The Emergence of Dejan Jakovic

Dejan Jakovic had only played for the Canadian National Team two times before the Gold Cup. Both of those matches were friendlies, and the second was a pre-Gold Cup friendly. With this in mind Jakovic went into the Gold Cup probably expecting to be behind Hainault and Hastings in the pecking order at centre back, but Hart gave him a start in the first game against Jamaica. A decision which payed off.

The twenty-four-year-old defender is currently applying his trade in the MLS with D.C. United. His performances with D.C. have been very impressive, and they obviously caught the eye of Stephen Hart.

Since the first minute of the Gold Cup Jakovic has been incredible. He was The Canadian Stretford End's man of the match (there are very few higher honours) in the first game against Jamaica. He also played a very solid game against El Salvador in another 1-0 win. Paired together with McKenna, Canada kept clean sheets in their first two matches.

Jakovic and McKenna have complimented each other very well in the tournament so far. McKenna is a typical tough, good in the air, centre back, but Jakovic provides something very different. He is technically very strong with the ball at his feet. He can distribute the ball from the back line quickly, and he is very calm playing the ball around in the final third.

He is also a very patient defender, something that Canada needs more of. Too often are Canadian defenders caught lunging into tackles, committing too early and getting beat. Jakovic is a smart player who shows incredible patience, jockeying and sticking with opponents.

When Canada tied Costa Rica in the final game of the group stage 2-2, it became evident just how important Jakovic has been. The difference in distribution between Hastings and Jakovic is like night and day. Jakovic also seemed to calm McKenna down in the first two games, because against Costa Rica Mckenna had returned to the old Canadian long ball style.

Jakovic kept opposition breaks to a minimum, making sure he slowed down the attack every time an opponent would run at him. Against Costa Rica the lack of discipline in the back line became obvious purely because of the number of quick attacks that the Ticos had.

Jakovic is a refreshing change on the Canadian back line from the "boot it long", "get stuck in", Hasting, Serioux, or McKenna type defenders. Without a doubt Dejan Jakovic has been Canada's best player of this tournament so far.