The Canadian Men's Soccer Team Thread

[M*A*S*H 4077]

That is so unfair to Kennedy. Brutal

[The Big Chill]

So unlucky there…

[Party Elephant]

Penalties it is

[Party Elephant]

Lol Turner

[Party Elephant]

0-0 after 1 round ok boys hold your nerve

[The Big Chill]

Tough way to lose.

[Party Elephant]

nooooooo

[Party Elephant]

Damn, we'll file that in the thick folder of "almost-slayed-the-giant" games over the years.

Probably won't see another MNT game for a good long while with the current state of the CSA.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

That’s a real tough way to lose. Proud they finally showed some proper fight as a group

St Clair went the correct way on all 3 of their scored penalties but just wasn’t meant to be. And our guys looked like guys who don’t take penalties often

Darn. Shaffelburg’s goal is one of the best we’ve seen from anyone in a Canada shirt. It deserved a better result

[Slava]

Honestly, when Shaffelburg came on, I wasn't thrilled. In the game last week he came in as a sub and looked brutal. Shows what I know!

Losing on penalties after scoring and just needing to shut things down for 10 minutes is tough. At least a few guys would've been out for the semi-finals though, so who knows how that would've gone.

[browna]

A tough one for sure...I'm fine if we used our mojo against the US to make the 22 WC but losses like this still sting.

Next meaniful games are the Copa America next summer. A lot to sort out between now and then internally with the CSA, the CSB, and, this roster.
Hopefully the last time we see Cavallini in a national shirt. Another yellow card and just stale, useless work from him. As soon as he got off they seemed to play a little bit more dynamically.

Hopefully also the internal issues are sorted out enough to get a couple quality friendly's between now and CA. 4 or 5 actually but let's settle for a couple with a full squad from Europe.

[AndyM]

Any chance this moves St Clair up the order?

[Party Elephant]

Originally Posted by AndyM

Any chance this moves St Clair up the order?

You'd have to think so, but as long as Borjan has a pulse then Herdman will keep calling him.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Party Elephant

You'd have to think so, but as long as Borjan has a pulse then Herdman will keep calling him.

Taking a page out of Darryls book eh.

[Bill Bumface]

That one hurt so bad. Almost an all time classic game. As soon as it went to kicks, it's just a feeling of dread.

St. Clair was awesome, great to see that guy waiting in line.

Jacob Shaffelburg continues to confuse the crap out of me. Just as with his time at TFC, moments of utter brilliance, just a bit too few and far in between. If he can find some consistency, surely he can be playing at a higher level?

Richie Laryea is the best. Just seems like an utter dink out there, and brings full intensity all the time. He seems like a mini MJ out there "and I took that personally".

The back line continues to be the weak point of the team. Every ball into the box is terrifying.

Are we near the end of Junior Holiett? He's been great at stepping up whenever we've had injuries or absences, and makes us a more dangerous team. I'll always have a soft spot for him, as although it took him a damn long time, he was one of the first dual nationals to commit when the team still sucked, and things started to turn around after that point.

Overall, I thought they'd get embarrassed last night the way both teams have been trending. That was a positive performance despite the heartbreak.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

In my opinion Liam Millar, Ali Ahmed and Shaffelburg have done enough to become mainstays in the A group. Shaff is all effort and not a bad guy to bring off the bench when you’re chasing a game or the game is a little lifeless. A lot like how Nashville uses him.

Time for guys like Oso, Cavallini (although if we don’t find more strikers he’ll be around), Borjan, and Vitoria to be phased out. I really like Laryea but I would be tell him he’s got to be playing somewhere other than TFC or he won’t be called up. I think his loan is ended/ending real soon though so hopefully he will get some play time in Europe.

Most importantly to me I think Canada needs to settle on a formation so tactically they can become stronger. And figure out what position you want Davies to play in so he knows what his role is beyond being “the guy”. Then the guys around him can figure out how to better play with him. Playing him everywhere hasn’t seemed to help him dominate games the way he can. He’s a beast for Bayern because he has a clearly defined role and his teammates can cover for him when he pushes up. Settle in a formation and figure out what you have and the type of players you need to look for.

And pray to whatever higher power you believe in that Ugbo scores in bunches for Cardiff and gets back into the mix and that somehow we find two or three new CBs. I’m not sold on any of this CB group being able to elevate when the stakes get higher although Miller did finally look better last night. I think McGraw has a future with the group as the big physical guy as that is something Canada is desperately needing.

My future lineup:

Davies - David - Hoilett/Buchanan

Koné - X - Eustaquio

Adekugbe- X - X - Johnston

St Clair

X’s need to find the guy if we are going to continue to grow and compete as a nation.

[Bill Bumface]

^ Hoilett is 33 now, not sure realistically if he'll be around for the next WC.

[Party Elephant]

I'd like for Crepeau, St. Clair and Sirois to be the keepers going forward.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

That one hurt so bad. Almost an all time classic game. As soon as it went to kicks, it's just a feeling of dread.

St. Clair was awesome, great to see that guy waiting in line.

Jacob Shaffelburg continues to confuse the crap out of me. Just as with his time at TFC, moments of utter brilliance, just a bit too few and far in between. If he can find some consistency, surely he can be playing at a higher level?

Richie Laryea is the best. Just seems like an utter dink out there, and brings full intensity all the time. He seems like a mini MJ out there "and I took that personally".

The back line continues to be the weak point of the team. Every ball into the box is terrifying.

Are we near the end of Junior Holiett? He's been great at stepping up whenever we've had injuries or absences, and makes us a more dangerous team. I'll always have a soft spot for him, as although it took him a damn long time, he was one of the first dual nationals to commit when the team still sucked, and things started to turn around after that point.

Overall, I thought they'd get embarrassed last night the way both teams have been trending. That was a positive performance despite the heartbreak.

I wish I watched. I too thought they would get embarrassed, so I had friends over instead. My phone kept buzzing for notifications and I thought they won it at one point.

I love how scrappy Laryea is. Love that attitude.

Own goal in the 114' though - how Canadian of Kennedy.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I wish I watched. I too thought they would get embarrassed, so I had friends over instead. My phone kept buzzing for notifications and I thought they won it at one point.

I love how scrappy Laryea is. Love that attitude.

Own goal in the 114' though - how Canadian of Kennedy.

Well there wasn't anything he could do about that. It was just unlucky, although there were a few times they were not particularly convincing in their own end. Basically, St. Clair made a good save, and the rebound was right at Kennedy and bounced off him into the net.