Duane Rollins1555362254 Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 I just got back from the soccer in crisis meeting in Toronto.Both VPjr and myself took lots of notes and will report in detail what we saw and thought tomorrow (well, I will anyway. I don't want to speak for VPjr). It's 2:30 a.m., however... One thing that did jump out is that the CSA's Vince Ursini did let it slip that there was going to be four national team games in Toronto next year. He said it in such a way that made it sound like a done deal. He didn't say whether we were talking about the WCQers, or friendlies, men's or women's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolando Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 quote:Originally posted by MediaGuy I just got back from the soccer in crisis meeting in Toronto.Both VPjr and myself took lots of notes and will report in detail what we saw and thought tomorrow (well, I will anyway. I don't want to speak for VPjr). It's 2:30 a.m., however... One thing that did jump out is that the CSA's Vince Ursini did let it slip that there was going to be four national team games in Toronto next year. He said it in such a way that made it sound like a done deal. He didn't say whether we were talking about the WCQers, or friendlies, men's or women's. Toronto deserves at least a couple of the qualifiers, IMHO. Thanks for the scoop! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeffery S. Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 If we play the previous round to the semis and the semis themselves that is four official home games in 2008. Is he saying, then, that all four will be in Toronto? (Last time it was only one previous round vs. Belize as we got a bye, and then both at home for their economic problems; not sure if we will have one or two prelim rounds this time, if it is two then we would have at least 5 official matches at home in 2008). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 "National team games" is a pretty wide net. Let's not all get fired up with half the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kibby Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 I would expect Montreal might get some with thier new stadium, atleast one of the qualifiers. I'd love to see Canada(friendly/qualifer don't matter) in Ottawa.. but MTL is just a hop skip and a jump down the road really. Royal Victoria looked rather nice during the u20.. does it still seat the 11000? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gian-Luca Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 I'm surprised he was there, as I thought I had read somewhere a CSA spokesperson indicating that nobody from the CSA would be attending the meeting. Of course, it wouldn't be the first time the right hand didn't know what the left was doing with the CSA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VPjr Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 quote:Originally posted by Gian-Luca I'm surprised he was there, as I thought I had read somewhere a CSA spokesperson indicating that nobody from the CSA would be attending the meeting. Of course, it wouldn't be the first time the right hand didn't know what the left was doing with the CSA. I was told that Vince decided at the last minute to attend. I am sure Bob Iarusci's quote in yesterday's Globe and Mail might have influenced his decision a bit. Regardless of why he showed up, we appreciate that he did. He knew that he was going to be walking into a room full of somewhat hostile people and he took the abuse directed at the CSA well. In the last two days, members of the CSA executive have met with people involved at the grassroots level and listened to our concerns and have said some</u> of the right things. Of course, there is a huge difference between saying the right things and doing something. It is imperative that more meetings like last night's take place and that people who care about this game get off their couches and take the time to take part in the process. If we are organized and singing of a relatively united songsheet, the people who administer this sport will ignore us at their peril. I will prepare a summary of last nights meeting this afternoon and post it for everyone to consider and discuss. There were some interesting debates and comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Hombre Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 quote:Originally posted by Kibby I would expect Montreal might get some with thier new stadium, atleast one of the qualifiers. I'd love to see Canada(friendly/qualifer don't matter) in Ottawa.. but MTL is just a hop skip and a jump down the road really. That's a really bad idea. I would bet that the visiting fans would not only be more vocal but would actually outnumber the Canadian fans. Don't let the U20 tournament crowds deceive you. At most 2,000 fans showed up on a weekend at cheap ticket prices to watch a warmup match against the U.S. leading up to the tournament. It was embarassing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duane Rollins1555362254 Posted October 24, 2007 Author Share Posted October 24, 2007 The four games remark came within the context of a discussion about how the CSA failed to market last month's friendly properly. I took it to mean that he was talking about the MNT, and likely the WCQ games, but as I posted above it wasn't specifically stated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadasBest Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 Royal Athletic has been transferred back into the dump it was before the U-20 Tourney. With a slightly more level playing field. The 4 games are most likely the 3 WCQ Semi-Final games plus the first home and away game. That's nothing new... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loyola Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 They can't guarantee 4 games if 3 of those are uncertain (we haven't won the home and away yet...). But it's the CSA.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ref Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 quote:Originally posted by Gian-Luca Of course, it wouldn't be the first time the right hand didn't know what the left was doing with the CSA. True enough! I have a feeling that there is a small groupie in the Board who is sort of running things. Ursini being one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadasBest Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 quote:Originally posted by loyola They can't guarantee 4 games if 3 of those are uncertain (we haven't won the home and away yet...). But it's the CSA.... Never thought of that good point. I really should have my morning coffee before posting on here. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ref Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 quote:Originally posted by gwallace76 Royal Athletic has been transferred back into the dump it was before the U-20 Tourney. With a slightly more level playing field. You must be kidding! Didn't the City say they would keep it as is and try to get a pro team into Victoria. Did they move the field back to where it was and re-enact the baseball diamond as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toronto Ruffrider Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 Hopefully the four games that Ursini mentioned are not WCQers. Canada could really use a few home friendlies over the next several months in order to build a profile amongst fans. When qualifying does start, I would like to see a couple of games held in T.O., with the remaining two games held in Montreal and possibly Vancouver. If our boys do their job on the pitch, then we can debate where the remaining five WCQers will be played in 2009. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canucks fan Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 quote:Originally posted by The Ref You must be kidding! Didn't the City say they would keep it as is and try to get a pro team into Victoria. Did they move the field back to where it was and re-enact the baseball diamond as well? don't know if the baseball diamond came back but the temp seats are gone and they're back tearing it up playing football on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marco07 Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 quote:Originally posted by The Ref You must be kidding! Didn't the City say they would keep it as is and try to get a pro team into Victoria. Did they move the field back to where it was and re-enact the baseball diamond as well? From the rumours I have heard the Pro Team idea is down the tube at the moment. In regards to Royal Athletic Park, the temporary grand stands are gone and so are the corporate suites and media boxes. The beautiful field from the event is still there...yet, it is very hard to find it under all the under-watered LONG grass. The pitch was gorgeous during the event, but now it has transformed back to it's former state. The costs would be extremely high for the City if they were to maintain a field of that quality. The three main factors to its demise in quality: Not Watered Enough Not Cut Enough Too Much American Football And YES...The field is now back to it's former spot at the park for the Vancouver Island Soccer League season. Although, the good thing is that it can always be moved back because the City kept the Goal Post & Corner Flag bracing from the U-20's in the field for future soccer internationals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbailey62 Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 quote:Originally posted by Toronto Ruffrider Hopefully the four games that Ursini mentioned are not WCQers. Canada could really use a few home friendlies over the next several months in order to build a profile amongst fans. When qualifying does start, I would like to see a couple of games held in T.O., with the remaining two games held in Montreal and possibly Vancouver. If our boys do their job on the pitch, then we can debate where the remaining five WCQers will be played in 2009. Good point about the friendlies! db Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeta Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 quote:Originally posted by Toronto Ruffrider Hopefully the four games that Ursini mentioned are not WCQers. Canada could really use a few home friendlies over the next several months in order to build a profile amongst fans. When qualifying does start, I would like to see a couple of games held in T.O., with the remaining two games held in Montreal and possibly Vancouver. If our boys do their job on the pitch, then we can debate where the remaining five WCQers will be played in 2009. About the only part I'd agree with is the hoping for 4 friendlys at home next year. I think given the financial state of affairs these days the CSA will not be hosting any home fixtures that they aren't absolutely certain will turn something resembling a profit. Even with the reduced expenses you'd expect with youth and womens football I doubt anything but the MNT will get a decent crowd anywhere in Canada (for a friendly) with ticket prices set at anything other than give-away prices. So I'd suspect MNT football is what he's referring to. And if you want to establish a fan base than focus on a market, localized though it may be, and do just that. Focus on it. Right now we have one local market which shows signs of potential and profitability and that's Toronto. So focus on it and expand outwards when the time is right. But for Christ's sake focus. Really give it a go and see where it leads. The regionalism of the CSA structure may hinder that sort of scheme but the black and white of dollars and cents will always be trumps with our national federation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piltdownman Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Maybe its because I'm from out west but shouldn't the games be moved around? Especially after the last mach in Toronto was badly attended? You can make excuses all you want for that, but with the CSA they make those same mistakes in every market. Personally as someone who is hoping to go to every WQC Home and Away the thought of Toronto getting most/all of the games is very disapointing. As for Royal Athletic Park I'll walk the five blocks from my condo tomorrow and take some pictures to post here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metro Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 ^^It's not about what's best for us but what's best for our boys. Having them travel all the way to Vancouver when teams like Guatemala or Honduras travel a much shorter distance doesn't help them. If it was up to me, all the WCQ games would played in the Maritimes. Having said that, I seriously doubt that is the way the CSA is thinking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piltdownman Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Here are some pictures from Royal Athletic Park in Victoria taken about 20 minutes ago. If anyone wants the high res ones for any reason let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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