The Canadian Men's Soccer Team Thread

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by shermanator

I don't have insight into how much directly funnelled to the national team, but from the CSB's statement:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1533602123996221440

CPL clubs have operating expenses of about $4 million a year. (Source: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/cpl...nces-1.5941457) We're in year 4 and there are 8 teams, so the non pandemic years puts us at $92 million there. Plus startup costs, infrastructure costs, etc. I've been told Cavalry have put over $10 million into their stadium.

So this seed money came from Soccer Canada, but diverted through their business arm. Surely, it was going to be re-invested into the CPL regardless.

Such an ambiguous sum, would be wild to get an audit in there.

[Ducay]

Lose lose situation where both sides are being dinks. Everyone loses, but especially the fans and the game in Canada.

Canada gonna Canada. After all this drama for an eventual group round exit in Qatar is going to be hilarious.

[PeteMoss]

I'm sure it sucks in the moment - but the odds anyone even remembers Canada didn't play this friendly in 6 months or that it costs them fans are extremely slim.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Lose lose situation where both sides are being dinks. Everyone loses, but especially the fans and the game in Canada.

Canada gonna Canada. After all this drama for an eventual group round exit in Qatar is going to be hilarious.

Why is losing in the group stage hilarious?

[shermanator]

Just listened to a really good podcast about the entire situation with a couple folks who've worked on the media side of the game (Brendan Dunlop and James Sharman) and a couple former national team players who've been in the same situation as the current national teams (Craig Forrest and Jim Brennan). Worth a listen...

https://www.thestar.com/podcasts/foo...iendly.html?rf

[Weitz]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1534958562660581376

[MegaErtz]

Only two cities? I believe there will be sixteen groups of three, with the top two advancing to a 32 team knockout round. That means 80 total matches, so I'm disappointed Canada will only have two host cities. I was really looking forward to a match in Edmonton.

[shermanator]

The UCP made some pretty crazy demands of FIFA so FIFA just went where those demands weren't there. Thanks for ####ing that up too Kenney...

[browna]

Originally Posted by shermanator

The UCP made some pretty crazy demands of FIFA so FIFA just went where those demands weren't there. Thanks for ####ing that up too Kenney...

Meh, the demands were tied to a $40M (I thought)investment in upgrading Commonwealth as part of giving City of Edmonton $110M (that’s for sure)So the return had to be there which meant extra matches etc.

I mean, for $40M in renos to host 5 or so games, I’m guessing you can significantly upgrade McMahon with that money just as much, and ok instead and use temp seating on the ends to get close to 50k people (I assume that’s what Toronto is doing) for those games. Edmonton they’d have to spend the money mostly on bringing at least one sideline in and deal with the other space, especially at the ends, that track and field configuration still takes up and keeps spectators well back of the field.

[shermanator]

[EldrickOnIce]

Canada breezes to a 4-0 win.
Watched most of it and they looked sharp, as expected given the opposition.

[shermanator]

Sounds weird to complain about a 4-0 win where Canada totally dominated the play but I just don't think they looked as sharp as they needed to. Honduras away will likely provide them with a better test.

At one point the PBP team crapped on the supporters saying they were flat which pissed me off. Don't know what they're expecting after two friendlies were cancelled...

[Eagle Eye]

It's nice that the CMNT doesn't have to grind out 1-0 wins or scoreless draws against less talented CONCACAF teams. Felt like they were in control for most of the game, maybe there was some rust and they probably could have scored a few more easily.

That looked like the starting XI for the World Cup barring any injuries or surprises, it was great to see them fully healthy (Davies) again.

[Muta]

This game against Honduras - man, that field is garbage. As someone who used to play, the way the water is stopping the ball on the field when a player is in full sprint has the potential to be dangerous.

[Ozy_Flame]

Canadians should have been up on these diving clowns 2-0 by now if it wasn't for the field conditions. I doubt the Hondurans even tried to squeegee it beforehand, they want the Canadians to slip and slide. Plays into their favor.

[shermanator]

One of the worst halves of football I've seen Canada play in a long time. The pitch is terrible, but they're losing their cool everywhere.

Phonzie slipping and slamming his fists into the field 3 minutes in set the tone. Vitoria, Laryea and Hoilett are having howlers. Buchanan and Davies look okay but are trying to play pretty football when the pitch doesn't suit it. Even Eustaquio's free kicks are sailing over the touchline rather than settling in the box.

I'd sub out Hoilett and Laryea for Cavallini and Adekugbe. Cavallini's played in Mexico so perhaps he has more experience in these conditions. Laryea hasn't played much in the last 8 months and it shows.

[shermanator]

Well, that international window went about as poorly as it could have.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by shermanator

Well, that international window went about as poorly as it could have.

How can you even take that game seriously tonight? Horrible conditions with a terrible ref.

[Jimmy Stang]

Well that was wet, soggy garbage.

[Trojan97]

On one hand it's probably unacceptable to ever lose to Honduras with this group of players. On the other hand, the field was a swamp and the ref was an unhinged loser. Overall - probably a fitting end to the window that was for Canada. Hopefully we reground and really start to ramp it up from here.