U23 Olympic Soccer Qualifiers

[sadora]

Originally Posted by ratech

Why is it U23 for Olympics? So this is a different team than our regular national team?

Because FIFA wants to protect their biggest product...The World Cup. That's were professional footballers get to showcase. Also, with the EURO CUP being played this summer professional interest goes to that tournament. Each country is allowed to augment their team with 3 players over 23 for the actual Olympic Tournament though.

[Jimmy Stang]

nm - sadora beat me to it.

[TopChed]

I'm sure there are a lot of reasons for it to not be another full on national tourney. The European nations already have to play Euro 2012 which obviously takes priority, so I'm sure their players wouldn't be thrilled with playing two major international competitions in one off season.

I've never paid any attention to Olympic soccer before, but I'm still hoping Canada gets there. The u23 team actually seems to have some promise, and it's nice seeing some skill from the players representing Canada. But the really weird thing to me is that they qualify as a team full of u23 players, and then for the Olympics they're allowed to bring in 3 over-age players.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by TopChed

I'm sure there are a lot of reasons for it to not be another full on national tourney. The European nations already have to play Euro 2012 which obviously takes priority, so I'm sure their players wouldn't be thrilled with playing two major international competitions in one off season.

I've never paid any attention to Olympic soccer before, but I'm still hoping Canada gets there. The u23 team actually seems to have some promise, and it's nice seeing some skill from the players representing Canada. But the really weird thing to me is that they qualify as a team full of u23 players, and then for the Olympics they're allowed to bring in 3 over-age players.

The overaged players is to add some star quality to the event and sell some tickets. When the tournament is in places like Athens and Beijing, a pure U23 tournament would play to half empty stadiums.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by ratech

Why is it U23 for Olympics? So this is a different team than our regular national team?

Not to mention that the entire premise of the Olympics revolves around amateur athletes with a few exceptions (see: Hockey) and the exceptions, which is the star players, are the draw.

[TopChed]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

The overaged players is to add some star quality to the event and sell some tickets. When the tournament is in places like Athens and Beijing, a pure U23 tournament would play to half empty stadiums.

Very true. It just seems a little harsh to me that they don't increase the squad size by 3 to accomodate the extra players (as far as I know). So you end up having three players who busted their ass to qualify, and then they get dropped for the actual tourney to let the over-age guys in.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Locke

Not to mention that the entire premise of the Olympics revolves around amateur athletes with a few exceptions (see: Hockey) and the exceptions, which is the star players, are the draw.

The premise of amateurism is long gone for virtually every sport. Skiers, figure skaters, gymnasts and many other sports are filled with athletes that earn a considerable living based on their sports. Hockey just fits the mold of what we think of as professional in a much cleaner fashion.

[d_phaneuf]

This olympic tournament might be the most top heavy in history

UK, Spain, Brazil, Argentina have all said they will send their strongest teams possible because of it being in London

[GirlySports]

I can't see Argentina doing that since they didn't qualify.

Brazil is determined to win. It's the only competition they've never won.

[d_phaneuf]

that's really going to hinder them but I think they can overcome it lol

I misread something, was reading up on it the other day after these qualifiers started and for some reason I thought i saw something about them, weird

[GirlySports]

They were beaten by Uruguay.

Here's a fun fact. Uruguay have never lost a game at the Olympics. 10-0. Champions in 1924 and 1928 which was really the World Championship before there was a World Cup (which they got to host in 1930).

They've haven't been back to the Olympics in 84 years!!!!! until now!

[Jimmy Stang]

So Mexico scraped past Panama 1-0, and Honduras beat T&T 2-0. As expected, that means that it'll be Canada vs. Mexico and El Salvador vs. Honduras on Saturday. 4:00pm and 7:00pm kickoffs respectively.

Edit: The Canada vs. Mexico match is the 7:00pm kickoff apparently. Sorry for the misinformation.

[Bill Bumface]

At least we are the early match for Flames game watching purposes. Saturday will be a good day!

[Ozy_Flame]

Mexico only beat Panama 1-0? That is relatively good news for Canadian fans.

I would actually be more fearful of playing Honduras. Canadians are just as poor against them anyways, if not worse than Mexico.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

At least we are the early match for Flames game watching purposes. Saturday will be a good day!

I stand corrected - it appears that Canada vs. Mexico is the 7:00pm start. So there will undoubtedly be some PVR-ing and/or switching back and forth for this one. Sorry for the mix-up.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Mexico only beat Panama 1-0? That is relatively good news for Canadian fans.

I would actually be more fearful of playing Honduras. Canadians are just as poor against them anyways, if not worse than Mexico.

Mexico played their B team yesterday since they had already clinched 1st place.

[Stay Golden]

Best case the Mexican's approach this match way over confident like the Americans did. Looking forward to Saturday.

[Matty81]

Too bad... that last minute goal against Cuba really burnt them, Mexico's team is pretty amazing, I think Canada is going to get beat easily.

That said Canada will for sure stick everyone behind the ball and counter and if they can frustrate them for 30 or so and get into their heads a little maybe they can hope. This generation needs it's own version of Richard Hastings blazing down the field and blasting one roof against the Mexicans. Little redux for anybody too young to have seen it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOLRnsZAT6w

[sadora]

Originally Posted by Matty81

Too bad... that last minute goal against Cuba really burnt them, Mexico's team is pretty amazing, I think Canada is going to get beat easily.

That said Canada will for sure stick everyone behind the ball and counter and if they can frustrate them for 30 or so and get into their heads a little maybe they can hope. This generation needs it's own version of Richard Hastings blazing down the field and blasting one roof against the Mexicans. Little redux for anybody too young to have seen it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOLRnsZAT6w

I remember that moment, it was pretty amazing to see it again, especially since it led to Canada going on to win the Gold Cup after that.

[SebC]

Steve Nash's brother!