U23 Olympic Soccer Qualifiers

[sadora]

Originally Posted by browna

The big key to that game was that Canada really really needed to hold on to that 1-1 tie for the rest of the half, if not longer, not just a minute.

The longer they could keep the doubt in the Mexican's (and any South American team) mind, who considered themselves a different level above Canada, the better chance you have of those sort of teams imploding.

That goal was shocking to Mexico, and if Canada could've held out at that score longer, I think they had the firepower and counter attack to take advantage of what would be an evering-nervous Mexico team that would be turning against itself as the clock ticked away.

While the Canadian soccer program has taken great steps forward I don't think this team had enough to contain Mexico, even if they held on to that tie into the second half. The Mexican team was stronger and had more fire power to get the win. Still great to see the Canadian making it further than the US.

[troutman]

Donald Trump needs to investigate the birth certificates on some of the Mexican U-23 players.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by browna

Its not, but a below average start to the tournament, having to win a coin flip to get to the second stage, and then putting together two great games (and a third in the final vs Columbia) was story book, but is 1/50th the accomplishment of making the World Cup.
Technically, Canada won the "Gold Cup" in 1985, as they won the CONCACAF championship to gain entry to the WC, but obviously the format was different.

Also, IIRC, other countries did not exactly play their A teams in that Gold Cup.

[browna]

Originally Posted by sadora

While the Canadian soccer program has taken great steps forward I don't think this team had enough to contain Mexico, even if they held on to that tie into the second half. The Mexican team was stronger and had more fire power to get the win. Still great to see the Canadian making it further than the US.

I dunno, I've played against a few Central South American teams and then a lot of Central South American-cullturally based teams in the city, and once you frustrate them by having an answer for them at every turn, they start turning against each other and arguing on the field amongst themselves moreso than any other regional team, and become totally dysfunctional as a team, especially if they're impression was that they were going to beat you easily.

I recall being up in Edmonton when Canada tied Brazil in back in that friendly in 1994 before the WC, the Brazillian team started arguing with each other, with coaches, with subs on the bench after Canada tied it, the team looked panicked trying to do it as individuals. They even got into it with the Brazillian press after the game on the field, as they were expected to trounce Canada.

Sure, this tourney Mexico had more firepower on paper, but Canada's answer to their goal set them back a message that they actually had an opponent who may match them. If that pressure increased as the score stayed level, I think you would've seen the Mexican team play degenerate into some more bookings, and individual skill trying to break down Canada as opposed to a fluid team which got them where they were.

[Jimmy Stang]

All in all, and entertaining match for Canada and a fair result. It really is a shame that they didn't come out better against the Cubans, because although Honduras would have been though, Canada would have been able to play a little run and gun with them.

[sadora]

Not that it really matters since Canada is out, and both of these teams are already qualified for the Olympics...Mexico wins the tournament, 2-1 over Honduras!

[mac_82]

I think the future of Canadian soccer is looking bright with the MLS/NASL teams having academys that are starting to develop a lot of these players. 1/2 of the U23 team were from Toronto FC/White Caps/Impact/FC Edmonton, with more players not joining the team because of club commitments. If you look at the U17 team, abut 90% of the players are from the Canadian club teams.

[sadora]

Originally Posted by mac_82

I think the future of Canadian soccer is looking bright with the MLS/NASL teams having academys that are starting to develop a lot of these players. 1/2 of the U23 team were from Toronto FC/White Caps/Impact/FC Edmonton, with more players not joining the team because of club commitments. If you look at the U17 team, abut 90% of the players are from the Canadian club teams.

Youth development is the biggest contribution. European & South American Clubs have been doing it for years and I'm happy that there are systems being put in place here in Canada as well. We should see great development in the next few years from this. I'm hoping that some of these kids get a chance to play for the Canadian Team in the World Cup qualifiers.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by mac_82

I think the future of Canadian soccer is looking bright with the MLS/NASL teams having academys that are starting to develop a lot of these players. 1/2 of the U23 team were from Toronto FC/White Caps/Impact/FC Edmonton, with more players not joining the team because of club commitments. If you look at the U17 team, abut 90% of the players are from the Canadian club teams.

To be honest though, how much of an impact did the academies in Edmonton and Toronto have on the players they provided? I'm not entirely sure of the setup in Montreal but isn't Vancouver the only city where the club has developed their players from an early and crucial age?

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by Addick

To be honest though, how much of an impact did the academies in Edmonton and Toronto have on the players they provided? I'm not entirely sure of the setup in Montreal but isn't Vancouver the only city where the club has developed their players from an early and crucial age?

FC Edmonton's Academy is still in the early stages of development. They've started with a U10 academy, and will have U14, U12, U8 and U6. So they haven't had an impact yet, but they will 10 years down the road.

http://the11.ca/2011/10/21/fc-edmont...ll-first-step/

[mac_82]

Originally Posted by Addick

To be honest though, how much of an impact did the academies in Edmonton and Toronto have on the players they provided? I'm not entirely sure of the setup in Montreal but isn't Vancouver the only city where the club has developed their players from an early and crucial age?

Ashtone Morgan, Doneil Henry, and Matt Stinson all joined the TFC academy in 2008 (aged 16, 15 and 16) so they have been in the system for 5 years. Getting coached and developed by former TFC players (Dichio, Brennan) and guys brought in from Europe like Paul Mariner (Arsenal, Ipswich Town, England nation team) and Thomas Rongen (Ajax).

The Academy is only going to improve. They keep adding teams (U12, U13, U15, U17, U18) and they are in the process of building a new world class training facility based on the top clubs in Europe.

8 players have graduated from the TFC academy to play in MLS so far.

But since the Montreal/Vancouver/Edmonton programs haven't been around as long, they haven't had quite the same impact.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by mac_82

Ashtone Morgan, Doneil Henry, and Matt Stinson all joined the TFC academy in 2008 (aged 16, 15 and 16) so they have been in the system for 5 years. Getting coached and developed by former TFC players (Dichio, Brennan) and guys brought in from Europe like Paul Mariner (Arsenal, Ipswich Town, England nation team) and Thomas Rongen (Ajax).

The Academy is only going to improve. They keep adding teams (U12, U13, U15, U17, U18) and they are in the process of building a new world class training facility based on the top clubs in Europe.

8 players have graduated from the TFC academy to play in MLS so far.

But since the Montreal/Vancouver/Edmonton programs haven't been around as long, they haven't had quite the same impact.

Sweet, that's excellent and it's really good to see a professional club pulling its weight, but how much can they pull?

When Edmonton and Montreal's programmes are in full swing, we'll still only have four quality programmes in a country of over 32 million people. While it is great that these professional clubs will have a real physical impact, it's not this panacea to which I think a lot of people are pinning their hopes. Without casting aside these efforts and their benefits, however overstated they may be, we really need to start thinking about what else needs to be done.