In some ways, this is old territory for David Edgar. And in other ways, it’s brand new terrain.
At the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, Edgar served as captain of Canada’s youth team, providing leadership and anchoring the Canadian defence. Since then, the centre back from Kitchener, Ont., has scored one goal in 16 appearances for Canada’s senior side, establishing himself as a regular starter for the Reds.
But Edgar has never really been asked to quarterback the defence of the senior team, something he’ll have to do at this month’s CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States.
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The Canadian squad has been in California since June 26 for training camp ahead of the tournament. Canada kicks off Gold Cup play on July 7 against Martinique in Pasadena, Calif. It then faces off against Mexico in Seattle (July 11) and Panama in Denver (July 14).
The top two teams from each of the three groups, plus the two highest-seeded third-place teams, will advance to the quarter-finals.
With Canada in rebuilding mode, it’s a young and somewhat inexperienced side that will compete at the Gold Cup – especially in defence.
Former captain Kevin McKenna has been phased out of the national team setup, Dejan Jakovic is injured, and Andre Hainault declined an invitation to play because he is out of contract and is looking to sign with a new team.
That leaves Edgar, at 26, as one of the oldest and most experienced players in a Canadian defence that includes Doneil Henry (20 years old, four caps), Ashtone Morgan (22, five caps) and Adam Straith (22, 11 caps).
The defensive unit is rounded out by Marcel de Jong (26, 21 caps) and Nik Ledgerwood (28, 26 caps). But it’s clear that interim manager Colin Miller will be looking to Edgar, who plays for English Championship side Burnley, to take charge of the Canadian defence at the Gold Cup.
It’s a role Edgar relishes because if he does well, he believes it will lead to even more responsibility with the national team down the line.
“I’ve done that my whole career anyway, sort of marshalling the back four. I’m looking forward to it,” Edgar told sportsnet.ca.
He later added: “I’m basically playing for my future. I want to play every game and be the first name on the team sheet. You can only achieve that by performing and hopefully I’ll do enough to stay in the manager’s plans. (This Gold Cup) is a big step up for me.”
Thus far, Edgar has taken a mentoring and leadership role in training camp, providing guidance to the team’s young defenders in preparing them for the Gold Cup.
By nature, Edgar admits he is a yeller, but he explained that some teammates respond to shouting, while others don’t. He’s taken a more quiet approach in training camp, and found that the youngsters have been eager to listen to him.
“They’ve been really responsive. They want to learn and want to better themselves,” Edgar said. “I’ve been willing to help and do what I can to give them any kind of extra edge at this level. I like taking on that leadership role.”
It’ll be interesting to see how youngsters such as Henry and Morgan do in their first serious test for the senior team. Miller wants to give as many youngsters as he can a chance to play so that they can gain valuable experience and develop, thus expanding the Canadian player pool for the next cycle of World Cup qualifying.
Edgar agrees with the approach, but warns that it’s going to take time before the youngsters fully mature.
“We have a lot of good young players coming through. The Gold Cup is a good challenge for us and for them. … If these young guys want to play at this level, why not start now and build for the future?” Edgar said.
“They have the attributes to play at this level. But it’s obviously a different type of game when you get out there and you’re playing a Mexico or a Panama. They’re going to have to learn that.”
Edgar isn’t the only one who Miller expects to provide a leadership role, as midfielder Will Johnson, who is having a breakout MLS campaign with the Portland Timbers, was appointed captain by the Canadian coach last week.
Edgar has played with Johnson for both the senior and U-20 sides (they were teammates at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup staged in Canada), and thinks Miller made the right move in making him captain.
“I think it’s a fantastic appointment. He’s a good leader on and off the pitch. He goes about his business in a quiet way and is one of these guys who leads by example with the work rate he puts in, Edgar offered.
After the Gold Cup, Edgar plans to return to England for pre-season training with Burnley, who opens its Championship season on Aug. 3 at home to Bolton.
Canada won the Gold Cup in 2000 and made it to the semifinals on two other occasions (2002 and 2007). It failed to advance beyond the group stage at the last Gold Cup in 2011.