Official World Cup 2014 Qualifying Thread (Blame It On RIO)

[Locke]

Italy got a rough draw too. The rest seems fairly straightforward.

A healthy Yossi Benayoun could make life difficult in Group F. I still miss him in Red.

[Kipper is King]

I'm so stoked for Canada! They could actually be alright!

[Locke]

Canada is in good shape here, thats a sweetheart draw.

Also, about the US, the Klinsmann appointment was a great move. I have a ton of respect for him and he is one of the greats, he will definitely move that team forward.

I firmly believe that until we get our systems of development both for players and coaches together in North America that hiring European managers is an absolute must. These guys know how it has to be done and can influence the system in the right directions if given enough authority.

Hell, if the CSA found a magic lamp that granted them one wish it should be to have Guus Hiddink manage the team. I'd be willing to bet money he could get Canada to the World Cup and actually have some success. And even if he didnt, the system he'd leave behind in terms of development would launch Canada ahead far more than what we've got going on now.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Locke

I firmly believe that until we get our systems of development both for players and coaches together in North America that hiring European managers is an absolute must. These guys know how it has to be done and can influence the system in the right directions if given enough authority.

I'm starting to wonder if a managerial position is really the right place for them to occupy. It might not be the best place in terms of both authority and, central, placement. In regards to the former, look at Morace. She had loads of excellent ideas but could barely get her way with the women on her squad far less the rest of the female players across the country. However, I think more people in the USSF have their heads screwed on properly and store enough knowledge up there as well.

[GirlySports]

Schedule is out

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/stor...up-canada.html

Sept. 2 vs. St. Lucia Toronto
Sept. 6 AT Puerto Rico Puerto Rico
Oct. 7 vs Puerto Rico Toronto
Oct. 11 AT St. Lucia St. Lucia
Nov. 11 AT St. Kitts and Nevis St. Kitts and Nevis
Nov. 15 vs St. Kitts and Nevis Toronto

[VANFLAMESFAN]

What happened to the day where some qualifiers would come out West to Edmonton or Vancouver?? I remember going to plenty of qualifiers at Swanguard back in the day. With BC Place all but done and set for Whitecaps in a couple months, why not a qualifier in November?? Is it a closed roof issue(assuming the weather is crap) or is this a players don't want to travel all the way west issue?? I'm going with the latter, but can't be certain.

Anyone shed some light on why Toronto seems to be the only place for qualifiers these days?

[valo403]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

What happened to the day where some qualifiers would come out West to Edmonton or Vancouver?? I remember going to plenty of qualifiers at Swanguard back in the day. With BC Place all but done and set for Whitecaps in a couple months, why not a qualifier in November?? Is it a closed roof issue(assuming the weather is crap) or is this a players don't want to travel all the way west issue?? I'm going with the latter, but can't be certain.

Anyone shed some light on why Toronto seems to be the only place for qualifiers these days?

I would imagine it's likely the latter, and I don't really blame them. A flight from Europe to Toronto is fairly easy, that additional travel time to the west coast really turns it into a nightmare. Living on the east coast now it's incredible how good I feel getting off a flight from Europe relative to flights back to Calgary.

There could also be an element of attempting to build a true home stadium for the national team, as opposed to the rotation policy.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by valo403

I would imagine it's likely the latter, and I don't really blame them. A flight from Europe to Toronto is fairly easy, that additional travel time to the west coast really turns it into a nightmare. Living on the east coast now it's incredible how good I feel getting off a flight from Europe relative to flights back to Calgary.

There could also be an element of attempting to build a true home stadium for the national team, as opposed to the rotation policy.

That sounds like something GirlySports would support. Put the opposition at a disadvantage.

[GirlySports]

Whitehorse

Let's see how those St. Kitts and Nevians handle November.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

What happened to the day where some qualifiers would come out West to Edmonton or Vancouver?? I remember going to plenty of qualifiers at Swanguard back in the day. With BC Place all but done and set for Whitecaps in a couple months, why not a qualifier in November?? Is it a closed roof issue(assuming the weather is crap) or is this a players don't want to travel all the way west issue?? I'm going with the latter, but can't be certain.

Anyone shed some light on why Toronto seems to be the only place for qualifiers these days?

It's the soccer specific stadiums with natural grass - Montreal will get games when Saputo is done renos. They've all but come out and said that all the qualifiers will be out east on natural grass so unless there is a miracle and that waterfront stadium digs it's way out of the grave all the nimbies in Vancouver buried it in I wouldn't be surprised if we don't even see one game out west this cycle since Commonwealth has astroturf or whatever now too.

The travel valo mentioned also doesn't hurt as the senior national players always pull for eastern games in the media and with the CSA exec.

I was thinking that an all-inclusive week in Cuba would be a fun way to see a game in round two, but St. Lucia in round one would be pretty decent too and a guaranteed beating.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Didn't BMO Field have field turf for a few years and they held qualifiers?

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Locke

That sounds like something GirlySports would support. Put the opposition at a disadvantage.

Not really much of a disadvantage when both teams are on the same flights.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Didn't BMO Field have field turf for a few years and they held qualifiers?

Yep - but back then the only stadium in Canada with natural grass and over 15,000 capacity was Commonwealth. Now that there are 2 stadiums with 20,000+ and natural grass in Montreal and Toronto they will get the vast majority of the games for a long time I think. Not only is there natural grass, pleasing the players and making call ups easier, but being in the biggest population centres in Canada makes the CSA turning a profit much more likely.

Vancouver would get the games if they had a proper soccer stadium with a grass pitch and I still think they might get thrown a bone here and there with how well the Caps are drawing. Would make me pretty happy to be able to go down to a game that easily.

[Ozy_Flame]

Japan / North Korea in the same group could get interesting. Politics will be at play for the winner of that match I'm sure.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

What happened to the day where some qualifiers would come out West to Edmonton or Vancouver?? I remember going to plenty of qualifiers at Swanguard back in the day. With BC Place all but done and set for Whitecaps in a couple months, why not a qualifier in November?? Is it a closed roof issue(assuming the weather is crap) or is this a players don't want to travel all the way west issue?? I'm going with the latter, but can't be certain.

Anyone shed some light on why Toronto seems to be the only place for qualifiers these days?

As mentioned earlier, it's due to the pitch. Players don't want to play on FieldTurf. As well, a third of the population is within a 2 hour drive, although I'm sure Vancouver and Edmonton would both draw well.

Personally I would've loved to see Moncton get one, as they may have been able to take advantage of the temporary seating for CFL games.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Locke

Canada is in good shape here, thats a sweetheart draw.

Yup, no excuse not to get out of round 1, and given the opponents and their world rankings in round 2, that should be fairly attainable. Get to round 3 as an underdog, get a couple away draws, an upset or two at home, and who knows. I actually think that if they get through the two rounds, the confidence gained will get them into top 4 (or gasp 3) spots in that last group. I would actually say 60/40 they make it to the WC if they get to the final stage, however I also think getting to that final stage is at best a 40/60 proposition.

I firmly believe that until we get our systems of development both for players and coaches together in North America that hiring European managers is an absolute must. These guys know how it has to be done and can influence the system in the right directions if given enough authority.

Hell, if the CSA found a magic lamp that granted them one wish it should be to have Guus Hiddink manage the team. I'd be willing to bet money he could get Canada to the World Cup and actually have some success. And even if he didnt, the system he'd leave behind in terms of development would launch Canada ahead far more than what we've got going on now.

Chicken and the egg. The "name" Euro managers want nothing to do with Canada as an outpost, and I am sure they know all about the petty games the CSA played which didn't help, especially the way they handled Osiack back in the day. Just too uphill a battle to get a proper development program off the ground, setup and running, with little reward and very little recognition and pretty much out across the ocean on your own in the interim if the team doesn't go anywhere internationally.

I am sure even the CSA would've asked Klinsmann while he was consulting for TFC last offseason but no way no how unless its fairly clear they're going to go somewhere and quick, will a recognizable experieced top flight Euro manager agree to take over Canada's team. Make the WC and do like other teams have done...sack the coach at that point and bring in a name for the WC journey.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Figured a new thread about this would be useless considering the tourney is almost done.

Anyone paying attention to the Under 20 World Cup in Colombia? The last quater final was completed today and it was an epic match between Brazil and Spain. Brazil won on kicks, but the score was 2-2, including 2 quick goals in the first half of extra time that really added to the drama. Pretty good stuff.

The Semis look like this

Portugal v France
Brazil v Mexico

Portugal have played 5 games, scored 3 goals and are in the semis. Unreal stat line. They haven't conceded either and have been pretty unimpressive in their wins, but at this point, as a Portugal supporter, I could care less. Just get it done. I like a couple of their guys. Keep an eye on Caetano, he's about 5ft 5in, 130 pounds soaking wet and has the face of a 12 year old, but man, he's fun to watch. He's become a crowd favorite.


Semis are on Wednesday at 3pm and 6pm Pacific time and you can find the games on Setanta and TLN in Canada.

Check it out, some of the soccer has been very good and entertaining. Some.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Guess no one is really paying attention to it.

Portugal haters will be happy to know that Portugal IS GOING TO THE FINAL!!

Portugal scored 2 first half goals and did their best Greece 2004 impression and sat on it and won 2-0.

Portugal has yet to concede a goal in 6 games.

Portugal's diving and time wasting was pretty disgusting in the second half. Even I was getting frustrated by it and i tend to defend anything they do.

Portugal to play winner of Brazil-Mexico(scoreless in 2nd half in a brutal match) on Saturday in Bogota.

If Portugal were to win, it would be their third title at this prestigious youth tournament.

[GirlySports]

yeah this Brazil-Mexico match has been awful. Neither team has had a sniff of a goal. They're both playing 3-7 formations!

3 guys get the ball, run into 7 guys and lose it... repeat for 120 minutes.

I want to see Brazil miss 4 penalties in the shootout again

[GirlySports]

hey! Brazil scored! the 7 Mexican defenders caught ball watching as the one Brazillian striker met the cross.