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For a nation like Canada, the Gold Cup is a tournament that can provide a huge boost to their ultimate goal – World Cup qualifying. The Gold Cup is the only other source of competitive fixtures for Stephen Hart’s side and he has prepared his team with friendlies versus Greece, Belarus, and Ecuador. One can look at these matches to try and predict how his team will play for the upcoming tournament.
The formation
Stephen Hart seems to be favouring a 4-2-3-1 formation in the lead up to the Gold Cup, however the individuals within that system have not necessarily been consistent. The key for Canada will be their two central midfielders. PSV’s Atiba Hutchinson is likely Canada’s best player and he is key to any success Canada will have. Hutchinson has the ability to win the ball, keep the ball, and play either a simple pass to keep possession or the final killer ball. His partner will likely be Julian de Guzman who will be tasked with sitting deeper. Against Ecuador, Terry Dunfield started beside Hutchinson and his goal was a direct result of being the deeper of the two midfielders. Hutchinson and Dwayne De Rosario were Canada’s two most advanced midfielders in the build-up and they occupied Ecuador’s two central midfielders which gave Dunfield time to set and shoot.
That being said, Stephen Hart has not been afraid to play a 4-3-3 formation in the matches leading up to the Gold Cup. Against Greece he started with de Rosario ahead of Hutchinson and Will Johnson, but when Greece introduced an attacker to play between the lines Canada were exposed. Later in the match Hart brought on David Edgar to sit in front of the back four and Greece were instantly less dangerous. Such tactical flexibility is important for Canada and it is encouraging to see a manager able to make in game decisions that can benefit the team.
The system
We can expect Canada to line up with three central midfielders in some variation and although the two formations have some differences they also share some similarities. They both allow Canada’s wingers to start higher up the pitch, freeing them of some defensive responsibility. In a 4-4-2 the two outside midfielders often have to stay deep and tuck inside without possession because of the lack of a third midfielder, but with that extra man the wingers now can focus on the opposition full backs when they’re defending. Both Josh Simpson and Will Johnson, the two wingers who started versus Ecuador, are hardworking and responsible players when deployed out wide and can be expected to track back if the full back bombs forward. Hart has other options out wide, such as Simeon Jackson and Tosaint Ricketts, who possess pace and natural goal scoring ability. While these players may not be as defensively minded as Simpson or Johnson, they can still be as effective at subduing the opposing team’s full backs by pinning them back and exploiting any space the full back vacates via a counter.
How Canada sets up will depend on where the other team derives their creativity. As mentioned earlier, when Greece introduced a dedicated player in an attacking midfield position, Hart responded by throwing on a defensive midfielder. A 4-3-3 will naturally line up someone beside a number 10, but that has the converse effect of having your deepest midfielder shadowed as well. Hart will have to make a judgment call both before and during a match. If Hutchinson and de Guzman can deal with the space in behind them it can allow for De Rosario to operate in an advanced position. If that space is being exploited don’t be surprised if a defensive midfielder is deployed.
Against the Americans, Hart may be concerned with their deeper midfielders. U.S.A. manager Bob Bradley traditionally likes to have two midfielders sit deep centrally, and allowing them time on the ball to keep possession and spray passes out wide while shielding the back four. In such a situation Canada’s most advanced midfielder, possibly de Rosario, will need to press the Americans in order to not allow them time on the ball to make a decisive pass.
The players
Lars Hirchfeld may be the bigger name, but Milan Borjan played an impressive 90 minutes against Ecuador and may be in line to start. Who plays in front of the keeper is also a valid question. Dejan Jakovic’s injury means that Andrew Hainault will likely pair with captain Kevin McKenna in the middle. At left back, Michael Klukowski is dealing with club issues and Marcel de Jong may get the start. Both offer the ability to get forward and support the midfield and whoever starts will likely come down to who Hart feels is in better form. On the other side Hart’s decision is more dichotomous. Nik Ledgerwood has played the last couple matches and is a safer option but Jamie Peters offers more attacking thrust and raw pace. Against the United States, who like to have their central mids sit deep and wingers cut inside, the deep space out wide could be something Canada can exploit.
As previously mentioned, Canada’s midfield configuration will be in part influenced by their opponents. Hutchinson is an obvious starter and de Guzman is his probable partner. Look for De Rosario to operate between the lines of midfield and attack, unless Hart opts for a 4-3-3 where he has options for the third midfielder. He could drop De Rosario deep, have Johnson play there, or play either Dunfield or David Edgar to add more steel. Josh Simpson has been a standout performer for Canada and the left wing position looks to be his. The right side is more interesting with a host of players who can play there. Johnson started against Ecuador but that spot can also be filled by Jackson, Ricketts, De Rosario (who Hart also likes to employ on the left), or Peters.
Simeon Jackson has just come off a fine campaign in England and looks to be in line to start for Canada. He has the ability to score goals, but what separates him from Ali Gerba and Rob Friend is his movement. He has great ability to exploit the channels and occasionally drops deep to drag around defenders and create space which De Rosario would love to attack from deep. That being said, Gerba and Friend offer a good plan B for Hart. Both are powerful with Friend offering more mobility and Gerba providing a more natural poacher’s finishing ability.
The conclusion
Canada possesses a versatile squad that needs to find out it’s strengths in competitive matches so that they can be fully prepared for the next cycle of World Cup qualifying. In Stephen Hart they have a manager who can read a game and make the necessary adjustments. If the players follow their instructions and Hart has the courage and quick thinking make the changes then Canada can play to the best of their ability and have a good tournament. With a history of extreme lows and brief highs, hopefully the Canadian national team can build a consistent, positive environment under Stephen Hart, starting with the 2011 Gold Cup.
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