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Canada-Honduras (Failed WCQ) Post-mortem articles


nolando

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Knight: Time to abolish the CSA

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081012.WBsoccerblog20081012114057/WBStory/WBsoccerblog

I'm asking you, Jim Brennan – and you, Dwayne de Rosario. Paul Stalteri, Iain Hume, Tomasz Radzinksi have all had long and colourful dealings with the mess in Ottawa. Let's hear from you, gentlemen. Do you really want the next generation of Canadian World Cup hopefuls to have to go through this, too?

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Major League Soccer Talk: Canadian National Team: Hopeless

Despite the recent strides made by club football in Canada: the admission of Toronto FC to MLS, the sharp play of the Montreal Impact in the CONCACAF Champions League and the Vancouver Whitecaps continued semi-domination of USL-1, Canada’s national team continues to be hopeless.

Why is this? From a pure talent standpoint, looking at the starting XI Canada can rival anyone in CONCACAF other than Mexico. In fact it can be strongly argued that the Canadians have more talent in their starting XI than the US or Costa Rica, and yet those two nations are much more successful than Canada in every way possible.

Canada has since 2000 fared very well in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, winning once and reaching the semifinals twice. After all that is short event that requires no long term preperation or planning. Canada is one of three nations that does not have to qualify for the Gold Cup, along with the US and Mexico. However when Canada is thrown into a situation where matches are spread over a long period of time they are almost always hopeless. That’s why despite my belief of the high quality of Canada’s current talent, I did not believe the side had a snowball’s chance of getting out of CONCACAF’s group of death featuring Honduras, Mexico and Jamaica. In this group Canada has one point through four matches despite under Dale Mitchell playing attractive and honestly entertaining football.

The Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) is a dysfunctional entity no doubt. But that alone cannot account for Canada’s poor performances and early elimination in three consecutive World Cup qualifying campaigns, or can it? I’d love to hear from Canadian listeners and readers as to why this situation continues to get worse and worse.

http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/canadian-national-team-hopeless/469

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Edmonton Journal: Mitchell should pay price for failed World Cup bid

Now, soccer players are a whiny lot at the best of times, and these are hardly the best of times. So you have to take their complaints with a shaker of salt. After all, they complained about having to play on Toronto's artificial turf and in Edmonton's cold. They wanted all their qualifying games in Montreal's Saputo Stadium, then moaned about the crowd there being pro-Honduras.

It was all a bit pathetic.

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http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/sports/story.html?id=759986da-63e3-4719-a611-c6cb491e28ff

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The time is 1:03PM Pacific time, and the CSA official website has no article about the game. On the main page, where one can select English or French, they have the score listed amongst the other WCQ scores, but no lineup from the game, no headline, no anything. The game ended more than sixteen hours ago.

Failure.

Edit: So I clicked the link under the headline "Canada Makes Final Preparations in Honduras" and it took me to an article about the game. Clearly I jumped the gun. That said, shouldn't the main headline be reflective of the game having ended, and not about pre-game information?

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Devos: World Cup disappointment: Canada just isn't good enough

"...

I have read all sorts of reports recently, from both the media and supporters alike, questioning whether or not these players have the heart to play for Canada, whether or not they are a bunch of overpaid, whining prima donnas. This is an accusation that really bothers me. Maybe this story will put it into context.

When I put in a transfer request to leave Dundee United in 2001, I could have gone to a number of good clubs in England. A few eyebrows were raised when I signed for unfashionable Wigan, then in the second division, two levels below the Premier League. You want to know one of the reasons I signed for them?

Wigan were the only club - the ONLY club - who didn't insist that I retire from international football if I signed for them. Every other club that I spoke to wanted an agreement in place that at the age of 27, while I was captaining my country, that I would never play for Canada again.

Luckily for me, Paul Jewell was a great manager who understood what playing for my country meant to me. I had three very enjoyable years at Wigan, a club that has since gone on to bigger and better things.

..."

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/blogs/2008/10/world_cup_disappointment_canad.html

Wow - this is a fascinating read - the guy is being from-the-gut honest

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quote:Originally posted by nolando

Devos: World Cup disappointment: Canada just isn't good enough

"...

I have read all sorts of reports recently, from both the media and supporters alike, questioning whether or not these players have the heart to play for Canada, whether or not they are a bunch of overpaid, whining prima donnas. This is an accusation that really bothers me. Maybe this story will put it into context.

When I put in a transfer request to leave Dundee United in 2001, I could have gone to a number of good clubs in England. A few eyebrows were raised when I signed for unfashionable Wigan, then in the second division, two levels below the Premier League. You want to know one of the reasons I signed for them?

Wigan were the only club - the ONLY club - who didn't insist that I retire from international football if I signed for them. Every other club that I spoke to wanted an agreement in place that at the age of 27, while I was captaining my country, that I would never play for Canada again.

Luckily for me, Paul Jewell was a great manager who understood what playing for my country meant to me. I had three very enjoyable years at Wigan, a club that has since gone on to bigger and better things.

..."

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/blogs/2008/10/world_cup_disappointment_canad.html

Wow - this is a fascinating read - the guy is being from-the-gut honest

Very weak research from JdV who forgot to mention that the MTL Impact had a game at Stade Saputo on August 20th. So it was impossible to play all the games in MTL...

I also fail to see what is the problem with the Jamaica game in Toronto, to me that was a huge success crowd wise. Also while adressing the question of the home advantage someone should mention how unfair it is for the CSA to have to deal with that since we must be one of the few country in the world (with the USA) who has to face that kind of logistic nightmare for every game.

BTW, the USA have played their 3 games in Illinois, Washington DC and Colorado...I haven't heard them whinning about it, but according to JdV and some V's they should.

As for his last point, I think he missed what was discussed here. I don't think many people are questionning the players commitment to Canada. We are questionning their attitude or approach toward their coaches and the WCQ campaign. In the end, I don't think our euro base players are living different experiences than Jamaicans or Hondurans who are playing in Europe.

BTW, intersting story about Wigan.

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I also fail to see what is the problem with the Jamaica game in Toronto, to me that was a huge success crowd wise. Also while adressing the question of the home advantage someone should mention how unfair it is for the CSA to have to deal with that since we must be one of the few country in the world (with the USA) who has to face that kind of logistic nightmare for every game.

De Vo is making the point that the Toronto game choice was to generate revenue - not to win. Why else would you choose the city with the highest population of Jamaican's?

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World Cup dream sinks in sea of blame -Stephen Brunt

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081012.brunt13-web/GSStory/GlobeSportsSoccer/home

A snippet from the middle of the column

...

It's one thing to fail to make it to the World Cup. As coach Dale Mitchell never tires of pointing out, it is an extremely difficult challenge.

It's another to be out of contention almost two calendar years out, as has been the case for Canada the lasts three go-rounds.

Should they have made it this time? That was always going to be a long shot, requiring both a maximum contribution from the players available and a bit of good luck.

Should they have at least made it to the final round? Absolutely.

...

Thanks for the other articles guys.

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quote:Originally posted by pRoke

World Cup dream sinks in sea of blame -Stephen Brunt

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081012.brunt13-web/GSStory/GlobeSportsSoccer/home

A snippet from the middle of the column

...

It's one thing to fail to make it to the World Cup. As coach Dale Mitchell never tires of pointing out, it is an extremely difficult challenge.

It's another to be out of contention almost two calendar years out, as has been the case for Canada the lasts three go-rounds.

Should they have made it this time? That was always going to be a long shot, requiring both a maximum contribution from the players available and a bit of good luck.

Should they have at least made it to the final round? Absolutely.

...

Thanks for the other articles guys.

I have a ton of respect for Stephen Brunt and his article is probably the best one I've seen to describe the malaise we find ourselves in today. Something has to be done with the CSA before the 2014 campaign, unfortunately, i fear nothing will.

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quote:Originally posted by JamboAl

I have a ton of respect for Stephen Brunt and his article is probably the best one I've seen to describe the malaise we find ourselves in today. Something has to be done with the CSA before the 2014 campaign, unfortunately, i fear nothing will.

I read Stephen Brunt's article. It was a good commentary on the situation that exists within Canadian MNT. He is a clever writer with a nose for soccer. Brunt is well respected in the Canadian sport journalism realm and yet doesn't spend as much time writing or commenting on the subject as he should.

I agree with JamboAl in that the positions within the CSA are so deeply entrenched that nothing will be done before the next WCQ. :(

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quote:Originally posted by Lennie

I read Stephen Brunt's article. It was a good commentary on the situation that exists within Canadian MNT. He is a clever writer with a nose for soccer. Brunt is well respected in the Canadian sport journalism realm and yet doesn't spend as much time writing or commenting on the subject as he should.

I agree with JamboAl in that the positions within the CSA are so deeply entrenched that nothing will be done before the next WCQ. :(

Brunt is the best sports writer in Canada. And the fact that he covers soccer makes him even better.

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quote:Originally posted by superbrad

I also fail to see what is the problem with the Jamaica game in Toronto, to me that was a huge success crowd wise. Also while adressing the question of the home advantage someone should mention how unfair it is for the CSA to have to deal with that since we must be one of the few country in the world (with the USA) who has to face that kind of logistic nightmare for every game.

De Vo is making the point that the Toronto game choice was to generate revenue - not to win. Why else would you choose the city with the highest population of Jamaican's?

Well, that's pure speculation on his part and all the other venues had their disadvantages (MTL impossible, Edmonton too far, not sure about the other possibilities). And maybe the CSA trusted the RPB and the U-sector for this one.

Anyways, our team played at home with a great home crowd on that day, so what's the problem? If there's one game they should be complaining about it's Honduras in MTL...not Jamaica in Toronto.

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I think we all need to look at the manifesto of th Canadian Soccer Federation.com and more importantly.We need to separate the soccer mom's and dad's which is our grass roots and the world stage of competitive soccer.More importantly we all need to write our local MP and demand a review and request for abolishment of the CSA.

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quote:Originally posted by kirkbra

I think we all need to look at the manifesto of th Canadian Soccer Federation.com and more importantly.We need to separate the soccer mom's and dad's which is our grass roots and the world stage of competitive soccer.

Your first sentence is not compatible with the second sentence. That's not the way I read the CSF manifesto and that is why some or many had issues with it. The CSF manifesto said nothing about the national teams or elite level soccer other than lip service

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Canadian coach won't resign in wake of World Cup soccer failure

Canadian soccer coach Dale Mitchell says he has no plans to step down in the wake of Canada's latest failure to reach the World Cup.

But Mitchell lost the services of another player - at least temporarily - after electing not to summon Dwayne De Rosario for Wednesday's game with Mexico following a discussion with the influential Houston Dynamo attacking midfielder.

"It was a good conversation and I prefer to leave it at that," Mitchell said Monday night from Edmonton.

De Rosario, who missed the last game through suspension, was quoted in a national newspaper Saturday questioning Mitchell's appointment as coach.

Asked if De Rosario will play for him again, Mitchell said he had promised they would speak again after Wednesday's game against Mexico in Edmonton. "I think we'll see where we are then.

"But the conversation I had with him, I felt quite good about and I don't have any personal problems with Dwayne. I think the future is completely open."

The future, at least under Mitchell, does not include disgruntled defender Jim Brennan, who spoke out last week after not being included in the squad. And it doesn't include De Rosario for the Mexico game at least.

Canada fell off the World Cup qualifying road with a 3-1 loss in Honduras on Saturday night. The Canadians (0-3-1) have two games left but have no chance of advancing to the final round of qualifying in the CONCACAF region, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Mitchell, 50, took over as coach in May 2007 and his contract runs through the 2010 World Cup. He said he had no intention of resigning, but also conceded he had no knowledge of the future.

"I have no idea. I have a contract with a certain amount of time on it. After the qualifying process is done, I imagine I'd speak with the (Canadian Soccer) association about where they see the future."

His record as coach is 3-6-4 with two of the wins coming over St. Vincent & the Grenadines and the other over Martinique.

"We're playing for pride," Mitchell said of the remaining qualifying games against Mexico and Jamaica, in November. "I think there are players here that want to show they want to be part of the future - whatever age they are."

Midfielder Atiba Hutchinson and striker Rob Friend have been allowed to rejoin their clubs in Europe. Called into camp are defender Adrian Serioux, who missed the Honduras game through suspension and Vancouver Whitecaps striker Charles Gbeke.

Given there are two games remaining, Mitchell was reluctant to criticize naysayers or speak out.

"I'd prefer to focus on the guys that are here. Some of them aren't here but they have given a lot to the cause. Frustration can make certain people react in a certain way. Human nature is what it is, and it's part and parcel of the deal at this level. But for the most part I don't have many complaints."

Mitchell also said he was realistic about the resources of the Canadian Soccer Association.

"I know what it is. I know that the CSA has in terms of dollars in the coffers, I believe. And with the number of teams that need to be supported, it's not a lot. It's not enough. But this team has had a good preparation. We've had time together. Obviously we would like to be able to do more, but that to me doesn't affect what has happened here.

"At the end of the day, you've got to go on the field and be able to get the results. And as much as we have a good group right now, a good group of guys, we haven't been able to do that and that's international soccer at the highest level."

Asked if the Canadian team had performed up to potential, Mitchell demurred - saying he was not ready to critique the qualifying round with two games left.

Gbeke, part of a national team camp in January, scored both goals and was named MVP in the Whitecaps' 2-1 win over Puerto Rico in the USL championship game Sunday.

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jpJ_WvRdgauW2WlDPSKR1iF-FQLw

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"It was a good conversation and I prefer to leave it at that," Mitchell said Monday night from Edmonton.

DM: Hi, this is Dale Mitchell, head coach of the Canadian National Team calling. I was wondering if the man of the house is...

DDR: It's me, Dale. Cut the crap. Look - I'm not playing for you ever again. Period.

DM: Umm, well, okay, right.(nervous laugh) Ok, well, that's fine, Dwayne. That's international soccer at the highest level, when it comes right down to it.

DDR: And another thing - if you rip me in the press I will come and rip you a new asshole. You, here me, man?

DM: Righto. Well, Dwayne, I just wanted to say on behalf of the entire t-

DDR: -dial tone-

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Best forgotten…

BobbyMcMahon's Blog

Another Canadian World Cup qualifying failure and there is more than enough blame to go around. Most of it is following on the shoulders of Coach Dale Mitchell. The merits … or not … of Mitchell are being debated by Canadian supporters and in the last few days some high profile players have shown little hesitation to stick the boot in. Coaches are paid to bring success and for that reason alone Mitchell will be fired although it is difficult to see who in their right mind would now take on the job.

Underlying another qualifying failure is the Canadian Soccer Association – an organization that has been inadequately led at the board and staff level for as long as most Canadian fans can remember. The dysfunctional leadership has shown itself to be totally incapable of making the changes that are needed to bring the governance of the association into line with the needs of the last century let alone this one.

A volunteer board of directors that in most countries would not be allowed to control a Sunday morning pub team appoints senior staff including the national team coach. A governance and performance study done a few years back by external consultants has been largely ignored which only goes to prove the old adage that the people that get you into problems are never the ones equipped to get you out.

You can blame the players, you can blame the coach but if you do the real villains in blazers are going to get away scot-free once again. In this case this is something that should not be forgotten.

http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/BobbyMcMahon

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