Canada wrap up U-17 camp after splitting series with Costa Rica and Mexico

Canada Soccer’s Men’s U-17 National Team split their two-match series after both a Thursday afternoon win over Costa Rica and a Monday morning loss to Mexico. The youth international matches were part of Canada’s preparations for the 2023 Concacaf Men’s Under-17 Championship in Guatemala.

Canada won 2:1 over Costa Rica on Thursday 15 December, but lost 0:3 to host Mexico on Monday 19 December. Mexico also won 1:0 over Mexico on Tuesday 13 December, with all three matches played at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento de la Federación Mexicana de Fútbol. For Canada, they were the first two international tests for this age group.

“This was the first international experience for our young players as they build towards the 2023 Concacaf Men’s Under-17 Championship and ultimately the Men’s National Team,” said Andrew Olivieri, Canada Soccer’s Men’s U-17 Coach. “We are laying the foundation for what it means to play for Canada and represent the badge. There is an opportunity for these young player to use this experience and springboard their careers towards higher levels of the game.”

Across the two matches, 23 of the 24 players made their youth international debuts. While substitutions were made across both matches to ensure players picked up important international minutes, several players missed the second match against Mexico because of illness while Ibrahim Higazy missed both matches through injury. After 19 players made their debuts in the first match, Victor Fung, Simon Guardiero, Alexander O’Brien and Kyler Vojvodic all made their debuts on Monday against Mexico.

The 2023 Concacaf Men’s Under-17 Championship runs 11 to 26 February in Guatemala. Canada have been drawn into Group F alongside Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and USA. The top-three nations from the group advance to the Round of 16. From the knockout phase, the top-four nations will qualify for the FIFA U-17 Word Cup Peru 2023.

Canada Soccer’s Men’s EXCEL Program channels our nation’s exceptional players into the best soccer environments. The Canada Soccer Pathway works in collaboration with our provincial and territory partners as well as the professional clubs and academies. For Canada’s elite players, the program emphasizes player development on the pathway to representing Canada’s Men’s National Team in international soccer.

CANADA SOCCER’S MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM PROGRAM
Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team are three-time Concacaf champions, previously winning the 1985 Concacaf Championship, 2000 Concacaf Gold Cup, and 2021-22 Concacaf Qualifiers. Canada most recently qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and have previously featured at the 1976 and 1984 Olympic Games, the 1986 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, and the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Youth Teams have won two Concacaf titles: both the 1986 and 1996 Concacaf Men’s Youth Championships. Canada have qualified for 15 FIFA men’s youth tournaments: eight editions of the FIFA U-20 World Cup and seven editions of the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Canada most recently qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019, which was the last FIFA men’s youth competition before the global pandemic.