Gian-Luca Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Grizzly I agree, I am fine with the black protests for friendlies but in WCQ there should only be one thing on our minds which is supporting the team for qualifying. I would also agree with this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duane Rollins1555362254 Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Grizzly I agree, I am fine with the black protests for friendlies but in WCQ there should only be one thing on our minds which is supporting the team for qualifying. What colour shirt I'm wearing has nothing to do with whether I'm supporting the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duane Rollins1555362254 Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Gian-Luca I would also agree with this. I'm not going to go into this now (again ), but I strongly believe that we are showing more support to the players on the pitch by wearing black. That said, I don't anticipate calling for a formal protest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 Agree with MediaGuy....the players showed from their comments at the last game that they fully understand the nature and intent of the black t-shirts and think precisely because it is a higher profile game that the protest should continue. With any luck they will see them in the stand for all 10 home WCQ this go around, and several of the away qualifiers as well. There is no question in my mind that the players want changes to the CSA as much as anyone - recall DeRo's recent comments on this - and think we do them a disservice by tapering off. I will be wearing black at all WCQs I attend and would urge everyone else to as well. The Players know they have our support, and IMO need our help in effecting positive changes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ed Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 Rudi, the cities getting 'shafted' out of MNT games are the cities hurt by the arrangement between the CSA and MLSE to have a fixed number of games at BMO. In other words, Toronto is the only city not being 'shafted'. On the other topic, BACK in BLACK!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrennanFan Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 quote:Originally posted by MediaGuy What colour shirt I'm wearing has nothing to do with whether I'm supporting the team. what? wearing your teams colours is a fundamental aspect of supporting a team. creating a 'sea of red' in the supporters section has everything to do with supporting our nats. you really want to work against that? would you also be wearing black to south africa if we qualify? there is a time for political protests, but not at WCQ. This is about nationalism, pride, and a belief that our soccer is better than that of honduras etc. wearing black will only create division in the supporters section, reducing the effect of both colours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Daniel It sucks that the clubs scheduled games on that weekend. But whose fault is that, really? I mean, the WCQ schedule has been out since December, well before either the USL or MLS released their schedules. The onus was on the CSA to ensure that it had one of those two stadiums available for that match. The only other possibility is that neither Stade Saputo nor BMO Field will get the game. Since it's in June, during the Euro off-season, they could arguably play this match anywhere without inconveniencing the players. Of course, even Swangard is out for that weekend, for the same reasons as Montreal. Which makes this whole situation even more laughable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smeghead Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 Black is the new red till the CSA gives up the ghost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duane Rollins1555362254 Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 quote:Originally posted by BrennanFan what? wearing your teams colours is a fundamental aspect of supporting a team. creating a 'sea of red' in the supporters section has everything to do with supporting our nats. you really want to work against that? would you also be wearing black to south africa if we qualify? there is a time for political protests, but not at WCQ. This is about nationalism, pride, and a belief that our soccer is better than that of honduras etc. wearing black will only create division in the supporters section, reducing the effect of both colours. I will start a separate thread about this when the game is nearer. A "sea of red" = no one notices, players included. It's just a normal situation. Last time, we stressed that, once in the stands, the fans cheer as they would normally. Outside of one 30-second "Sack the CSA" chant, our entire focus was cheering on Canada. The black t-shirt idea spoke to that--we wanted the protest to be viable and in no way directed to the players on the pitch. Our efforts are still occasionally mentioned in the media today, months after the game. So, it's fair to say we were successful. But, our success will mean nothing if pressure isn't maintained. As I said above, it's unlikely we will call for a formal protest. Rather, we will suggest that fans continue to wear black until they are confident that CSA reform is underway. After that, it will be up to each individual to make their own decision. Read what the players are saying. They get it. Actually, I'd imagine they would be disappointed if we stopped our efforts after one game. As I said...we will have this conversation again as the game nears.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duane Rollins1555362254 Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 One last point before I leave this to May... At this point I don't think there is much Dino or I can do to stop people from wearing black. The frustration has reached a tipping point and the black has provided some people with an outlet to that frustration that they are all-too willing to take. If you want to wear your red Canada jersey to the game, that's your right. But, I believe the more inspired choice is to wear black. Or, at least, to have something black on you (a towel to wave, a hat, etc). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Ed Rudi, the cities getting 'shafted' out of MNT games are the cities hurt by the arrangement between the CSA and MLSE to have a fixed number of games at BMO. In other words, Toronto is the only city not being 'shafted'. Not really though. If you read what I was saying, it's that I'm afraid we'll get stuck with games like these (less desirable games that have to be played somewhere) just to satisfy that contract, while other cities get more desirable games as the CSA tries to show the rest of the country that it is not treating Toronto with any favouritism. The last thing Canada needs is another crucial game played mid-week at Swangard just because the rest of the games are being played out east. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrennanFan Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 quote:Originally posted by MediaGuy One last point before I leave this to May... At this point I don't think there is much Dino or I can do to stop people from wearing black. The frustration has reached a tipping point and the black has provided some people with an outlet to that frustration that they are all-too willing to take. If you want to wear your red Canada jersey to the game, that's your right. But, I believe the more inspired choice is to wear black. Or, at least, to have something black on you (a towel to wave, a hat, etc). this is almost as bad as when the southsiders wore their blue whitecaps shirts when we played guatemala. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadasBest Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 quote:Originally posted by BrennanFan this is almost as bad as when the southsiders wore their blue whitecaps shirts when we played guatemala. Bunch of Owen Hargreaves in that lot. Just kidding guys Blue shirts or not the guys from the Southside sure provided a great atmosphere at the game. I'm kind of with BrennanFan on this one. Not only wearing red to support our team, but we've also made our point at the Costa Rica friendly. If (God forbid) we're eliminated from WC2010 with any home games remaining that WILL be the time to wear black in another demonstration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gian-Luca Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 quote:Originally posted by MediaGuy I'm not going to go into this now (again ), but I strongly believe that we are showing more support to the players on the pitch by wearing black. I was never overly comfortable with the black t-shirt protest back in September but gradually came around to the idea because it could do little harm in a friendly & could get the message out that the fans aren't happy. However, come WCQ I don't want our players to even be able to remember what the "CSA" initials stand for, let alone remind them that reform is needed while the game is on. There should only be one thing on our minds & our players minds, that is victory in World Cup Qualifying. All other distractions are un-wanted and un-welcome. The players know already that we're on their side & want things for the better for them. And I especially don't buy the argument at all that if someone shows up wearing Canadian colours & jerseys that they are somehow supporting the team less than someone who is wearing black. By choosing to wear the colours of the Canadian team I am indicating that supporting Canada team in their goal of qualifying for the World Cup is of the utmost concern for me. I don't see how wearing black as a symbol of despair against the soccer bureacracy is going to trump that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gian-Luca Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 quote:Originally posted by MediaGuy I'm not going to go into this now (again ), but I strongly believe that we are showing more support to the players on the pitch by wearing black. I was never overly comfortable with the black t-shirt protest back in September but gradually came around to the idea because it could do little harm in a friendly & could get the message out that the fans aren't happy. However, come WCQ I don't want our players to even be able to remember what the "CSA" initials stand for, let alone remind them that reform is needed while the game is on. There should only be one thing on our minds & our players minds, that is victory in World Cup Qualifying. All other distractions are un-wanted and un-welcome. The players know already that we're on their side & want things for the better for them. And I especially don't buy the argument at all that if someone shows up wearing Canadian colours & jerseys that they are somehow supporting the team less than someone who is wearing black. By choosing to wear the colours of the Canadian team I am indicating that supporting Canada team in their goal of qualifying for the World Cup is of the utmost concern for me. I don't see how wearing black as a symbol of despair against the soccer bureacracy is going to trump that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Gian-Luca I was never overly comfortable with the black t-shirt protest back in September but gradually came around to the idea because it could do little harm in a friendly & could get the message out that the fans aren't happy. However, come WCQ I don't our players to even be able to remember what the "CSA" initials stand for, let alone remind them that reform is needed while the game is on. There should only be one thing on our minds & our players minds, that is victory in World Cup Qualifying. All other distractions are un-wanted and un-welcome. The players know already that we're on their side & want things for the better for them. And I especially don't buy the argument at all that if someone shows up wearing Canadian colours & jerseys that they are somehow supporting the team less than someone who is wearing black. By choosing to wear the colours of the Canadian team I am indicating that supporting Canada team in their goal of qualifying for the World Cup is of the utmost concern for me. I don't see how wearing black as a symbol of despair against the soccer bureacracy is going to trump that. Exactly. During WCQ the players, fans and yes even the CSA need to be focused on one thing and one thing only, qualifying for the World Cup. To be quite honest I am as anti-CSA as any of the black shirt/CSF guys yet I have not been impressed at all by their proposed changes and methods of achieving them. These poorly thought out plans and methods have alienated many here who would probably be the first to support them. If they can't win us over how are they going to win over the general public/politicians/important figures who haven't been following the ineptitude that the CSA has been over the years. Any attempt to hijack what should be a celebration of Canadian soccer for their political protest would further alienate myself and probably many others from their cause. My advice to these people: no black shirt protest at WCQ games and re-think your proposals because you are not providing us with a desirable alternative to the CSA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Gian-Luca I was never overly comfortable with the black t-shirt protest back in September but gradually came around to the idea because it could do little harm in a friendly & could get the message out that the fans aren't happy. However, come WCQ I don't our players to even be able to remember what the "CSA" initials stand for, let alone remind them that reform is needed while the game is on. There should only be one thing on our minds & our players minds, that is victory in World Cup Qualifying. All other distractions are un-wanted and un-welcome. The players know already that we're on their side & want things for the better for them. And I especially don't buy the argument at all that if someone shows up wearing Canadian colours & jerseys that they are somehow supporting the team less than someone who is wearing black. By choosing to wear the colours of the Canadian team I am indicating that supporting Canada team in their goal of qualifying for the World Cup is of the utmost concern for me. I don't see how wearing black as a symbol of despair against the soccer bureacracy is going to trump that. Exactly. During WCQ the players, fans and yes even the CSA need to be focused on one thing and one thing only, qualifying for the World Cup. To be quite honest I am as anti-CSA as any of the black shirt/CSF guys yet I have not been impressed at all by their proposed changes and methods of achieving them. These poorly thought out plans and methods have alienated many here who would probably be the first to support them. If they can't win us over how are they going to win over the general public/politicians/important figures who haven't been following the ineptitude that the CSA has been over the years. Any attempt to hijack what should be a celebration of Canadian soccer for their political protest would further alienate myself and probably many others from their cause. My advice to these people: no black shirt protest at WCQ games and re-think your proposals because you are not providing us with a desirable alternative to the CSA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vancouver Fan Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 I need to be wearing red when supporting Canada during WCQ. Hopefuuly there will be another opportunity(home friendly)in order to organise a formal protest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BattalionFC Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Vancouver Fan I need to be wearing red when supporting Canada during WCQ. Hopefuuly there will be another opportunity(home friendly)in order to organise a formal protest. This is the correct answer... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeta Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 quote:Originally posted by BattalionFC This is the correct answer... Agreed. There is a time and place for everything. Think the Black Wednesday protest was a grand scheme, but I was on board early for that one so I may be biased. That being said when it comes time for our lads to play for real, like during World Cup Qualifying, there'll only ever be one colour and that colour is red. Allez les rouge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smeghead Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Sorry but but all these reasons to go back and stick your heads in the sand, and not continuing to protest the CSA during WCQ is playing right in the CSAs' hand. Do you guys think the players are stupid? That they dont know why we would still wear black? That those that do wear black arent fully behind the players? What has the CSA done that would get them a free pass during WCQ? I seen the same old **** so far. The CSA dont deserve a break. They players on the other hand, deserve a full house of Canada supporters no matter where they play in our country. I dont think they would give a **** if it was a sea of black. The CSA would though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duane Rollins1555362254 Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Gian-Luca And I especially don't buy the argument at all that if someone shows up wearing Canadian colours & jerseys that they are somehow supporting the team less than someone who is wearing black. And I especially don't buy the argument that if someone shows up wearing black as a protest against the CSA that they are somehow supporting the team less than someone who is wearing red. The colour of clothes we wear in the stands will have no impact whatsoever on the result on the pitch. It's faulty thinking to believe otherwise. There are only two groups that would notice black t-shirts--the CSA and the media. There are no groups that would notice a sea of red. But, as I've said a couple times already, WCQ black t-shirt protests will be left up to individuals. Unless there is a groundswell of support for having a formal protest, things will be kept low key. One caveat: If the CSA meeting in May results in something truly protest-worthy. As an aside...although the CSF initiative can be closely linked to many involved in the black t-shirt protest, it isn't one and the same. The CSF is an alternative model that a group of interested people presented, that's all. Wearing a black t-shirt does not mean that you fully support everything that the CSF document says. Rather, it means that you are expressing your dissatisfaction with the CSA and demanding that the organization reform itself, or get out of the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winnipeg Fury Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 I was all for wearing black when Canada played Costa Rica, and I have no problem with wearing black for every exhibition match. When it comes to wearing black for World Cup Qualifying, I am totally opposed. There can be no distractions, only one goal. As a side note, I think opposing teams will be very enthused at the prospect of Canadian fans not wearing red in protest. Clearly this spells a distraction for the team that the oppostion will try to capitalize on. Poorly timed and ill advised. There is no way the players will be in support of wearing black for World Cup Qualifying and certainly not this Voyageur. We don't wear red to support the CSA, we wear red to support Canada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L.T. Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Agreed... What is CSSU/CSFs 'official position'? If you agree with the 'no distractions for WCQ' policy, maybe you should make a public statement to that effect... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winnipeg Fury Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 quote:Originally posted by L.T. Agreed... What is CSSU/CSFs 'official position'? If you agree with the 'no distractions for WCQ' policy, maybe you should make a public statement to that effect... Exactly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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