The Canadian Men's Soccer Team Thread

[Matty81]

Without Esta and Davies I think you may as well write off the first game, those are 2/3 of their game changers. I don't see a scenario where they do anything better than luck into a point without those two.

Hopefully just gamesmanship but if not and they are truly injured I think you may as well rest anyone who is injured completely/keep them in reserve in case there is a shock in the making late and park the bus tactically

Disappointing to be leading into the day of days for Canadian soccer with such critical injuries, but am starting to get amped for the games, Infantino's cringy idiocy and complete lack of self awareness notwithstanding

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I feel like a lot of Canadians are sleeping on Morocco. They are 22 places higher than Canada they are not pushovers. Almost all their players are playing top flight in Europe.

Canada needs to give 100% in all three matches, and not “rest” players vs Belgium and concede a loss before the tournament begins.

Absolutely. Most likely, they only have 3 games - go balls to the wall for all 3 and see what happens. No downside whatsoever.

[browna]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I feel like a lot of Canadians are sleeping on Morocco. They are 22 places higher than Canada they are not pushovers. Almost all their players are playing top flight in Europe.

Canada needs to give 100% in all three matches, and not “rest” players vs Belgium and concede a loss before the tournament begins.

Not sleeping on them, though they are the likely most beatable team of the 3.

The rest for the players is for injury recovery of our important players. If Davies and Estaquio are only going to be 60% for Wed. and at risk of further injury and missing the two next games because they are only at 60%, but they can be 90% for Sunday and beyond if they miss Wed., you play those odds when playing the #2 team in the world Wed.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by browna

Not sleeping on them, though they are the likely most beatable team of the 3.

The rest for the players is for injury recovery of our important players. If Davies and Estaquio are only going to be 60% for Wed. and at risk of further injury and missing the two next games because they are only at 60%, but they can be 90% for Sunday and beyond if they miss Wed., you play those odds when playing the #2 team in the world Wed.

Yes, but rarely are injures neat little mathematical problems like your example.

Belgium might be underestimating us and already looking to their Croatia match. Canada will be full of piss and vinegar raring to go and you might nick a point off of them. Or maybe you get a lucky penalty and snag all three.

Maybe the tables turn and Canada plays like #### vs Morocco, then you REALLY wish you put in your best horses vs Belgium.

In a short tournament like this, there is no holding back. You can’t play the odds. Balls to the wall 100% of the time and hope to catch a team sleeping or favourable calls. If Eustaquio and Davies can go, they go.

[browna]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Yes, but rarely are injures neat little mathematical problems like your example.

Belgium might be underestimating us and already looking to their Croatia match. Canada will be full of piss and vinegar raring to go and you might nick a point off of them. Or maybe you get a lucky penalty and snag all three.

Maybe the tables turn and Canada plays like #### vs Morocco, then you REALLY wish you put in your best horses vs Belgium.

In a short tournament like this, there is no holding back. You can’t play the odds. Balls to the wall 100% of the time and hope to catch a team sleeping or favourable calls. If Eustaquio and Davies can go, they go.

Don’t know about “neat mathematical” examples. Davies for sure, given the nature of his injury, and recency of it, would do better with extra rest, even 4 days, I don’t think that’s really a question.

If he tweaks something because he isn’t near where he should be, when already down 2-0 in the 40th minute vs BEL, and back to square one and he’s out for Croatia and questionable for Morocco, it’s a disaster when you’re playing the top 2 team in the world.

I know what you’re getting at, anything can happen at anytime. Anything can happen even if Davies and Estaquio aren’t on the pitch. Sure, if he’s close to 100%, or even 80%, go for it, but I don’t get the impression either of them are truly near that level yet, hopefully by noon Wed. they are.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1594257988453388288

[browna]

Fascinating deep dive into John Herdman by Bruce Arthur.

https://www.thestar.com/sports/world...p-journey.html

[CroFlames]

Predict the first Canada Goal.

My prediction is Jonathan David. The guy scores goals at will in France and for Canada. 22 in 35 appearances is Lukaku level goal scoring.

Expect big things from him if Eustaquio and Atiba can get him the ball.

[shermanator]

David scores goals, yes, but most of those goals have come against significantly worse opposition that what he'll be seeing at the World Cup. Outside of the goal against Costa Rica in Edmonton, most of his goals during the Ocho were insurance goals deep into the second half.

I'll go with Buchanan, against Morocco.

[CroFlames]

I love how Tajon looks angry even when he's happy.

[cSpooge]

Originally Posted by shermanator

David scores goals, yes, but most of those goals have come against significantly worse opposition that what he'll be seeing at the World Cup. Outside of the goal against Costa Rica in Edmonton, most of his goals during the Ocho were insurance goals deep into the second half.

I'll go with Buchanan, against Morocco.

Are you ignoring the fact that he scores for his club team as well? He has a good record of scoring goals against good opposition as well.

[shermanator]

David's club performance doesn't have much relevance to the argument IMO, outside of perhaps being on good form going into the tournament. What matters is how he plays against World Cup level opposition with the players he lines up with for Canada. To date, he's been pretty quiet.

When David was lighting up Ligue 1 at the start of last season he wasn't scoring against the US or Mexico, his lone goal against World Cup opposition came against Costa Rica when they looked like they would miss the tournament. Same story this year, he scores often for Lille, but against Uruguay and Japan he failed to score. Although you could argue against Japan he should have taken the penalty.

David doesn't really create chances on his own, he makes wonderful runs inside the box and relies on quality chance creation from midfield or out wide to capitalize. I'm not sure how much service he is going to get up top at this tournament. His chances will be few and far between.

Buchanan on the other hand can force the play and make good on a lone chance, as he showed at in the Gold Cup semifinal against Mexico. Almost selfish in that regard, similar to Davies.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Predict the first Canada Goal.

My prediction is Jonathan David. The guy scores goals at will in France and for Canada. 22 in 35 appearances is Lukaku level goal scoring.

Expect big things from him if Eustaquio and Atiba can get him the ball.

I want to agree with you and pick David, because I just think he's a predator!

So, with my pick I'll go off the board and pick Kone. I think he's the real deal and I think that people will take notice of how good he is at this World Cup.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by shermanator

David's club performance doesn't have much relevance to the argument IMO, outside of perhaps being on good form going into the tournament. What matters is how he plays against World Cup level opposition with the players he lines up with for Canada. To date, he's been pretty quiet.

When David was lighting up Ligue 1 at the start of last season he wasn't scoring against the US or Mexico, his lone goal against World Cup opposition came against Costa Rica when they looked like they would miss the tournament. Same story this year, he scores often for Lille, but against Uruguay and Japan he failed to score. Although you could argue against Japan he should have taken the penalty.

David doesn't really create chances on his own, he makes wonderful runs inside the box and relies on quality chance creation from midfield or out wide to capitalize. I'm not sure how much service he is going to get up top at this tournament. His chances will be few and far between.

Buchanan on the other hand can force the play and make good on a lone chance, as he showed at in the Gold Cup semifinal against Mexico. Almost selfish in that regard, similar to Davies.

You aren't wrong but seems kinda like you are trying to explain away his goals.

He's got a nose for the net. He's a natural goal scorer. He's not Lewandowski, but he's got that instinct that you can't teach.

[shermanator]

David has great instinct, yes, I just don't think he's going to get much of anything in the way of chances this tournament. For reasons that are largely outside of what he does on the pitch.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by shermanator

David has great instinct, yes, I just don't think he's going to get much of anything in the way of chances this tournament. For reasons that are largely outside of what he does on the pitch.

Oh I agree, and said as much in my OP. If the midfield can get him the ball, I predict he'll be our goal scorer.

But he's certainly not running away with the golden boot as I don't think our midfield will be giving him much service.

[shermanator]

I'd bet that Larin gets a goal before David in this tournament. His club form is terrible right now, but he has a history of scoring clutch goals for Canada. Not that I think Larin will be scoring either.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by shermanator

I'd bet that Larin gets a goal before David in this tournament. His club form is terrible right now, but he has a history of scoring clutch goals for Canada. Not that I think Larin will be scoring either.

He does. I almost picked him for the first Canada goal because he does just find a way.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Predict the first Canada Goal.

Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, 2026.

[browna]

Because he deserves to be nowhere near this team, it will be Cavallini with the 1-4 goal in garbage time on Wed.