By Canadian Press

Findlay picks mix of youth, veterans for Canada’s friendly vs. South Korea

Nov 2, 2016 | 12:00 PM

Michael Findlay said he could have selected players virtually from anywhere for Canada’s men’s soccer friendly Nov. 11 against South Korea, because the game falls on a designated FIFA date.

But in the midst of MLS playoffs, among other important fixtures, the interim coach says it was more important to support Canadian players, wherever they may be.

“One of the great challenges we’ve had in the program in the past, and will continue to have if we don’t start assisting all of our players, is gaining valuable minutes. And gaining valuable minutes in valuable matches,” Findlay said.

“When you see the Canadians featuring in MLS playoffs, and NASL playoffs, and also in some of the leagues around the world, we sat down and discussed it, not just as an internal staff but also with senior management, and then engaged the players and said ‘Look this is what we want to do, we want to support you in these situations and provide you that opportunity to be successful and gain the experience that is ultimately going to benefit us longterm.’” 

Marcel de Jong, with 48 international matches, and David Edgar, with 40, are Canada’s most experienced players on Findlay’s roster.

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The roster also includes seven players with four or fewer international “A” level games, including goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler, who will make his senior team debut. Eight players are 24 years or younger, including Fraser Aird, Cyle Larin and Samuel Piette, who are all 21, and 20-year-old Marco Bustos.

Once again, Atiba Hutchinson is a notable absence as he takes time away from the national team to figure out his future. Findlay said he’s in contact with the midfielder, who played for his Turkish club Besiktas in Champions League action on Tuesday.

“He has not indicated either way what his decision is in regard to representing Canada in the future,” Findlay said on a conference call. “We understand the scenarios and what he has to focus on, and we’ll give him that time, he deserves it and he’s been an incredible servant to us, and in my opinion probably the best player who’s put on the jersey for our country.” 

Findlay was vague about his own future as head coach, saying “That will unfold in the next couple of weeks. My position is I’ll just keep swinging the bat and hitting the balls until they say I’m out.”

The friendly, in Cheonan, marks the first meeting between the two countries since 2002. South Korea, which is in the six-nation Group A of Asia’s 2018 FIFA World qualifying, will use the match to prepare for its game four days later against Uzbekistan.

For Canada, the long trip to South Korea will be a good lesson in logistics for the players.

“The travel and logistics of this camp and opponent we will face in this match also provides us with an opportunity to assess the players’ ability to adapt both on and off the field,” Findlay said.

Canada has posted a record of nine wins, seven draws and seven losses in 23 international matches over the past two years.

The Koreans’ record in 2016 is six wins, a draw and two losses.

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Goalkeepers: Simon Thomas, FK Bodo/Glimt (Norway); Jayson Leutwiler, Shrewsbury Town FC (England).

Defenders: Manjrekar James, Vasas Budapest (Hungary); David Edgar, Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Marcel De Jong, Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Steven Vitoria, Lechia Gdansk (Poland); Karl W. Ouimette, Jacksonville Armada (NASL); Dejan Jakovic, Shimizu S-Pulse (Japan).

Defender-Midfielders: Jamar Dixon, Ottawa Fury FC (NASL); Fraser Aird, Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Maxim Tissot, Ottawa Fury FC (NASL).

Midfielders: Marco Bustos, Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); David (Junior) Hoilett, Cardiff City FC; Samuel Piette, CD Izarra (Spain); Adam Straith, Fredrikstad FK (Norway); Charlie Trafford, MKS Korona Kielce (Poland).

Forwards: Marcus Haber, Dundee FC (Scotland); Cyle Larin, Orlando City SC (MLS).

Lori Ewing, The Canadian Press