Straith, Canada begin road to Gold Cup

Curacao’s population doesn’t total even half of Adam Straith’s hometown.

Yet, the defender from Victoria faces the former Dutch Caribbean colony that is 39 placings ahead of Canada in the FIFA men’s world soccer rankings. The friendly between No. 70 Curacao and No. 109 Canada begins at 4:30 p.m. on TSN from Saputo Stadium in Montreal.

“They are ranked internationally where they are not by mistake,” warned Straith, who is looking for his 43rd cap today.

“They have some very dangerous players playing at high levels across the world that can punish us if we are not ready.”

Tiny Curacao kicks well above its weight with a surprising output of talent that includes Cuco Martina of Everton, Leandro Bacuna of Aston Villa, Vurnon Anita of Newcastle United, Liandro Martis of Leicester City, Riechedly Bazoer of Wolfsburg and Jetro Willems of PSV along with a flotilla of other players in the Dutch Eredivisie.

The match is to help get both sides ready for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup next month in the U.S., and begins the fledgling era under new Canadian head coach Octavio Zambrano.

“With a new coaching staff running things, the whole camp has a fresh new feel to it here in Montreal,” said Straith, a product of Bays United and Lower Island Metro.

“Everyone is obviously doing what they can to impress the new coach to get a spot on the team moving forward to the Gold Cup.”

Most watched will be 16-year-old sensation and Vancouver Whitecaps prospect Alphonso Davies in his first national team call-up.

“We have some young new players who are here for their first or second camps, and they have shown that they have quite a lot of talent,” added the 26-yearold Straith, who plays for FC Edmonton. “It is exciting because it shows me the future is bright.”

Zambrano named a 40-player list for the Gold Cup, including Straith and goalkeeper Simon Thomas of Victoria. Only 23 will dress tonight, including Straith. Getting the call to suit up in the nets are veteran Milan Borjan from Polish pro club MKS Korona Kielce and Maxime Crepeau from the Montreal Impact of the MLS.

The six-foot-four Thomas, a Norwegian Premiership pro and Bays United product capped seven times, is one of four goalkeepers named by Zambrano for the Gold Cup long list along with Borjan, Crepeau and Jayson Leutwiler of Shrewsbury Town FC.

“There is a motivation that Canadian players must have — the pride and the passion — in wearing the Canadian shirt,” said Zambrano, in a statement.