Edmonton Sun - What a Feeling...#90!

[Winnipeg Fury]

What a feeling to be No ... 90!

By KEITH BRADFORD -- Edmonton Sun

It's time to rejoice.

And to start feeling better about life, the universe and Canadian soccer, apparently.

After all, according to reports published yesterday, Frank Yallop's men "ended the year on a high note" (yes, The Canadian Press really did write that) by moving up five places in the world rankings.

Yes, I can confirm that our Maple Leafs have now reached the dizzy heights of No. 90.

And if they continue to progress at their current pace, there's no telling what might happen. We could be down to 80 by the end of the decade. Heck, a few lucky breaks and it could even be 79.

And then everyone can rejoice once more. Have a party. And toast our great soccer success.

GO TO THE WEBSITE

Alternatively, fans could just go to the FIFA website and find out where Canada really stands.

Which, at No. 90 in the rankings, is currently one place behind the soccer giants of Togo, six back from Burkina Faso and a full 34 places behind Oman. Oh dear.

I'm sure some would argue that the most important thing is where Canada ranks among CONCACAF countries, which include those in North and Central America and the Caribbean.

After all, it's unfair to compare Canada to such mighty soccer powers as Zimbabwe (ranked 60 worldwide), Iraq (44, the war notwithstanding) and Egypt (34).

WAY BEHIND CUBA ...

But when you consider that Canada is ninth among CONCACAF nations, way behind the likes of Cuba (76), Guatemala (71) and Honduras (59), it's hard to feel much like celebrating.

When you look at Canada's squad, you can hardly say we have a talent-deficit compared to, say, Honduras. And in Yallop we're lucky to have a proven coach.

As has been said and written many times before, it's the chronic lack of time Canada's team gets to prepare for matches that is killing its chances of performing anywhere near potential.

And while a Canadian MLS soccer team would certainly help to solve that problem, it's time for fans to stop being so damned patient and understanding. What do you think this is? Christmas?

Lobby government. Lobby the Canadian Soccer Association. And if you can't get Santa to cough up an MLS team, demand that Yallop gets more time with his players.

Producing some of the world's best talent is basically a big, fat waste of time if they don't have the chance to flourish over here.

After all, there's only so many Owen Hargreaves a country ranked No. 90 in the world can afford to lose.

[Luis_Rancagua]

quote:Originally posted by Winnipeg Fury

Lobby government. Lobby the Canadian Soccer Association. And if you can't get Santa to cough up an MLS team, demand that Yallop gets more time with his players.

Lobbying the CSA is perhaps the huge waste of time. As long as Kevan Pipe is still in command of the CSA, nothing is going to happen. For this reason I have given up on this whole thing.

[Robert]

Keith Bradford of the Edmonton Sun has presented a far more honest accounting of the current state of Canadian soccer affairs than what Neil Davidson's farcical "Things are looking up" fairytale. The prevailing sense that I pick-up from the postings on the Voyageurs' boards is more a feeling of being bummed-out and having to accept the reality of this past year's CSA productions, rather than Davidson's pseudo optimism.

The good thing about both these articles are the attention soccer is receiving in the Canadian media. The lack of hockey is giving other sports more airtime. Public awareness followed by public pressure is the only way Kevan Pipe will ever get ousted. Thanks for the nail Keith!

[Bertuzzi44]

quote:Originally posted by Winnipeg Fury

What a feeling to be No ... 90!

After all, it's unfair to compare Canada to such mighty soccer powers as Zimbabwe (ranked 60 worldwide), Iraq (44, the war notwithstanding) and Egypt (34).

But when you consider that Canada is ninth among CONCACAF nations, way behind the likes of Guatemala (71) and Honduras (59), it's hard to feel much like celebrating.

I don't understand why people always say things like "oh I can't believe we are behind Egypt!". its the culture of soccer, the precence of a domestic league, and the history of the game in a particular country that makes a country good or not, not the country's size or wealth. Yes, Egypt is better than us, and so is guatemala and honduras. but remember, country size and wealth is not what makes one good at soccer.

besides, does Canada have anyone as good as Ahmed Hossam(Roma)? Carlos Ruiz(LA)? or David Suazo(Cagliari)? ...mmm i doubt it.

[Guest Ed]

None of those guys would make an England squad. A Cdn did.

[Guest Ed]

None of those guys would make an England squad. A Cdn did.

[stacks]

In my opinion Hargreaves is not Canadina, remember he picked England.

grew up in Calgary, picked England, real loyal, damn traitor

[stacks]

In my opinion Hargreaves is not Canadina, remember he picked England.

grew up in Calgary, picked England, real loyal, damn traitor

[analyst]

Robert and Luis, if CSA is to be blamed, then you should blame the Prez, not just a paid staff person like KP.

KP has lasted 18 years as a staff person becasue he has the suport of the Prez's and the reason he has their support is because he takes the public criticism for them and for himself. As long as you keep blaming KP for the problems with Canadian soccer, then Sharpe is happy, because he is not being criticized.

[redhat]

People put too much stock in these stupid rankings despite

the fact that almost everyone concedes it has major flaws.

Canada is 9th in CONCACAF behind Cuba, who DIDN'T even make it

to WCQ 2nd round, or Honduras or Jamaica, both teams that also

FAILED to go through the next round like us.

But the article didn't mention these facts either.

The article is not balanced, it is quite ethnocentric ("why are

3rd world countries like Togo ahead of us?"), and it is NOT

very realistic. Like Bertuzzi implied, these countries are

soccer nations, while Canada has other sports at the forefront.

(If you're not sure, check the TV schedules at TSN and Sportsnet.)

I'm just tired of these articles that provide little or no revelation,

or any comment that just criticizes over and over again. If you

want Canada to move up, we need to play more games and earn some

success and stop squabbling amongst supporters. Again, it starts

with the game against Northern Ireland, and more to come.

[Danny Boy]

quote:Originally posted by analyst

Robert and Luis, if CSA is to be blamed, then you should blame the Prez, not just a paid staff person like KP.

KP has lasted 18 years as a staff person becasue he has the suport of the Prez's and the reason he has their support is because he takes the public criticism for them and for himself. As long as you keep blaming KP for the problems with Canadian soccer, then Sharpe is happy, because he is not being criticized.

Why do you vigorosly defend KP? we all know the prez has got nothing to do with the day to day runnings of the CSA. If a COO of a major corporation were to have the track record of KP, they wouldn't be COO for very long. I know the CSA is not a corporation or should be treated like one. But it should be held accountable for progress right? so then please tell me why we're still stuck somewhere around 1992? Mr. Sharpe wasn't around then so he can't be held responsible.

The CSA has got the position of envy for all amateur sports in Canada. It, as a result of good demographics and low entry costs, has the most people playing its sport. More than hockey even. Estimates are close to a million people registered in the sport. This is without the CSA even trying. The CSA didn't aggresively attract that many people to play soccer. They just play cuz its either fun, or its cheaper than hockey, or it's easier for kids to make friends. But for some reason the CSA cannot make a buck. For crying out loud this is incompetency! This is a marketers dream! An association this large should have some major bargaining power, instead it has the power of the StayPuff Marshmallow Man. No one cares about the CSA because the CSA has no power. Power is money, money is power. The reason the CSA has no money is Kevan Pipe.

Thank you, good night

[Robert]

quote:Originally posted by analyst

Robert and Luis, if CSA is to be blamed, then you should blame the Prez, not just a paid staff person like KP.

KP has lasted 18 years as a staff person becasue he has the suport of the Prez's and the reason he has their support is because he takes the public criticism for them and for himself. As long as you keep blaming KP for the problems with Canadian soccer, then Sharpe is happy, because he is not being criticized.

What do you mean "IF" the CSA is to blame? Isn't there anyone in that whole association that is responsible for anything? "Just a paid staff person" What are we paying him for? Certainly not on the basis of performance I hope? Why should we blame the Prez.? It took Andy two years just to find out where to hang his hat. The greater guilt rests with every CSA director. They are directors in name only and have done absolutely nothing for Canadian soccer in the past 18 years.

[Soju]

I apologize if this is off topic, but does Toronto have any urban soccer parks to encourage the game in big city areas with high immigrant populations? The image of the game needs to be changed. Soccer isn't just an English game for men who wear knee socks. Look at how popular basketball has become since being sold as a tough urban game that's easily accesible and played in the city and on every corner. Is the sport of basketball itself any tougher than soccer? Ow you slapped my wrist. Yet it's considered a good masculine sport whereas soccer players are still considered by many to be sissies, it's marketing. Concrete five or seven a side Futsal style soccer courts are cheap and low maintenance. I think this is could be part of the solution.