CANADA: Road to South Africa 2010

[Locke]

It doesnt look like they're taking this seriously.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by Locke

It doesnt look like they're taking this seriously.

They don't... at all. The CSA is a mickey-mouse organization, whom apparently treat their players like crap, provide inadequate infrastructure (staff and stadia), and yet cry bloody murder when one of the more talented young players decide the Canadian circus is not for them, as was the case with De Guzman and Hargreaves, and likely many more in the future.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

They don't... at all. The CSA is a mickey-mouse organization, whom apparently treat their players like crap, provide inadequate infrastructure (staff and stadia), and yet cry bloody murder when one of the more talented young players decide the Canadian circus is not for them, as was the case with De Guzman and Hargreaves, and likely many more in the future.

Thats a very good point, but even if you throw both of those guys in here I dont know how much that would change our fortunes.

At the same time though, I dont like working for someone who doesnt take my work seriously, why would you want to play for a country that doesnt take your sport seriously?

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by Locke

Thats a very good point, but even if you throw both of those guys in here I dont know how much that would change our fortunes.

At the same time though, I dont like working for someone who doesnt take my work seriously, why would you want to play for a country that doesnt take your sport seriously?

Would it turn Canada into Holland or even England? No way, but an infusion of two talents would make a big difference against most CONCACAF competition, and would help reduce the gap between Canada and the US and Mexico.

I agree, why play for a country that spends more money on the summer olympics (which is also underfunded) than they do on soccer?

[chris_yk]

Yet another pretty much must-win game for Canada tonight in Mexico, 7pm on Sportsnet. Not being played at the Azteca in Mexico city, isntead in a smaller provincial city so hopefully that will work slightly in Canada's favour. Mexico isn't quite the world power people often make them out to be, so here's hoping we can pull this off!

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by chris_yk

Yet another pretty much must-win game for Canada tonight in Mexico, 7pm on Sportsnet. Not being played at the Azteca in Mexico city, isntead in a smaller provincial city so hopefully that will work slightly in Canada's favour. Mexico isn't quite the world power people often make them out to be, so here's hoping we can pull this off!

Mexico isn't a world power, but they are definitely the continental power and can easily rip Canada to shreds, especially if Canada can't even beat freaking Jamaica or Honduras.

A must-win against the one team expected to steamroll the group is a pretty sad position to be in. I expect firings soon. The players really aren't that bad. Talentwise, Canada is probably third or fourth in CONCACAF.

[chris_yk]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Mexico isn't a world power, but they are definitely the continental power and can easily rip Canada to shreds, especially if Canada can't even beat freaking Jamaica or Honduras.

A must-win against the one team expected to steamroll the group is a pretty sad position to be in. I expect firings soon. The players really aren't that bad. Talentwise, Canada is probably third or fourth in CONCACAF.

I agree that Mexico is a continental power (along with the US unfortunately who have a pretty good record against them recently) and points from the game tonight may be a longshot, but anyone who saw Canada play Brazil a few months back would know that they have the talent to make this a contest, it's just a matter of everything coming together. Unfortunately Dale Mitchell like you seem to hint at, just isn't the guy for the job and I can't wait to see the back of him. In spite of him I still think Canada has a chance for at least a draw tonight but it'll take a great performance and a lot more heart and discipline than we saw on the weekend.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by chris_yk

I agree that Mexico is a continental power (along with the US unfortunately who have a pretty good record against them recently) and points from the game tonight may be a longshot, but anyone who saw Canada play Brazil a few months back would know that they have the talent to make this a contest, it's just a matter of everything coming together. Unfortunately Dale Mitchell like you seem to hint at, just isn't the guy for the job and I can't wait to see the back of him. In spite of him I still think Canada has a chance for at least a draw tonight but it'll take a great performance and a lot more heart and discipline than we saw on the weekend.

I know everyone loves to herald the Brazil friendly... but there's two important points to remember. First, to Brazil, it was a friendly against a soccer minnow. They experimented a lot, and the top players that did play showed their disinterest... and they still won. Second, Brazil is currently in decline. They're dropping games that they shouldn't, and generally don't look sharp. Canada did play well though, probably as good as could be expected.

I really don't see catching lightning in a bottle against Mexico, especially since this is an important game for them too. Especially with a glorified Sunday league coach like Mitchell.

Should be fun to watch though.

[Table 5]

So, is it time we pool our money and hire Guus Hiddink?

I still think this team performed best when we went out and hired an experienced foreign coach in Holger Osieck. That was the last real glimmer of hope this team has had. We just need to give this whole damn organization to somebody that knows what they are doing. Give them the keys and let them do whatever they want.

[cheevers]

Wow the mexico game has been an embarassment, i dont know if we have a shot yet. And Stalteri (sp?) shouldnt even be on the bench. The guy is absolute garbage, can not mark to save his life. The fact he cant even get a game for tottenham shows how terrible he is.

[sadora]

2 - 1 now, Canada gets one with time still to get the tie. Honduras and Jamaica have tied so if Canada can get a point then they will be in with a chance in the standings.

[chris_yk]

I agree Stalteri has been playing like crap this whole round, pathetic marking on the 2nd goal. Only real bright spots for me were Hutchison and mostly Hirschfeld, showed why he should be our #1 keeper no matter what his club playing situation. I hope I don't have to see Onstad or Sutton in a Canada jersey again barring injury to Lars.
Anyways Honduras beat Jamaica so that puts us in an even tougher spot. We need to win all 3 games, which is possible but will be difficult, and we need Honduras to drop points (against us obviously and hopefully Mexico at least). I really hope we have a new coach by the time the next games come along but I'm not holding my breath with the CSA.

[KTown]

The only chance we have of beating Mexico at home is if it snows on Oct. 15th in Edmonton.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by KTown

The only chance we have of beating Mexico at home is if it snows on Oct. 15th in Edmonton.

Canada is toast, but I'd still like to go up for that game. Who is with me?

[chris_yk]

Originally Posted by troutman

Canada is toast, but I'd still like to go up for that game. Who is with me?

I'll definitely be there, already got tickets for me and 3 friends. Should be a good time.

[Locke]

I thought I'd throw this up. CSA sent me this email today:

The FIFA World Cup Qualifiers are returning to Edmonton.



A Sea of red is coming this October. Fans, get ready, as the Road to South Africa
leads right through Edmonton. Show the Canadian team your support by making
Commonwealth Stadium a Sea of Red. Canada vs Mexico, Wednesday, October 15th at
Commonwealth Stadium. Tickets available by clicking Ticketmaster.ca
(http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/1100410BCEB9ACA8) , or by calling 780.447.6822."




The Canada-Mexico match, presented by BMO, kicks off at 19.00 MT on 15 October.
Tickets range in price from $20-$45. Group packages are available with the purchase
of 15 or more tickets.



Players of note on the Canadian team are three-time Canadian Player of the Year
Dwayne De Rosario, La Liga sensation Julian de Guzman, and captain Paul Stalteri.
The team is coached by Dale Mitchell, a former player and the national team's
all-time leading goal scorer.



CONCACAF Stage III of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South
Africa Qualifiers features 12 teams divided into three
groups. Canada was trumped into Group 2 with opponents Mexico, Jamaica and Honduras.
All four teams play each other twice with only the top-two teams advancing to the
CONCACAF final stage to be played in 2009.



Tickets: Ticketmaster.ca (http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/1100410BCEB9ACA8) |
780.447.6822

[troutman]

^^^

More like a sea of green. Cinco de Mayo on October 15th.

[CrusaderPi]

Perhaps by sea of red they mean the faded orange of 50 000 empty seats at Commonwealth Stadium.

[chris_yk]

Hopefully BMO doesn't hand out free Green thundersticks at Commonwealth like the Blue ones they gave out in Montreal for the Honduras game.. effin brutal

[GirlySports]

Bye Bye Canada.

eliminated after a 3-1 defeat in Honduras.

When I started this thread I was excited at the talent of the Canadian team.

• (GK) Lars HIRSCHFELD 1
• Mike KLUKOWSKI 3
• Andrew HAINAULT 4
• Kevin MC KENNA 5
• (C) Paul STALTERI 7
• Patrice BERNIER 8
• Tomasz RADZINSKI 9
• Ali GERBA 10
• Marcel DE JONG 12
• Atiba HUTCHINSON 13
• Kevin HARMSE 15

I'm not sure this lineup could beat anyone.

Another cycle ends.