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Canada Team Page

Squad

Coach: Dale Mitchell

Roster

Goalkeepers: Asmir Begovic, David Monsalve, Zach Kalthoff.

Defenders: Nana Attakora-Gyan, Kent O'Connor, David Edgar, Marcus Haber, Stephen Lumley, Kennedy Owusu-Ansah, Olivier Lacoste-Lebuis.

Midfielders: Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault, Jaime Peters, Keegan Ayre, Cristian Nunez, Gabe Gala, Michael D'Agostino, Simeon Jackson.

Forwards: Andrea Lombardo, Will Johnson, Tosaint Ricketts, Alex Elliott.

Scouting Report

Strengths: As the host nation, Canada has a big advantage as all of their games will be home games. Coach Dale Mitchell has assembled the most talented Canadian youth squad ever, led by Portsmouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, Newcastle defender David Edgar, Ipswich Town midfielder Jaime Peters and Toronto FC forward Andrea Lombardo. Canada played a series of challenging exhibition games over the last year in preparation for this summer's tournament, including contests against Brazil, Argentina, Scotland, the Czech Republic and the United States. Well-organized in midfield and solid in defence, Canada will be a hard team to break down.

Weaknesses: The home-field advantage is a double-edged sword. The Canadian team will be the focus of media and fan scrutiny every step of the way, putting incredible pressure on Canada's young players. Canada won't have an easy passage into the second round, as it has been drawn into a group with Chile, African champions Congo and Austria.

Player to watch: Jaime Peters, from Pickering, Ont., is a key player for Canada. The speedy midfielder has loads of international experience, having played over 40 times for Canada's under-20 team. He even played on the men's Olympic U-23 squad at the tender age of 16. After impressive trials 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.

Prognosis: Mitchell's Canadian team has a point to prove this summer. After reaching the quarter-finals in 2003, Canada stumbled in Netherlands two years ago when it only earned a draw with Syria en route to crashing out in the first round. Canada hasn't forgotten its poor performance last time around and will use that, combined with the home-field advantage, as a motivation. Canada's first-round group isn't easy, but the Canadians have enough skill, talent and depth to finish second in the group – and they could even finish first ahead of Chile. Canada is defensively solid and well-organized in midfield, and opposing teams will find it difficult to break them down. An appearance in the second round is virtually assured, but the big question is whether Canada can reach the quarter-finals. With a little luck, the Canadians should be able to reach the final eight.

ROAD TO THE U-20 WORLD CUP

2007 qualification route: Canada automatically qualified as tournament hosts.

U-20 World Cup 1st round matches (all times local)

July 1 vs. Chile in Toronto (BMO Field) at 19:45

July 5 vs. Austria in Edmonton (Commonwealth Stadium) at 17:45

July 8 vs. Congo in Edmonton (Commonwealth Stadium) at 20:00

U-20 WORLD CUP HISTORY

Canada has qualified for the U-20 World Cup seven times, beginning in 1979 in Japan, the same tournament that Diego Maradona used to announce his presence to the world.

Canada qualified in 1985 in the Soviet Union and two years later in Chile, and bowed out in the first round both times, before advancing to the second round (where it lost to Spain) in 1997 in Malaysia. Canada followed that up by qualifying for the 2001 event (another first round exit).

A major breakthrough came in 2003 in the United Arab Emirates when Canada advanced to the second round where it defeated Burkina Faso 1-0. Canada put in a brave effort in the quarter-finals, losing to Spain 2-1. It is the farthest any Canadian team has progressed at the tournament. Two years ago in the Netherlands, Canada was sent packing after the first round.

Number of previous U-20 World Cup appearances: 7

All-time record: 24 games played, 4 wins, 5 draws, 15 losses

Goals for: 16 Goals against: 42

Biggest victory: 3-1 vs. Portugal in 1979

Biggest defeat: 0-5 vs. Soviet Union in 1985

Hosted the U-20 World Cup: 2007

1977 – Did not qualify

1979 – First round

1981 – Did not qualify

1983 – Did not qualify

1985 – First round

1987 – First round