Veterans transfer experience to youth

There is plenty of experience on Canada’s roster in advance of the two Men’s International Friendly matches on September’s FIFA International calendar. Among those stalwarts is right back Paul Stalteri, who is now just one match away from tying Canada’s all-time record for appearances held by The Soccer Hall of Fame honoured member Randy Samuel.



“It is something very special,” said Stalteri. “Randy was a fantastic player for Canada and he represented us at the 1986 FIFA World Cup™. It is a big moment (for me) with an opportunity to look back on your career at the dedication and loyalty we have to our country.



Sixteen of Canada’s 20 players have experience in both FIFA World Cup™ and the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Five of those veterans are 30 years or older, including Stalteri who represented Canada at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Japan 1993 and then made his national debut at age 19 at Varsity Stadium in Toronto.



“The older players have to make the young players feel comfortable,” said Canadian national head coach Stephen Hart. “Paul is only one of a number of senior players. We’ve discussed this at length in the past with the older players.”



Stalteri, forward Dwayne De Rosario, goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld, midfielder Patrice Bernier and centre back Kevin McKenna all came into the national team over the last 13 years. De Rosario was 20 in 1998, Hirschfeld was 21 in 2000, McKenna was 20 in 2000, and Bernier was 24 in 2003.



While Stalteri is approaching Samuel’s record for goals, De Rosario is approaching the all-time record for goals, held by Dale Mitchell. De Rosario has 15 career goals with the national team, tied for fourth most behind Mitchell (19), John Catliff (18), and Alex Bunbury (16). Tied with De Rosario is Ali Gerba who is not participating in this camp.



Like Stalteri, De Rosario has high hopes for the new FIFA World Cup™ campaign.



“My dream has always been to make the FIFA World Cup™, so I’m not going to let age get in the way of that,” said De Rosario. “Hopefully I can stay healthy, keep myself in good shape and play at a high standard. I will play as long as I feel capable of representing my country.”



Canada’s national team faces Peru this 4 September at BMO Field in Toronto, ON. Tickets to the match are available via Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.ca / 416.872.5000. Three nights later, Canada faces Honduras on 7 September at Stade Saputo in Montréal, QC.