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As one of the players who has made a return to the Canadian Men’s National Team after some time away, striker Ali Gerba was also one of the few Canadians who really stood out in the team’s 2-0 loss to the United States, as he came on late in the game as a substitute and easily could have had two goals if not for a couple of brilliant saves by U.S.A. keeper Tim Howard. With his club career finally looking settled with him as a key player with his hometown club, the Montreal Impact, Gerba has returned to the national team in a positive frame of mind and he is genuinely appreciative of the opportunity to represent Canada again.
“It feels great (to be back with Canada). It feels good to see the boys and everybody, so it is a really good feeling,” says Gerba.
The 29 year old striker has returned Canada after more than a year away and he is impressed with the new players have been added to the squad since he last suited up for Canada against Jamaica in January 2010.
“I think there are a lot of talented young players and we have a good squad. It’s a blessing to be part of it and we just need to make sure that everybody understands their job and we’ll go forward and try to get some results.”
Regardless of the result against the U.S., Gerba, who is now playing in his third Gold Cup and who is Canada’s all-time leading score at CONCACAF’s premier international tournament, believes that Canada has all of the elements of a team that can go far in the competition.
“I think our confidence level is great. The guys know what they can do and they have proven it internationally, so we just have to believe it and then bring it onto the field. I think everyone strongly believes we can reach the highest level. I think we need to be a team and everybody needs to understand their roles and then go into the matches with the right mentality. I think we have a great coach and a great organization and now that we have more experience in the tournament, I think it is just a matter of putting in the effort and getting the results.”
In addition, to being Canada’s leading scorer in the Gold Cup, Gerba is also Canada’s active leading goal scorer with 15 goals and he currently sits fourth on Canada’s all-time list. At 29 years old, the veteran forward is certainly within striking distance of taking over the top spot as Canada’s all-time scorer. And while it is a record that any striker would take pride in, it is not something that Gerba is focused on.
“Personally, that hasn’t been my goal and I’m not looking for that. If it happens I will be blessed to be part of Canadian history, but I always say that it is such a great opportunity to be playing with other players that have such great talent on the team.”
Regardless of the fact that he isn’t thinking about the record on a daily basis, he does have some company in the pursuit, with Dwayne De Rosario also having struck 15 times for Canada. Gerba believes that having two players with great respect for each other within striking distance of the top can only help Canada’s offensive output.
“I have a lot of great respect for Dwayne. If he finishes first, I will be as pleased as if I finish first. We are good friends and it really just is about friendly competition. If I finish first or he finishes first, I think he will be happy the same way that I will be happy for him.”
With the scoring record a tertiary objective, Gerba is philosophically in line with the entire Canadian National Team in stating that qualifying for the World Cup is the his primary objective, with a good showing at the Gold Cup as an important but secondary goal.
“Of course (it’s all about the World Cup). For everybody who starts playing soccer, we have that dream to play in the World Cup some day, so we are working hard towards that goal.”
With zero goals scored in an opening loss to the U.S., Canada will need to win its next two group matches and will need to score some goals. With his success at two previous Gold Cups and with Canada’s two best scoring chances against the Americans, Gerba knows a thing or two about scoring in the CONCACAF region and he is confident that Canada will put their share of balls in the nets of opponents before the tournament concludes.
“As a striker, the secret to scoring is having good teammates. A forward doesn’t score goals by himself. I have great talents playing behind me and supporting me, so that’s why I have been scoring goals. It’s been a couple of years since Stephen Hart brought in his system. We have played the ball on the ground and have been playing very easy and we have a good technical team that can compete with the rest of the world. So it is very easy now to score goals. You just have to be in the right place.”
The next couple of years look to be busy ones for Gerba, with the barrel-chested forward hoping to play a key role in a World Cup Qualification for Canada while at the same time taking a leadership role as his hometown Montreal Impact side works to transition successfully into competitive and top notch Major League Soccer club. And with the recently announced World Cup qualification format meaning that Canada will have to play more qualification matches than in previous years, Gerba, like all of the players on the Canadian squad, will have to figure out a way to balance out club responsibilities with a busy International schedule.
“Of course, I am looking forward to (Montreal joining the MLS in 2012). It is a great honour for me and a great pleasure for me to be playing at home in front of family and friends. It’s a good opportunity and a way for me to show people what I can do on the field. There is a way to be professional about everything, so you just have to understand what your job is and you just have to balance everything accordingly. You can’t control everything. You just have to be professional.”
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