TORONTO – Quite often, the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup shines a spotlight on some of the best young talent in the game.
For Canada’s trio of Kadeisha Buchanan, Jessie Fleming and Sura Yekka, this summer’s tournament to be staged in four Canadian cities will be less of a coming out party than a showcase to prove that they are ready to seize the national spotlight now. All three Canadian stalwarts have experience with the women’s senior team, and are more than capable of leading the host country to its first win in the U-20 event.
FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup: The 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup runs from August 5–24 in four cities across Canada. Watch all 32 games live on CBC and Sportsnet. || Match schedule || Standings || Tournament preview || Spotlight on Canada’s terrific trio || Sportsnet Q&A: John Herdman
The future best centre back in the game
Kadeisha Buchanan made headlines earlier this year after scoring Canada’s lone goal in a 1-1 draw against the U.S. for the senior team.
Buchanan won player of the match honours, highlighting her ability to dominate at the senior level.
This past week, former Canadian national team star Kara Lang went as far to describe Buchanan as the "future best centre back in the game," and the West Virginia Mountaineer is ready to lead a strong Canadian U-20 team brimming with confidence.
"I just try to take certain things from the senior team and try to bring it to this team," Buchanan said.
"Everyone on the senior team has leadership, so I just try to bring that here, and a couple of other players that have played for the senior team try to lead this team."
Buchanan exhibited a stoic confidence at Wednesday’s press gathering in Toronto, particularly about Canada’s chance to win the tournament.
"We’re getting a lot of stones unturned in the training sessions, we’re looking very sharp," she said.
"Our team is capable of dominating our opposition, being in their half and getting some goals out of it."
Buchanan’s ability to win tackles is already at elite level, and the Toronto native will be the anchor of Canada’s defence.
Jessie Fleming: The next Kara Lang?
Jessie Fleming is the second-youngest player ever to crack the senior national team’s lineup—only Kara Lang was a younger debutante—a point that was not lost on the former senior team star.
At 16, Fleming displays a confidence that belies her age. She played every minute for Canada at this year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup in Costa Rica, scoring one of the goals of the tournament on a scintillating free kick, and added an assist.
Like Buchanan, Fleming is confident about Canada’s chances at the U-20 tournament, citing the team’s experience in other FIFA events.
"Everyone on the team has some under-17 experience, and a couple of us have experience with the women’s team," Fleming said.
"It’s perfect because we’ve experienced a big tournament, and we know what it’s like not dealing with a lot of recovery time, and intense matches. I think it’ll help."
Nonetheless, Fleming was cautious as to not look past the group stage of the U-20 World Cup, with Canada set to face Finland, Ghana and North Korea.
"I think we’re capable of going all the way. I think it’s going to be tough for any team to win the tournament so I think we just got to take it game by game," she offered.
Fleming has taken her experience with the senior team to heart, and knows that she is part of a new generation that can build upon Canada’s bronze medal at the Olympics.
"It definitely adds a little bit of pressure, but at the same time it kind of shows us what we’re capable of doing. Canada is good enough at soccer to accomplish that (bronze medal)," Fleming said.
"It also adds a little bit of confidence for the younger programs, it sets the bar and shows us what we can do."
Sura Yekka is unflappable and ready to dominate
Like Buchanan and Fleming, Sura Yekka’s experience playing for the Canadian women’s national team has provided the 17-year-old with invaluable confidence heading into the U-20 tournament.
Yekka, who has committed to the University of Michigan, plays at left back and is banking on her ability to push up the flanks with tremendous pace at the U-20 World Cup.
"I feel like I have an opportunity to attack more than I usually get to with the senior team. It’ll help me improve, gain confidence and stuff like that," Yekka said.
The Mississauga, Ont., native has played against the U.S. and Germany at the senor level—competition of the highest order, of which she relishes—and is looking forward to playing the two powerhouses if Canada advances from the group stage.
"I feel like because of the senior team, I’ve had an opportunity to play against two of the top countries in the world—USA and Germany—so I feel like taking that experience, and using it with my own age group," Yekka said.
"The comparison is different, but I think it will be positive and I can bring it into this environment and hopefully share it with my teammates as well."
With Canada hosting the tournament, it is inevitable that the players will feel the pressure of a major tournament. Yekka seemed unfazed.
"There’s a little bit of pressure, but I feel that we’re not letting it get to us. We’re taking it as a positive instead of a negative, and we’re embracing the experience, and all our home fans coming to support us," Yekka stated.