canso Posted November 1, 2004 Share Posted November 1, 2004 Pulled this off the Planet World Cup site. An outsider's perspective: what have we done to deserve such treatment? Been thinking about that and it seems obvious that Canada's Crime is that we've been neglecting the beautiful game, not paying enough attention to her, and she has scorned us for Third World Banana Republics; a more practical result is that because there is no widespread interest or media coverage we can get ripped off blatantly by corrupt referees and no one really notices. "Speaking of Canada, I've been spending the last few weeks reading up on Canadian history. It's pretty interesting. Did you know that during and after the American Revolution, many Loyalists migrated from the USA to British Canada in order to stay under colonial rule? That the first Canadian income tax was instituted in 1917, to help pay for the war effort? That Canada had no way to amend its constitution until 1982? So I've found a lot of interesting stuff. But I haven't found the one thing I was looking for: what HORRIBLE ACT Canada must have performed to deserve what's happened to them against Honduras. In the first game, two blown calls at the end, allowing the tying goal and taking the winning one away. In the second game, another blown call to deny them an insurance goal, and then a very-last-gasp equalizer. OK, maybe they care about ice hockey too much, and the rouge point seems a bit odd, but there has to be something much worse--was there a Canadian Inquisition, or something? Both sides needed a win in the rematch, Canada to stave off elimination, Honduras to keep pace with the leaders. Canada were missing Paul Staltieri, still under suspension for bottle-throwing, but Atiba Hutchinson had looked good in relief, so there was no reason to panic. Honduras had a much worse problem. David Suazo, the absolutely irreplaceable David Suazo, had injured his groin while playing for Cagliari. (One newspaper coined the neat term "Suazodependencia.") Attempting to adjust, Raul Martinez Sambulá went with a 4-5-1 with Carlos Pavón the lone striker--to say the least, a very curious decision. First of all, in a game you need to win, why not start two strikers? Second, although Pavón had played well against Guatemala, the setup there had been perfect for him: a wet pitch and a small opposing back line, so he could use his centerforward skills to best advantage. This time the pitch was dry, and Canada's slow defense simply cried out for a pairing of Saúl Martínez and Milton "Tyson" Nuñez. Pavon didn't play terribly well--but in the first half he was far from the only problem. To say Honduras were "lifeless" would be an insult to inorganic matter. Little skill, less tactical awareness, no evidence anything was at stake. In fact, they seemed to have only one player on the pitch: Édgard Alvarez, playing right midfield, who repeatedly undressed left back Ante Jazic. But nothing came of it. Canada played patiently, held off what passed for the Honduran attack, and managed a few effective counters. They even had the best chance of the half, when Iain Hume made a couple of great moves in the area but was denied by Noel Valladares. At the interval Honduras consulted a geologist, who patiently explained that football players were different from rocks. Sambulá put Martínez in and shifted from a 4-5-1 to a 3-5-2. The team finally looked motivated, with Amado Guevara providing the impetus in midfield--but Canada, realizing they could actually win this game, held firm. Hutchinson was particularly good at right back, and Sandro Grande, getting his second straight start in midfield, was getting the ball out effectively for counters. Honduras managed a few half-chances, nothing special. So here came Fate. In the 73rd minute Hutchinson stabbed home a corner, and Canada was ahead on a set piece, just as in the first game. But this time, surely, they would hold on. David Suazo was an ocean away, and a confused Honduras was slipping down the biological ladder again. So on a free kick, Jason DeVos headed across to Dwayne DeRosario, who chested in the clinching goal. Game over. But the dark act hidden in the bowels of Canadian history (Trappers overtrapping? Mounties not mounted?) had to be atoned for. The goal was disallowed for a foul on DeVos, and I don't need to tell you what the replay showed. So now the result was inevitable. Honduras had regressed through sedimentary and metamorphic, all the way back to igneous, but it didn't matter. In the second minute of injury time, Sergio Mendoza lifted one into the area, Mark Watson's clearance was poor, and Danilo Turcios stuck out his leg to drive it past Pat Onstad. Another unbelievable draw. There's a lesson there somewhere, but I'm glad I don't know what it is." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soccerbeast Posted November 1, 2004 Share Posted November 1, 2004 Our only crime is that we still don't have a national league 18 years after our only World Cup appearence. The NASL,CSL,CPSL, have all died in between. The chances of a league being formed in the near future are about the same as us ever getting back to the World Cup....slim to none. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soccerbeast Posted November 1, 2004 Share Posted November 1, 2004 Our only crime is that we still don't have a national league 18 years after our only World Cup appearence. The NASL,CSL,CPSL, have all died in between. The chances of a league being formed in the near future are about the same as us ever getting back to the World Cup....slim to none. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canso Posted November 2, 2004 Author Share Posted November 2, 2004 Looking for something a little more mystical and karmic there Beast, Old Boy. It wasn't one of my more inspired postings anyways, so I'm glad you responded, as that should keep everyone else from replying! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canso Posted November 2, 2004 Author Share Posted November 2, 2004 Looking for something a little more mystical and karmic there Beast, Old Boy. It wasn't one of my more inspired postings anyways, so I'm glad you responded, as that should keep everyone else from replying! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarnCherry Posted November 2, 2004 Share Posted November 2, 2004 The NASL was dead before our world cup appearance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarnCherry Posted November 2, 2004 Share Posted November 2, 2004 The NASL was dead before our world cup appearance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desigol Posted November 6, 2004 Share Posted November 6, 2004 Canada needs a few Businessmen who are prepared to invest in a league. All fine and Dandy having a League, but it's a case of "Show me the Money!" to Quote Jerry Maguire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ref Posted November 6, 2004 Share Posted November 6, 2004 quote:Originally posted by Krammerhead The NASL was dead before our world cup appearance. But I think the corpse was still warm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoyleG Posted November 6, 2004 Share Posted November 6, 2004 quote:Originally posted by Desigol Canada needs a few Businessmen who are prepared to invest in a league. All fine and Dandy having a League, but it's a case of "Show me the Money!" to Quote Jerry Maguire. Until they see a realistic and sound proposal, it ain't going nowhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbailey62 Posted November 7, 2004 Share Posted November 7, 2004 quote:Originally posted by The Ref But I think the corpse was still warm. It certainly was. With the exception of newcomers Paul Dolan and Randy Samuel plus two or three players unattached to any pro club, our team was made up of NASL veterans. The failure of the NASL was a soccer tragedy from which we have never recovered. db Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elricko Posted November 7, 2004 Share Posted November 7, 2004 Canada's crime is that it can't see beyond the micky-mouse sport of hockey,WWF-on-ice, the media especially, which virtually controls the apathetic public, do not seem to realise that there is another big bright world out there, that consists of major international sports. Kids in this country play soccer, BUT ---they talk hockey-who is to blame for that? Christ, we have enough talented players of all ages to compete at every world cup, IF the media promoted the sport of soccer, the interest would grow, leagues would form , advertising money would flow, especially TV revenues. UNTIL that interest is there , NOTHING will improve the world's greatest sport in this forsaken country of Canada--which I ALWAYS refer to as "The World's Soccer Wasteland"!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayWay Posted November 7, 2004 Share Posted November 7, 2004 quote:Originally posted by elricko Kids in this country play soccer, BUT ---they talk hockey-who is to blame for that? Christ And all this time, too... How could we be so naive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desigol Posted November 7, 2004 Share Posted November 7, 2004 quote:Originally posted by JayWay And all this time, too... How could we be so naive? The Good Lord also played Soccer as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeta Posted November 7, 2004 Share Posted November 7, 2004 You'll notice he's a left hand shot as well. Just like all the greats. I'm not even going to mention anything about getting nailed into the boards. OOPS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elricko Posted November 7, 2004 Share Posted November 7, 2004 so who thinks that is funny? Jesus you guys need to get a life!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayWay Posted November 7, 2004 Share Posted November 7, 2004 quote:Originally posted by Cheeta You'll notice he's a left hand shot as well. Just like all the greats. I'm not even going to mention anything about getting nailed into the boards. OOPS. Jesus saves (he's got a quick glove-hand). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canso Posted November 8, 2004 Author Share Posted November 8, 2004 That's damn funny! Clear the ice, here comes Christ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juaninho Posted November 8, 2004 Share Posted November 8, 2004 He'd basically own the Lady Byng Trophy, though I'd like to see him on a line with Miro Satan, to balance things off a bit. Would make an interesting scoreline, Goal: Christ. Assisted by: Satan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canso Posted November 8, 2004 Author Share Posted November 8, 2004 I don't know I could see him having a bit of an edge, I mean apparently he mixed it up with those moneylenders pretty good! Jesus sets up the drop pass: "Get thee behind me Satan!" And doesn't he look a little like Dave Semenko? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juaninho Posted November 8, 2004 Share Posted November 8, 2004 Yeah, I see your point about the moneylender angst - I could see it being expressed if Kerry Frasier is the ref and makes yet another stupid call. But Dave Semenko? Hmmm... I think the resemblance to Dave 'the hammer' Schultz is closer then Dave Semenko. Needs to grow a nice hirsute beard though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canso Posted November 8, 2004 Author Share Posted November 8, 2004 Kick his ass JC! Back to soccer: if we are truly wandering in the "soccer wilderness", and few can doubt it given our sufferings, then does that make us the chosen people? If so we are in desparate need of a messiah to lead the way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachesl Posted November 8, 2004 Share Posted November 8, 2004 De Rosario (seen here doing volunteer work with the kids) is our messiah! Yeh, his crosses are wondrous to behold. Note that Dwayne, born May15/78, turns 32 just before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. A coincidence? I think not, brothers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canso Posted November 8, 2004 Author Share Posted November 8, 2004 You can tell it's DeRo by the way he's running with his head down! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juaninho Posted November 8, 2004 Share Posted November 8, 2004 quote:Originally posted by canso Back to soccer: if we are truly wandering in the "soccer wilderness", and few can doubt it given our sufferings, then does that make us the chosen people? If so we are in desparate need of a messiah to lead the way! I guess that depends on if you subscribe to a monotheistic or polytheistic faith to determine the scope of divine intervention. But given our doldrums, a pantheistic answer would be more desired. Imagine Ganesh as our sweeper, Vishnu as our offensive midfielder! All of Malton would come to MNT games! But religious allegories aside, I don't think that the MNT will wander in the desert for 40 years. I honestly think that we will be better for 2010's qualification. Why? Besides blind faith (ha! what a strange saying), the developmental program will be about 6 years old by the time the World Cup has signalled its last off-side and Beckham has scuffed yet another penalty. I think the talent pool will be better and bigger. Factor in good young players from this qualification bid such as Hutchinson, Hume, DeGuzman, Simpson, and an up and coming Cam Wilson, we will be better for 2008's qualification run. I am not saying that a portugese-esque 'golden generation' is in our midst, but i do think that now that the CSA is taking an active rather then passive interest in player development, it can only get better. And yes, what did the 'golden generation' do in the end anyway? But don't use that against my argument! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.