-20 team in 2006 against Brazil.

Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault, Midfielder
Beaulieu-Bourgault is one of the key members of team Canada. The Montreal native, who plays for FC St. Pauli in Germany, was a member of the Canadian team that played at the 2005 World Youth Championship. He didn't see any action in the Netherlands, but the industrious midfielder, renowned for his tough tackling and physical play, has since earned a starting role in coach Dale Mitchell's team. Very versatile, as he can slot in either defence or in midfield.

Asmir Begovic, Goalkeeper
Born in Bosnia and raised in Edmonton, Canada's starting goalkeeper signed with Premiership side Portsmouth in 2003 but spent time on loan at La Louviere in Belgium in 2005, and Macclesfield Town in England this past season. Portsmouth goalkeeping coach David Coles believes Begovic has all the attributes to become one of the best goalkeepers in the world. At six-feet-five-inches and 210 pounds, forwards at this summer's tournament will have a hard time beating the Canadian shot stopper.

Canadian forward Andrea Lombardo is a glutton for punishment. (Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)

Mike D'Agostino, Midfielder
D'Agostino, from Vancouver, offers Canada a bit of versatility - he can play either in defence or in midfield. D'Agostino, currently playing at the University of Kentucky, made his debut for Canada's U-20 team in 2005 against Panama.

David Edgar, Defender
Edgar is one of Canada's top players and serves as the team's anchor in defence. Son of former Newcastle United goalkeeper Eddie Edgar, David also plays for Newcastle, and made his first team debut on Dec. 26, 2006. A week later he scored a spectacular goal against Manchester United that garnered the attention of the British and Canadian media. The Kitchener, Ont., native was named 2006 Canadian Youth Player of the Year and played for Canada at the 2005 World Youth Championship in the Netherlands. He's a key player for Canada's U-20 team and a future superstar in the making.

Alex Elliot, Forward
Elliot, from Vancouver, scored his first goal for Canada's U-20 team against Norway at the 2006 Porto International Tournament, with his second goal coming against the United States in a friendly match on July 9, 2007. Elliot currently plays for the University of Portland.

Gabe Gala, Defender
Born in Yola, Nigeria, Gala made his debut for Canada's U-20 team last May in a 2-1 win over Brazil. He can also play in midfield.

Marcus Haber, Forward
One of Canada's top prospects, the Vancouver native currently plays for Dutch team FC Groningen. Haber appeared in all three games and scored one goal for Canada at the final round of 2005 CONCACAF U-17 qualifiers before making his debut for the U-20 team last October against the Czech Republic.

Simeon Jackson, Midfielder
Jackson, born in Kingston, Jamaica, offers coach Dale Mitchell an exciting option in midfield. The youngster is strong and holds the ball up well, but also enjoys taking defenders on and is a bit of a playmaker. Jackson made his debut for Canada's U-20 team last May against Brazil.

Will Johnson, Forward
Another very important player for Canada. In 2005, the Toronto native was signed by the Chicago Fire of MLS and played most of the year for the reserve team. At the end of the season, the Fire offered him a contract, which he rejected and decided to go on a trial with Heerenveen of the Dutch league. It was a successful gamble as the club signed the dangerous forward to a contract. Johnson, who played at the 2005 World Youth Championship, has also appeared three times for Canada's senior national team.

Zach Kalthoff, Goalkeeper
Canada's third-string goalkeeper, Kalthoff was born in Calgary and debuted for Canada's U-20 team last December in a friendly against the United States.

Olivier Lacoste-Lebuis, Defender
Lacoste-Lebuis, a Montreal native, has split his time between Canada's under-17 and under-20 team the past two years.

Andrea Lombardo, Forward
As the team's star striker, Lombardo is one of Canada's most important players. The Toronto native is a former reserve player for Italian first-division club Atalanta, and spent time in the Italian third division for Perugia and Rieti. Lombardo is a physical forward who uses his size and strength to fight off defenders, but he's also very dangerous around the penalty area. Currently plays for Toronto FC where he earned an assist in his debut for the MLS club. Lombardo also represented Canada at the 2005 World Youth Championship.

Stephen Lumley, Defender
The native of Mississauga, Ont., was a key member of Canada's U-17 team before making his debut for the U-20 side in 2006. Currently a member of Toronto FC's developmental squad.

David Monsalve, Goalkeeper
The teen from North York, Ont., will serve as Begovic's backup at this summer's U-20 World Cup. Monsalve earned a shutout against Belgium at the Ballymena International Tournament in Northern Ireland as a member of Canada's U-17 team before making his debut for the U-20 side last summer in a friendly against the United States.

Cristian Nunez, Midfielder
Born in Montreal, Nunez is a real live wire and offers Canada a bit of trickery in midfield with his speed and dazzling dibbling skills. Nunez's first appearance for Canada's U-20 team came at the Porto International tournament versus Norway in 2006.

Kent O'Connor, Defender
O'Connor, who plays with the 1860 Munich youth team in Germany, is technically very sound, aggressive and quick with both feet. Born in Australia but raised in British Columbia, O'Connor first played for Canada's U-20 team at the 2006 Porto International tournament.

Kennedy Owusu-Ansah, Defender
The Toronto native, a member of German club Hertha Berlin, has been a mainstay on the Canadian under-20 team since making his debut last May against Brazil.

Jamie Peters, Midfielder
Peters, from Pickering, Ont., is another key player for team Canada. The speedy midfielder has loads of international experience, having played over 40 times for Canada's U-20 team. He even played on the men's Olympic U-23 squad at the tender age of 16. After impressive trails overseas in 2004, Peters turned down offers from Chelsea, Manchester United and several other clubs to join Ipswich Town in England, signing with the club in the summer of 2005. With his great speed, mazy dribbling skills and blistering acceleration, Peters will be one of the top players to watch this summer.

Tosaint Ricketts, Midfielder
Ricketts made quite the impression in his debut for Canada's U-20 team. The Edmonton native scored two goals in his first game for his country, pacing Canada to a 3-1 win over Scotland in a friendly this past March in B.C. Ricketts is a tireless worker and gives coach Dale Mitchell another dangerous option in midfield.