With meaningful international men's hockey basically dead, it would be really fun to see this team make a bit of a run. I feel like a generation of Canadians is missing out on the experience of the country shutting down to cheer on a national team.
For those of you who followed my predictions throughout qualifying, you'll know that I haven't missed one yet.
This is an unbelievable mismatch and the only thing that will stop Belgium from running the score up higher is that they'll want to save themselves for future matches in the tournament. Canada will be lucky to have 40% possession, and from what I've seen throughout qualifying, they've never shown that they can deal with a situation that calls for defending in numbers. In fact, I think that's been the key to the success, this all out attacking style that is great to watch. I think it is likely Belgium pick off Canada's slow central defenders with a few high balls into space on the counter.
Yup, thanks to a great coach who brought the best out of this country’s skilled players and made them believe, and thanks to Covid for shutting down the previously qualifying setup, we’re here and earned it.
36 years, 5 months and 21 days ago I remember watching Canada France at my grandparents in a Sunday afternoon as a 10 year old. Like many at that age who played soccer you don’t know any better and you just assume that a country Canada should be there regularly.
Through the rest of my pretty cool soccer career, nevermind 3 lifetimes later, never once after that tournament did I or anyone who played soccer in this country, get to have a team to look up to in representing the country on the world stage, closest being the heartbreak of 1994. Instead, we had to watch the tournament every 4 years with envy and a bit of emptiness that Canada couldn’t be party of the spectacle.
Players on the MNT over the years have represented Canada well, putting up with all sorts of crap and malaise, but tried their hardest over the years, but the support, resources and belief was just not there in this country by those who mattered. Herdman and his men have over come those same challenges and given this country and sport in this country a monumental 2022 gift that can’t be overstated.
Future World Cups with expanded formats won’t have the same mystique, at least qualifying for them, so hopefully it’s onwards and upwards with soccer at all levels in this country and the dark cloud that has prevented this country from properly being on the world stage regularly, is lifting.
As cliched as it is, for soccer playing and soccer fans who are Canadian that are over 40 that were around and remember 1986, tomorrow will be extra special to be in that moment, no matter the result.
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Enjoy this, everyone! To occupy our nervy minds, what are everyone's viewing plans? Being a weekday at noon, the answers should vary wildly.
I have to host a webinar from 10-12, so the timing isn't too bad. I will then move through one door from my office into my basement TV room and park myself for the next two hours. The afternoon has been booked off. The kid is in school. My wife is at work. Glorious "me" time!
I took a vacation day and will watch all the matches today.
Time to indoctrinate the next generation.
I thought about it too but kind of wanted to watch it with people instead of alone. There are viewing areas/lounges in buildings downtown that hopefully will celebrate a Canadian victory.
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Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
Grew up cheering for my mom's nation in Portugal, never imagining that i'd be able to cheer on my home country in a World Cup. Can't believe this day is here
