Official World Cup 2014 Qualifying Thread (Blame It On RIO)

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by valo403

I think De Vos's statement is asinine. This isn't love. This is a competitive sport at the highest level. I want the team that gives me the best opportunity to win.

I don't know if De Vos is just trying to stir up attention or if he's really that naive, but international soccer is still a part of the big business machine that the game has become, and committing to a team that has shown little reason to get excited about over a perennial power (even if you're an outsider there) isn't going to be the best business decision for a young player.

I think De Vos is a former captain who played for Canada since u17 days. So he inherently hates guys like this.

Hart, in a perfect world, should tell them to shove it. But he can't afford to when they get to the HEX and the pressure increases. Canada needs as much depth and as many players as possible to survive a 10 game round.

[polak]

Originally Posted by valo403

And what happens if they play before the Hex and Canada misses out? They've committed their international careers to a backwater program for the next 5 years.

While I would agree with this if we were talking about some one like Hargreaves, but it's not like either of these guys are racking up caps for any other country.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by shermanator

Not at all, but de Guzman and Hoillett had numerous opportunities to join the team and turned them down. I guess the following tweer from Jason de Vos sums up my feelings on the situation.

Jason deVos‏@jasondevos
If you ask a girl out and she repeatedly says no, then changes her mind when you win the lottery, do you think she really likes you?

"If she is hot enough, I don't care. "

[valo403]

Originally Posted by polak

While I would agree with this if we were talking about some one like Hargreaves, but it's not like either of these guys are racking up caps for any other country.

That doesn't change the fact that they would be committing their international careers to a country with no history of success. Not to mention the fact that doing so also entails a much larger commitment than most nations due to the travel involved, and that the CSA doesn't exactly have a great track record to put your faith into. Getting to the Hex and having a real shot at qualification could change a lot of that, it could be a real catalyst, so I don't blame a professional (and let's remember that word, these aren't amateurs playing for the love of the game) from delaying a decision that will have long lasting implications for their career.

[Stay Golden]

So it looks like Sportsnet has picked up a 1:30pm live start time for the Canada game. I heard rumors that it would be delayed. I'm definitely leaving work at lunch today. Not sure if they are doing a stream also.

[Stay Golden]

The setting for the game...

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2014-...up_qualifying/

[polak]

Please, No one PM me any good streaming websites for today.

[Mango]

Originally Posted by polak

I'm really not trying to be mean or troll or anything but it's funny how nervous you guys are for a game that is still pretty early in the process.

I'm a really emotional Canadian fan. It's kind of hard to describe in words. I have knots in my stomach about today.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Originally Posted by Mango

I'm a really emotional Canadian fan. It's kind of hard to describe in words. I have knots in my stomach about today.

Same here, I can't concentrate on anything

[troutman]

Do Hispanics call it "The Hex"?

[valo403]

Originally Posted by M*A*S*H 4077

Same here, I can't concentrate on anything

With general apathy towards Canadian soccer being the norm I didn't think guys like you and Mango existed, but it's awesome that you do. You're getting me pumped up. Now to find a way to watch.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by troutman

Do Hispanics call it "The Hex"?

Only if they're speaking english

[troutman]

Originally Posted by valo403

Only if they're speaking english

Hexagon in Spanish is Hexagon. El Hex?

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Originally Posted by valo403

With general apathy towards Canadian soccer being the norm I didn't think guys like you and Mango existed, but it's awesome that you do. You're getting me pumped up. Now to find a way to watch.

Working on it. Can't figure out how do get Flash 11.2 on my tablet. Can only seem to get 11.1 and it's not working

[valo403]

Ugh, the bar down the street from my apartment has the game listed on their schedule for today (along with basically any other game broadcast anywhere, I don't know how they do it but they're amazing) which would be great if I wasn't stuck in my office across town.

Let's hope the world wide web can help me out.

[Mango]

Sounds like Jazic is ill and won't play. Disappointing. I thought he was absolutely fantastic against Cuba last match.

[Locke]

Klose with 2 early goals, only 1 behind Gerd Muller now.

I wouldnt be surprised if he makes it tonight.

[d_phaneuf]

Poland have lots of injuries

Poland don't open the roof to save pitch from being turned in to a swimming pool

good stuff

[browna]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I think De Vos is a former captain who played for Canada since u17 days. So he inherently hates guys like this.

Hart, in a perfect world, should tell them to shove it. But he can't afford to when they get to the HEX and the pressure increases. Canada needs as much depth and as many players as possible to survive a 10 game round.

If Devos had captained his teams anywhere near a sniff of the final qualifying groups, there may not be an issue now, as more players may have committed to the team since then. Obviously not his fault entirely, but that is about as logical as his argument.

The CSA has dug their own grave over the past decade+ of turning off talented players with all their political BS, which has as much to do with things as (and is related to) the results on the field.

Fact is, everyone likes being associated with a "winner", no one likes a loser, and in players' perspectives especially, where it will take at least 4 more years of a career to get to this same point to have have this same shot at being a "winner".

To just get to the World Cup would be one of the most significant moments in Canadian sport in the past 2+ decades, maybe longer.

Today gives them that shot...it reminds me of the Flames getting out of the first round of the playoffs all those years. They get over that hump today, and pressure is off. Win 4-5 more games and tie a couple more next year out of 10, and you're probably in the WC. Lose and the program is in disarry for 2 years or longer.

Cmon Canada!

[polak]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Poland have lots of injuries

Poland don't open the roof to save pitch from being turned in to a swimming pool

good stuff

Game is probably going to be delayed until tomorrow