The Canadian Men's Soccer Team Thread

[CroFlames]

Still, zero losses from five matches is a positive result.

They got the hardest matches out of the way early. USA, Mexico and Jamaica on the road.

Now is the time to get some wins though. I think anything less than 7 points in the next three matches will be disappointing.

[Johnny199r]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Still, zero losses from five matches is a positive result.

They got the hardest matches out of the way early. USA, Mexico and Jamaica on the road.

Now is the time to get some wins though. I think anything less than 7 points in the next three matches will be disappointing.

Panama hasn’t lost at home in their last 13 final round WCQ games.

The hardest away games are Central America, not Jamaica.

[Bill Bumface]

This was a good reminder it was never going to be an easy campaign. It will be a dogfight to the end (I hope at least).

[MegaErtz]

Panama beating the USA is a good result for Canada in this sense. We need Panama to be in with a change of qualifying until the penultimate match day, as they play Canada in match day fourteen in Panama.

Panama are the lowest ranked team in the group, so by them beating the second top ranked team, it keeps things closer. What I feared was the USA and Mexico trouncing everyone and only taking points off each other, which thankfully hasn’t happened. If Canada can win on Wednesday in Toronto, it will put us in a great position.

[shermanator]

That game, blechhhh. Need to bring out the A side for Panama again and get a result on Wed.

Liam Millar is giving me flashbacks to Simeon Jackson. Someone who is decent for club but consistently fails to show up when it matters for country.

[J epworth]

With Japan looking like the most likely opponent for the intercontinental play off right now it's even more important to get that top 3 spot, they haven't missed the world cup since 1994, would be a tough way to qualify.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by shermanator

Liam Millar is giving me flashbacks to Simeon Jackson. Someone who is decent for club but consistently fails to show up when it matters for country.

I’m worried Jonathan David is earning his way on that list too.

[Johnny199r]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

I’m worried Jonathan David is earning his way on that list too.

Jonathan David is not a target man. He cannot play as a lone striker. He plays off his forward partner and is great at opening up space with his runs.

Having him as a lone forward was always going to result in an outcome like this. He needs a Larin or Cavallini to play off of.

[PeteMoss]

Wish these games had better announcers.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Wish these games had better announcers.

Yeah I hate to be a wet blanket during these fun times, but yeah. They suck.

I know KJ is an analyst but can't he at least do the color commentary?

[TheIronMaiden]

My dad and I are going to drive up for the November games. Which is the Foot soilders section?

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by J epworth

With Japan looking like the most likely opponent for the intercontinental play off right now it's even more important to get that top 3 spot, they haven't missed the world cup since 1994, would be a tough way to qualify.

Japan won a huge must-win game against Australia today, 2-1. So it's going to be a dogfight between Australia, Saudi Arabia, and Japan for the two guaranteed spots.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

My dad and I are going to drive up for the November games. Which is the Foot soilders section?

There is no Foot Soldiers section. Voyageurs only. Don't think anything else is being coordinated.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by J epworth

With Japan looking like the most likely opponent for the intercontinental play off right now it's even more important to get that top 3 spot, they haven't missed the world cup since 1994, would be a tough way to qualify.

It's not necessarily japan, it's a draw between the 4 teams, and it could be way worse than japan

Concacaf - say hypothetically canada

AFC- currently would be japan
Ofc - hasnt even started yet but let's say New Zealand, they are highest ranked in region

South america is where the trouble comes, it could be anyone besides brazil and Argentina who are already 6 points ahead of 3rd. But Columbia, uruguay, and Ecuador have 1 point between them in 3rd to 5th, Paraguay and Chile are only 3 and 4 points behind as well

Theres a big gap between whichever south American team makes it and really anyone else from the other 3 regions

[fleuryisgod]

Any word when the tickets for the Edmonton games go on sale yet?

[browna]

Originally Posted by d_phaneuf

It's not necessarily japan, it's a draw between the 4 teams, and it could be way worse than japan

Concacaf - say hypothetically canada

AFC- currently would be japan
Ofc - hasnt even started yet but let's say New Zealand, they are highest ranked in region

South america is where the trouble comes, it could be anyone besides brazil and Argentina who are already 6 points ahead of 3rd. But Columbia, uruguay, and Ecuador have 1 point between them in 3rd to 5th, Paraguay and Chile are only 3 and 4 points behind as well

Theres a big gap between whichever south American team makes it and really anyone else from the other 3 regions

Yup.
Canada has proven so far, not by fluke, that there is no reason that they can't finish 3rd. They just can't play down to other teams, because it's clear they get up for teams they feel are superior.

Finishing 4th gets some more international experience but if we can't outlast Panama, Costa Rica, and minnows, another round against 2 or 3 other teams that are superior to a Panama, it will be a tall task to navigate that playoff.

[CroFlames]

Gameday already.

This one is huge. Need all three points or the results in Mexico and Jamaica don't really count for much.

Let's go

[Bill Bumface]

I'm not optimistic. Tons of PTSD baggage from the last couple decades, and the fact Panama is stingy and all of our strikers are hurt. Hoilett is sorely missed. Cool as a cucumber, and can break a game open on his own.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Gameday already.

This one is huge. Need all three points or the results in Mexico and Jamaica don't really count for much.

Let's go

I try and avoid hyperbole, but this one really is massive. A point is a point, especially away from home, but that Jamaica match was disappointing and it feels more like two points dropped rather than one point earned.

But if they wrap up this window with 5 points and remain undefeated in the competition, there is no need to panic.

Drop a deuce in our own bed at BMO field tonight? That's going to come back to haunt us.

[shermanator]

I would almost say this is must win for Canada. Panama are going to be one of the nations that they are fighting for third with.