Canada vs Venezuela (May 29th)

[Sam]

I agree with what Gian-Luca said in the Voyageurs front page blog. Whatever team you are playing just score a fcking goal tomorrow. If we don't tomorrow it will be more than a year since we have next time we play (against Peru at BMO)

Come on Canada!

[gator]

I agree that the squad we will be fielding for the Venezulea game is a bit thin, but we have to remember the bigger picture. Right now Hart is trying to establish some new blood for the team and some depth. While our "A" team is certianly a cut above these sides, I think Hart is doing the right thing. We need to undergo a rebuilding faze after the last WCQ disaster. Results are not the only important thing here. We are always saying the MNT needs to give more people a look.

Have to agree with you, how can we complain about any game we play? It's all good, we need to establish depth and play wherever, whoever at every opportunity!

[Gian-Luca]

I'm guessing a starting line-up, in a 4-5-1 with:

Klukowski-Hastings-Straith-Stalteri

Issey-Ledgerwood-Wassey-Borgeault-Jackson

Friend

Perhaps it will be more of a 4-3-3 with Issey & Jackson on the wings. Ademolu replaces Friend in the 2nd, Dunfield & McCallum coming into the centre of midfield in the 2nd half at some point, and Sidra at right back. Edited to add - my namesake and Pacheco are two other midfielders that should see some actions. Seems we have a lot of midfield players and very few options at the back for this game.

[Keegan]

That central midfield looks really weak, the back line doesn't look too bad however. I can't wait to see Straith start his first match, he looked good when he came on vs. Argentina a real bright spot

[Trillium]

I'm guessing a starting line-up, in a 4-5-1 with:

Klukowski-Hastings-Straith-Stalteri

Issey-Ledgerwood-Wassey-Borgeault-Jackson

Friend

Perhaps it will be more of a 4-3-3 with Issey & Jackson on the wings. Ademolu replaces Friend in the 2nd, Dunfield & McCallum coming into the centre of midfield in the 2nd half at some point, and Sidra at right back. Edited to add - my namesake and Pacheco are two other midfielders that should see some actions. Seems we have a lot of midfield players and very few options at the back for this game.

Why would you need to speclate ?

If as everyone seems to use as an excuse is we dont get our players together enough... and our results often show dis-organisation.. why would a player not know the formation before .. and yes a good coach in a club team with the players week to week can have various formations ... a National Coach in Canada with a moving set of players and opponents probably cant do that ..

Its time start applying a KISS principle to our National team to get them to qualify for 2014 in Brasil which has to be the goal.

If the CSA wants to reject that as the goal then do so and tell us its the U20s or u17s they want to win a world championship with....but they need to start working hard to get it done.

[Gian-Luca]

Why would you need to speclate ?

I don't know, could it be because I'm not the coach, nor am I the Amazing Kreskin and I therefore have no choice but to speculate since I don't what the starting line-up might be?

What a bizarre question.

[hottoddy7]

Looking at that roster I suspect we are going to get run again. No Midfield and Hastings again Fack!

[nolando]

What was that injury that Hastings picked up in Argentina?

Do we have any V's on the ground in Venezuela covering this for us?

[VPjr]

I've heard that our boys have not enjoyed the commute from ARG to Venezuela.

Here's hoping that these travel problems (not the CSA's fault) don't grenade our squad's ability to put on a decent show.

[the biologist]

Too much player turnover to build any sense of continuity/familiarity. Don't like the odds for improvement.

I have to agree with the following posters: THIS TIME is the best time to field D- or F- or Z-squad, whatever you call it. I mean, SA 2010 isn't started yet and we should already think about continuity ? Take it like we're not even in "pre-season" yet, but more like in an "inter-squad" tourney stage, with the advantage of playing against teams that give us REAL adversity, something good to have this early in the next WC cycle. But that doesn't mean that now we're not at square 1 nonetheless and the more we test the fresh faces now, the more it will pay dividends later that's for sure.

Bless their hearts but one word comes to mind: Underwhelming.

Underwhelming ? I understand what you mean but come on... How about Hastings and Stalteri ? Overwhelming maybe ? Of course not ! *Goose bumps* instead. That's not the kind of continuity we need anymore, certainly not at the beginning of the new cycle.

Yes, it was cool to have DeRo for the Argentina game. OK. But in no way it prevented the game to finish 5-0. You can argue that playing vs Argentina probably will be an once in a lifetime experience for him, especially since he's canadian, but everybody knows that if the CSA keeps on rolling friendlies speaking, DeRo will get every minute he needs to be 100% prepared for when it's gonna count the most.

The outcome, the entertainment we feel watching the game, if we finally score a f*cking goal, all of that hardly matters now. FWIW, I'm happy as well to see Straith be given some playing time, yes he gives us hope.

[Martyr]

A goal against Venezula would be great... but honestly a 0-0 draw would be a pretty good step forward as well. These players need to learn how to earn results away from home in hostile conditions. So I could see Hart setting up in a 4-5-1 again. However, I'm going to go out on a limb and predict we play 4-4-2 since we have four out and out forwards in the squad.

Goalkeeper:

It would be a big surprise if Wagenaar doesn't get the start over Al-Shaibani. Assuming Al-Shaibani has looked ok in the training sessions he might get the second half.

Defenders:

Stalteri was captain on Monday so I think he'll keep the armband and his right back position. Since Eddy Sidra is a right back so I imagine he'll come on for Stalteri in the second half. That leaves Hastings, Straith and Klukowski to fill out the rest of the back line.

Midfielders:

This is the most difficult area to predict but here goes... My best guest is a bank of four comprising of Zavarise, Ledgerwood, Beulieu-Bourgault and Nakajima-Farran. Ledgerwood started against Argentina so I think he will again here. Beulieu-Bourgault specializes as a holding player which fits in well with a game plan of shutting down the opposition. I know Zavarise is a midfielder but I don't know if he plays wide in the middle. Nakajima-Farran might be allowed to occassionally push forward to combine with the two forwards. This leaves Wassey, Dunfield and Pacheo on the bench. If we were at home I think Wassey would get the nod ahead of Zavarise or Pacheo as he seems to be more of an attacking player. Perhaps he could be a good option to come off the bench and create a goal in the second half. I really have no clue about Pacheo, which is the only reason I've put him on the bench. I hope Dunfield surprises, but given his playing history here in England I just don't see him impressing enough to get the start.

Forwards:

Friend is a lock to start if healthy. I'd like to see Friend and Jackson get the chance to work together if it is a 4-4-2 with Ademolu getting on for one of them early in the 2nd half and McCallum having a go in the last 10 minutes.

[gator]

^ I would also like to see Friend and Jackson playing together, they haven't been used that way very often! I know we must learn how to grind out 0-0 results away from home but this is an experimental lineup missing severral members of our side that will be trying to qualify for 2014! It is important for Friend and Jackson to find some chemistry, hopefully we will see some good attacking play!

[Trillium]

I've heard that our boys have not enjoyed the commute from ARG to Venezuela.

Here's hoping that these travel problems (not the CSA's fault) don't grenade our squad's ability to put on a decent show.

I flew out of BA on the morning of the 27 using GOL airlines, was in Caracas by four in the afternoon, then took the overnite bus to Merida here for about noon.

Caracas appears to be a very un-indearing cities, the bus ride was long and had lots of stops for various reasons including identification checks... my passport just got a nod.

Merida is a small city very spread out in valleys, the center is ¨historic¨ small tight streets, quality of hotels seems dicy, i am in a Pousada at 135 pesos roughly 30 dollars, hot water, tv with cable, but the wifi does not work .. they think it will be on next week.

But they had assured me they had it, it just does not work.

So one of those mind bend things

Downtown had nice outdoor concert by a orchestra they are big on classical music here as part of the socialist movement.. and right near by was a free food give away by the ruling party ... you see Chavez on a lot of posters.

I like the bike police here.. you see a lot of good on the ground visibility of local police on bikes talking or walking.

Town feels pretty safe, but its daytime so who knows what night time is like.

Banks are few and far between and seem packed, and there is no on street cambio for dollars to pesos, apparently a recent crackdown has pushed things under for a bit.

Going to walk to the stadium ... and see what it is like.

[Toronto MB]

Ok, well given what we have available, I figured I would get my Stephen Hart on and try draw up a line-up.

This is no better than our C+ line-up, and I would be very surprised to get a result, but hey another good experience for the kids.

------------Wagenaar/Al-Shaibani (split halves)-----

Sidra--------Straith---------Hastings-------Klukowski

---------------------Ledgerwood-----------------------

Stalteri--------------Pacheco-------Nakajima-Farran

-----------------Jackson--------------------------------

----------------------------Friend----------------------

The rationale:

- We have more depth at the back than in the midfield, so let's pull Stalteri forward to the right side of midfield. IIRC he had a stellar display in that position against Mexico in Edmonton in 2008.

- Let's go with a 4-4-2 to allow us to get our two best attacking players on the position, and to keep Friend from getting isolated again. Jacko and Friend are likely our strike pair for the next cycle of WCQ too.

- Let's have a good long look at Pacheco, given that he came off the bench against Argentina, Hart must like what's he's seen in training

- I was torn between Issey and McCallum on the far side, but I figured give Issey the 1st half and if he sucks bring on McCallum

Thoughts?

[El Hombre]

- Let's have a good long look at Pacheco, given that he came off the bench against Argentina, Hart must like what's he's seen in training

Nothing I have seen indicates that Pacheco actually got minutes against Argentina. Where are people getting the idea that he palyed? I don't remember seeing him come on while watching nor can I find anything indicating he played in any of the CSA match reports. I don't think he actually got on the field.

[gator]

Ok, well given what we have available, I figured I would get my Stephen Hart on and try draw up a line-up.

This is no better than our C+ line-up, and I would be very surprised to get a result, but hey another good experience for the kids.

------------Wagenaar/Al-Shaibani (split halves)-----

Sidra--------Straith---------Hastings-------Klukowski

---------------------Ledgerwood-----------------------

Stalteri--------------Pacheco-------Nakajima-Farran

-----------------Jackson--------------------------------

----------------------------Friend----------------------

The rationale:

- We have more depth at the back than in the midfield, so let's pull Stalteri forward to the right side of midfield. IIRC he had a stellar display in that position against Mexico in Edmonton in 2008.

- Let's go with a 4-4-2 to allow us to get our two best attacking players on the position, and to keep Friend from getting isolated again. Jacko and Friend are likely our strike pair for the next cycle of WCQ too.

- Let's have a good long look at Pacheco, given that he came off the bench against Argentina, Hart must like what's he's seen in training

- I was torn between Issey and McCallum on the far side, but I figured give Issey the 1st half and if he sucks bring on McCallum

Thoughts?

I like it! You know that Stalteri is going to start but I really want to see Sidra at RB! Stalteri has put in some good performances when played on the right side of midfield! I didn't see enough of Pacheo to form an opinion one way or another but as you said there are other options if it isn't working out! As I mentioned in my previous post we must see Friend and Jackson paired up! Good lineup IMO!

[guppy]

Nothing I have seen indicates that Pacheco actually got minutes against Argentina. Where are people getting the idea that he palyed? I don't remember seeing him come on while watching nor can I find anything indicating he played in any of the CSA match reports. I don't think he actually got on the field.

LineupsThe Associated Press, Buenos Aires

Argentina: Sergio Romero, Jonas Gutierrez, Nicolas Burdisso, Nicolas Otamendi, Gabriel Heinze (Clemente Rodriquez 59), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Juan Sebastian Veron 45), Javier Mascherano (Mario Bolatti 59) Angel Di Maria, Javier Pastore (Ariel Garce 74), Gonzalo Higuain (Martin Palermo 68), Carlos Tevez (Sergio Aguero 70).

Canada: Patrick Onstad, Paul Staltieri, Richard Hastings (Adam Smith 79), Andre Hainault, Mike Klukowski, William Johnson (Pedro Pacheco 84), Nik Ledgerwood (Jaime Peters 55), Daniel Imhof, Dwayne De Rosario (Stephen Ademolu 87), Josh Simpson, Rob Friend (Simeon Jackson 65).

Referee: Victor Rivera (Peru).

[BearcatSA]

I have to agree with the following posters: THIS TIME is the best time to field D- or F- or Z-squad, whatever you call it. I mean, SA 2010 isn't started yet and we should already think about continuity ? Take it like we're not even in "pre-season" yet, but more like in an "inter-squad" tourney stage, with the advantage of playing against teams that give us REAL adversity, something good to have this early in the next WC cycle. But that doesn't mean that now we're not at square 1 nonetheless and the more we test the fresh faces now, the more it will pay dividends later that's for sure.

To clarify my train of thought, in the Argentina match thread I guessed that the big thing for Hart to see with the many of the different newer faces in camp for these respective matches is whether or not they have the skillset, mindset, and athletic ability for this level. For some of these guys it may be their only caps at the senior level, and others might show enough to warrant a future call up. I'd like to see how a guy like Straith does with a start under his belt, for instance.

So yes, let's find out what guys have "the goods" for the task. I have stated before that his big mandate should be to build depth and competition for spots and this match should be viewed in that light, regardless of scoreline.

[nolando]

well it seems we won t see a 6th keeper as Lars will be in Venezuela:

http://www.vif-fotball.no/article2910524.ece

You had me confused here but unless I am missing something this is confirmation that he ISN'T coming to play for Canada:

"It's a great honor to represent his country, and I hope I get a chance later, but right now I focus on my job at Vålerenga which after all is the most important."

http://www.vif-fotball.no/article2910524.ece

[nolando]

LineupsThe Associated Press, Buenos Aires

Canada: Patrick Onstad, Paul Staltieri, Richard Hastings (Adam Smith 79), Andre Hainault, Mike Klukowski, William Johnson (Pedro Pacheco 84), Nik Ledgerwood (Jaime Peters 55), Daniel Imhof, Dwayne De Rosario (Stephen Ademolu 87), Josh Simpson, Rob Friend (Simeon Jackson 65).

Referee: Victor Rivera (Peru).

Where on the pitch did he play?

[Martyr]

- I was torn between Issey and McCallum on the far side, but I figured give Issey the 1st half and if he sucks bring on McCallum

McCallum seems to only play as a striker with Hereford. Is he leftfooted? Wassey is apparently a lefty, so also be an option out there... But as he plays centrally for his club I wouldn't expect much in terms of crossing the ball.

I also hadn't realized Pacheo got on at the end of the Argentina match. I imagine if he replaced Johnson he played down the right. The only thing I don't like about Stalteri AND Sidra starting is that there are no defenders among the substitutes.

[nolando]

A goal against Venezula would be great... but honestly a 0-0 draw would be a pretty good step forward as well. These players need to learn how to earn results away from home in hostile conditions. So I could see Hart setting up in a 4-5-1 again. However, I'm going to go out on a limb and predict we play 4-4-2 since we have four out and out forwards in the squad.

Goalkeeper:

It would be a big surprise if Wagenaar doesn't get the start over Al-Shaibani. Assuming Al-Shaibani has looked ok in the training sessions he might get the second half.

Is this a prediction or a proposal? While it might be an accurate prediction as Josh sems to be one of those guys we never give up on, IIRC he didn't play a minute of league action this season (and then was promptly released) and Haider finished the season in great form playing in all of his side's league games.

I don't see a difficult decision there at all myself.

Give him the whole game or nothing at all (he's not a striker after all, in which case he might be able to show something in 45 min) - these are new teammates that he needs to try to learn to play behind, a coach with whom he needs to make an impression.

Like Monsalve before, his club form has earned him a call-up and the circumstances seem to point towards him playing the whole game like Monsalve did.

As an aside, I wonder if in ten years time, the entire MNT will be made up of players with hyphenated surnames, all with three national sides to choose from.

[Unnamed Trialist]

Pacheco played smack in the middle if I recall correctly.

I am surprised many did not realize he was on at all. I watched Iraq tv in English online, with a sole English play by play man who sounded familiar, was very knowledgeable, did not miss a single sub or err, and went into great detail about our 86 WC team. Was I lucky or what?

Hart, my friends, should be thinking about a result. You always have to think about a result, about winning if you can. I appreciate given the call-up you have to play some guys who went down for the trip and are dedicated in training, but I hope Hart is thinking: "how can we beat these guys?". Venezuela for sure is thinking that about us.

That a player like McCallum is even there is an insult to the whole program, no Div II striker in North America could be less capable or deserving. Let him take a step up with his club or get a richer contract, then call him up, otherwise you are just sending out the message that any player for the simple fact he is in Europe deserves to represent the country, even if he's coming from a 4th tier or lower.

[Gian-Luca]

Pacheco played smack in the middle if I recall correctly.

I am surprised many did not realize he was on at all.

Our feed in Canada didn't show the sub - the Argentinian's supplied it, and they were busy showing Maradona and Messi laughing on the sidelines by this point in the game. Because Craig & Gerry were calling the game from a studio in Toronto, they didn't see it either. I haven't re-watched my tape, so I'm not even sure if he got a touch on the ball either. Hopefully we see a bit more of him tomorrow.

[nolando]

Some interesting tidbits out of the Venezuelan press:

-"So far this year, the Venezuelan team has had two wins and three draws against Japan's World Cup team (0-0), North Korea (2-1 and 1-1), Honduras (1-0) and Chile (0-0). Panama with a score of 2-1 gave them their only loss so far of 2010."

-only 500 tix sold as of Wednesday

-training was interrupted by power outages

-Ven expected to play a 4-3-3 attacking formation featuring many of their young stars from last year's U-20 team:

“Este semestre ha servido para ensayar nuevas figuras tácticas, entre ellas el 4-3-3”, dijo Farías. “Nos propusimos defendernos mejor y atacar mejor, y eso se está viendo”, añadió.