Adam Straith of Victoria 鈥� back on the Canadian national team roster for friendlies Friday against Japan and Monday against Belarus in Doha, Qatar 鈥� has learned some harsh lessons about not taking anything for granted in international soccer.
Not even after earning 11 caps by age 21.
The graduate of Bays United showed well in sa国际传媒鈥檚 successful first round of 2014 World Cup qualifying in 2011 but was left off the roster for the next round in 2012, which concluded in the disastrous 8-1 loss at Honduras that emphatically ended sa国际传媒鈥檚 hopes of advancing to this year鈥檚 final round of CONCACAF qualifying for Brazil 2014.
As sa国际传媒 picks up the shattered World Cup shards to rebuild for a run at Russia 2018, re-enter Straith.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been great to be back with the team, especially after being away for a period of time,鈥� said Straith, the 22-year-old defender, who at the pro club level is currently on loan to FC Saarbrucken from Energie Cottbus in Germany.
鈥淚t鈥檚 refreshing to be back with the boys, and to see some new young faces. There are definitely some very talented young players coming up through the ranks, and people should be excited to see what they have to offer.鈥�
The graduate of Oak Bay High is philosophical about his own status.
鈥淚 try not to think too much about being a [so-called] 鈥榖ig part of the future鈥� of the national team,鈥� noted Straith.
鈥淚鈥檝e learned in my few years playing abroad that it鈥檚 very dangerous, especially for a young player, to think that he has made it or to be easily satisfied. There are always a number of players vying for only a certain amount of spots on the roster. As clich茅 as it sounds, I鈥檓 honestly only trying to focus on this camp and performing well to earn a possible spot in the next upcoming camps and games.鈥�
sa国际传媒 has assembled a 21-player camp for the friendlies against Japan and Belarus, including World Cup qualifying veterans and overseas pros David Edgar, Julian de Guzman, Atiba Hutchinson, Will Johnson, Nik Ledgerwood, Simeon Jackson and Tosaint Ricketts.
Veteran national team midfielder Josh Simpson of Victoria is still not fully recuperated from a horrific leg break incurred last year during a Swiss Premier league game.
The two upcoming friendlies in Doha are in preparation for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup to be held July 7-28 in the U.S. sa国际传媒 will have group games against Mexico, Panama and Martinique.
