Its been more than a year and a half since Canadas mens soccer team tasted victory. Too long for Benito Floro. So while Canadas pair of friendlies against Bulgaria and Moldova in Austria are a continuation of the coachs plan to bring young players into the Canadian team fold, theyre also very much about winning. "We need to win because it is very important for us to improve our psychology and mentality," Floro said Thursday from Laa an der Thaya, Austria, where the team has been based. "For us, they are two games that are very important." Canada — 110th in the FIFA rankings — faces No. 73 Bulgaria on Friday in Ritzing then meets 99th-ranked Moldova in Mauer on Tuesday. The Canadians went a woeful 0-13 last year, and scored just one goal — by Marcus Haber — in a 2-1 loss to Japan. Their last victory came in October 2012, a 3-0 win in World Cup qualifying against a Cuban side that dressed just 11 players (several Cubans left the team before the game kicked off in Toronto). "Were longing for a win," Atiba Hutchinson said. "Its been a while so I think were motivated enough to get that. We just have to go out and work as we always do and hopefully well be a bit more fortunate with getting that result, but well have that working spirit." Floro summoned a mix of veterans such as Hutchinson and Julian de Guzman and promising young players including Caleb Clarke, Samuel Piette, Daniel Stanese and Cyle Larin for these friendlies. Eight of the Canadians have yet to make their national senior debut, as Floro focuses on developing younger players one year out from the next CONCACAF Gold Cup and the resumption of World Cup qualifying. "The objective is the same for every camp: to prepare players on our system of play because we need to improve our level in attack and defence. At the same time, we want to take the young players because the experienced players are good at teaching them how to work as an individual and in a collective," Floro said. "For the young players, this is a very good experience because our experienced players are very good people and they are always focused on teaching the young players how to do things in a good way." Floro is counting on players such as the 31-year-old Hutchinson, who plays professionally in Turkey, to help bring the younger ones along. "Were developing well and mixing some younger players is going to help us," Hutchinson said. "Its going to take some time to jell a little bit more but I think were trying to go in the right direction." On a team that sorely needs goal scoring, eyes will be on the six-foot-two Larin in these two friendlies. The 19-year-old from Brampton, Ont., earned conference rookie of the years honours after scoring a team-high 14 goals for the University of Connecticut. "We brought Larin into the Florida camp (in January) because we had a very good reference and we want to test him because hes a striker and we need a lot of players in this position," Floro said. "In that camp, we realized he is a young player but with good experience playing as a striker. He has a good desire to learn a lot about that and for us he is a good player for the present and the future." Canadas roster is comprised mostly of European-based players. Among the other veterans on the squad are Andre Hainault, David Edgar, Tosaint Ricketts and Simeon Jackson. Jordan Crawford Jersey . As a follow-up, TSN.ca offers you the opportunity to chime in on all the big issues with our insiders. Read up on all the questions and answers, and put in your own two cents on our popular Your Call feature. JJ Redick Jersey . Mika Zibanejad and Jason Spezza scored in the shootout to lead the Ottawa Senators to a 2-1 victory over Nashville on Saturday night. https://www.pelicanslockerroom.com/Zylan-Cheatham-City-Edition-Jersey/ .com) - Joe Pavelski scored twice to lead the San Jose Sharks in a 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers to split a home-and-home set. Nickeil Alexander-Walker Pelicans Jersey . No surprise there. Kershaw, who also earned the title after throwing his first career no-hitter in June, had a 1. Jahlil Okafor Pelicans Jersey . Hamels threw seven sharp innings to earn his 100th career victory, Domonic Brown had a career-best five RBIs and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Cincinnati Reds 12-1 on Saturday night to end a four-game losing streak.The Tambellini name is well known in the hockey world. Steve has built a solid reputation throughout the years - first as a hockey player, then as an NHL general manager and now as a scout. Hes had years of experience and knows how to handle any situation with ease. But when it comes to asserting himself into his son Adams hockey career with the Western Hockey Leagues Calgary Hitmen, the Tambellini patriarch has been silent. "Adam being an older guy and coming from a hockey family, I havent had any interaction with the family other than saying hello," said Hitmen head coach Mike Williamson. "Steve and his family know our organization (and) feel comfortable with Adam coming here. "Hes very quiet. Lets us do our business. Hes more of a fan than a dad, more so than people think." Adam is the youngest child to bear the Tambellini name. Drafted 65th overall by the New York Rangers last year, he went the collegiate route and started his rookie season with the University of North Dakota last September. But 16 games into the campaign, Adam had a change of heart. He turned to his most trusted advisors - his father and brother Jeff - for some guidance. As a family, they made the decision that Adams future was best served in the Canadian Hockey League, with its heavier schedule and more opportunity to play. The Portland Winterhawks owned Adams rights, but Adam made it known his preference was to go to Calgary. The Hitmen jumped at the chance to acquire him, trading their 2014 first-round bantam pick to get him. And it was a decision that Williamson says has already paid off. "The reason he came is because he wanted to play more hockey," he said. "To develop his consistency and play a tougher schedule and get used to that day-to-day grind. Hes come in and fit in really well. Hes given us some depth in the middle on the ice, hes given us a scoring threat, he puts the puck in the net or can set somebody else up." And Adams actions have spoke volumes. On the day he was traded to Calggary, he drove to Winnipeg and then flew to Saskatoon for his first game with the Hitmen - and finished the night with four points.ddddddddddddWhats more impressive is that in 19 games so far, he already has 27 points. "I want to get stronger and develop my game as much as possible," said Tambellini. "Playing this pro-style level, its going to lead onto the AHL and one day hopefully the NHL. Again I will be playing against men in those leagues, so getting stronger is the number one thing." At 63 and 185 pounds, Adams been told by the Rangers that he has to get stronger. Hes a known playmaker - a skilled centre who can play a two-way game and also carries a great shot. But Williamson says he has to grow into his frame and like most other junior players, he has to become more consistent. Adams also spent some time in the offseason working out with his older brother Jeff. The elder Tambellini, who played six seasons in National Hockey League before heading to MoDo of the Swedish Elite League, runs Factory Hockey, a business that helps develop hockey players from the minors up to the NHL. And while father Steve remains close to Adam, its Jeff that has been his biggest role model. "We are different players," said Adam. "He always tells me theres says theres no right or wrong way to get to the NHL. Obviously with him he didnt have the longest career but six long seasons is quite the accomplishment and I look up to him more than anyone." As for his father, Adam wants to make his own name in hockey without the help of his father. He doesnt name drop or use it to get ahead. But he does always take to heart his fathers best piece of advice, which is simply to be a pro every day on the ice and off the ice. "To me, hes just my dad, just another father who has helped me along in my hockey career," he explained. "Obviously with his background hes got ties to the hockey world. Hes been a great supporter but has been a quiet impact on my life and around the rink." ' ' '