Stephen Hart has coached Stephen Hart at two previous Gold Cups. (Chris Young/Canadian Press)If nothing else, coach Stephen Hart has changed the mentality of the Canadian national team.
Canada is set to compete at the CONCACAF Gold Cup from June 5 to 15, and as it so happens, the Canadians have been drawn into a tough first-round group with the United States, Panama and Guadeloupe.
Hart plans to use the Gold Cup as an opportunity experiment ahead of Canada's 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign set to begin in September.
But Hart, who began his second tenure as the national team coach in 2009, insists Canada is not going to the Gold Cup simply to prepare for World Cup qualification. He expects his side to produce.
"We've reached a phase now where we want to get results, and definitely we'll be playing for it every time we step on the field," Hart stated. "We have been [doing that], in all honesty, but there's still some things to work out on the team and iron out, and it's going to be more important that that happens ahead of World Cup qualification."
Hart's positive attitude and expectations for Gold Cup success has clearly trickled down to his players.
"The team has been building more and more confidence," said midfielder Atiba Hutchinson.
"I think we have a good enough team to have a good shot at winning the tournament. That's our intention, and hopefully we can go out there and have good performances and see where it takes us."
Added striker Tosaint Ricketts: "I expect the best for us. I think everyone should have a winning mentality going into [this tournament]."
Still work to be done
That being said, there is clearly work to be done if Canada is to contend at the Gold Cup, a fact acknowledged by Hart following his team's 2-2 draw against Ecuador in a friendly June 1 in Toronto.
Leading up to the Ecuador match, Hart stressed the need for Canada to improve its build-up play and hone its attacking instincts.
He saw plenty of that in the first half. Josh Simpson and Will Johnson were dangerous in midfield, making probing runs and effectively linking up with forwards Simeon Jackson and Dwayne De Rosario.
Now all Hart has to do is figure out how to get a complete performance out of his players — a promising opening half gave way to a final 45 minutes that saw Canada outplayed by the South Americans.
Despite Canada's solid effort, Hart admitted he didn't think his team played very well against Ecuador.
"Too many of the players didn't want to accept the responsibility to keep the ball and do what was right," Hart said. "Even though at times we played [well] in spurts it was not good enough."
Hart called for more team balance in the future if Canada is to achieve more cohesion over a full 90-minute match.
"When we went into those attacking phases and we lost the ball, we lost our shape a bit. We have to do better and maintain a balance, even when you attack. That's a matter of positioning and playing to your task," Hart said.
The Canadian coach also asserted that his players have to assume greater responsibility — there's that word again — and follow his tactical instructions to the letter.
"They have to accept the responsibility to protect the ball and play the game. There were too many players [against Ecuador] who didn't want to accept the responsibility," said Hart.
"I don't know if it was nerves or just a lack of playing cohesion. I'll have to look at the tapes again. But the players that you want to take the ball and make things happen have to accept that responsibility."
