Pan Am Games Toronto 2015

[xabuep2]

Will Canada be able to defense its gold medal ?

Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and Costa Rica will use almost the same players who participated in the WWC. On the other hand, Argentina, T&T will play with their best pool of players. No clue about Brazil.

[tc-in-bc]

Here is Brazil's Pan-Am Games  roster :

 

http://selecao.cbf.com.br/noticias/selecao-feminina/marta-no-futebol-nao-ha-tempo-para-sofrimento#.VZHbLVLVFsX

 

 

No Marta though. She has to go back to her Swedish club. which is a bit odd considering that she did a little bit of local Pan-Am Games promotion when Brazil arrived in Canada for the WWC in early June.

 

UPDATE :

 

- Mexico will be bringing their four NWSL players: Sky Blue forward Monica Ocampa, Boston Breakers defender Bianca Sierra, Washington Spirit defender Ari Romero, and Washington Spirit midfielder Veronica Perez. In addition, outspoken striker Charlyn Corral ( who some thought that she would be banned) will be going.

 

- No Yoreli Rincon for Colombia. She's joining her new club Avaldsnes in the Toppserien.

 

- Costa Rica will be bringing their full senior squad including PSG midfielder Shirley Cruz..

 

- Trinidad and Tobago's roster includes central defender ( since 2010 ) Arin King who was born and raised in Toronto.

 

Second UPDATE :

 

- Charlyn Corral, who recently signed with Levant UD in the Primera Division de la Liga de Futbol Femenino (Spain's top flight league),  will not play in the Pan Am games  after all because she has contracted  chickenpox and has been pulled from Mexico's team. (July 9, 2015)

[-Hammer-]

Do we want to all say that 108 is going to be the defacto supporters section?

[tc-in-bc]

[ 1 ] Possible U 23 CANWNT formation for the Pan Am games:

 

                                                                         Ezurike                             Prince

                                                                                                                ( Carle )

                                                       Beckie                                                                    Fletcher

                                                                                                                                  ( Levasseur )

                                                                          Lawrence                      Fleming

                                                                             ( Wu )                      (   Kizner   )

                                                       

                                                       McNicol          Zadorsky              Buchanan              Pickett

                                                     ( Stewart )        ( Quinn )      

     

                                                                                            Labbe

                                                                                        (  Sheridan )

 

[ 2 ] No Sura Yekka because of a commitment to the University of Michigan. That's too bad, at both the U17 and U20 WWCs Sura Yekka took on opponents and combined well with her team mates in the front and the middle thirds of the pitch -- granted her defensive awareness needed some work. Overall, Canada will miss her speed and skill on the right side.

 

[ 3 ] This is an opportunity for Shelina Zadorsky to become a more regular part of the (senior ) CANWNT.  Canada is looking for a left-footed centerback to play next to Kadeisha Buchanan and Zadorsky may fit the bill.

 

[ 4 ] U 23 CANWNT  have not played any games together as a complete group. In contrast, five of the opponent countries ( Ecuador, Costa Rica,Mexico,Colombia and Brazil )  have recently played  at a very HIGH  level in the 2015 WWC AND  they arrive at the 2015 Pan Am games with most of their squads intact.

 

[ 5 ] Canada's opening  Pan Am game is against Ecuador and a convincing, morale-boosting victory would be expected. After all, Ecuador were the worst team in the 2015 WWC finishing in 24th place ( dead last ). Pre- tournament Ecuador drew 1 - 1 in a practice game with UBC Thunderbirds. In addition, during group stage, Ecuador were beaten heavily by Cameroon and Switzerland. But, in their last group stage game Ecuador only lost to Japan 0 - 1.  Japan may not have tried that hard, but Ecuador may deserve credit for bunkering effectively. {   Ecuador played a 1-4-1-4 which under pressure became nine players sitting deep with a lone striker ( Quinteros ) up high   } Consequently, Canada could have a difficult time trying to break Ecuador down.

[rkomar]

Isn't Labbe too old for U23?  I don't know, but it seems like she's been with the senior side for ages.  Wouldn't D'Angelo be better age-wise?

[The Ref]

Isn't Labbe too old for U23?  I don't know, but it seems like she's been with the senior side for ages.  Wouldn't D'Angelo be better age-wise?

Regardless of age IMHO Sabrina is a far better keeper than Stephanie.

[tc-in-bc]

Sorry about that. The Pan Am games rosters for soccer have been out for a few weeks now:

 

http://panam.cbc.ca/news/article/article=canada-pan-soccer-teams-hope-for-continued-success.html

 

 

It's true, they don't seem to be following the U 23 designation too strictly because Stephanie Labbe is 28 years old.

 

 

Sabrina D' Angelo was injured in mid May and has yet to return to action for the Western New York Flash:

 

http://equalizersoccer.com/2015/05/18/flashs-dangelo-to-miss-2-4-weeks/

[rkomar]

It'll be interesting to see if the forwards have improved over the last couple of years.  Our goalkeepers, backs and midfielders were good in recent Uxx tournaments, but the poor finishing of the forwards let them down.  That's something that can be worked on, so I'm keen to see if it was.

[Vic]

Monica Ocampo must be 30.  

 

Canada's "B" team is students.  A statement on women's soccer in Canada.

 

Love to see Colombia again, they were so entertaining.

[67soccer]

Regardless of age IMHO Sabrina is a far better keeper than Stephanie.

Agree

[nfitz]

The women's tournament isn't U23.  They could have played the same squad as the Women's World Cup if they'd wanted too.  Perhaps the should of, given the long break they've had since Canada's last game ...

[Blackdude]

If D'Angelo wasn't injured, she would be in the squad IMO.

[tc-in-bc]

re. U 23

 

[ 1 ] It's true, this is not a U 23  tournament, but Canada is sending an  " Olympic Developmental  U18/U23 squad (#canW23) " instead of the veteran-laden senior squad that just played in the WWC:

 

 http://www.canadasoccer.com/canada-to-focus-on-olympic-development-at-2015-pan-am-games-p1577

 

 

[ 2 ] Given that most of the NWSL clubs are in tight races and want all of their allocated players back --  the NWSL would have been displeased with the CSA if  all allocated Canadian players  played in the Pan Am games.

[Vic]

The whole purpose of the NWSL is over.  It was arguably failure this year anyway (list of players below, you decide).  The money is embarrassing for the women.  It should be up to players to decide if they want to go back or do other things with their lives.  Players should have the option.

 

Boston Breakers
Nkem Ezurike * 

Chicago Red Stars
Karina LeBlanc
Adriana Leon
Melissa Tancredi
Rachel Quon 

Houston Dash
Allysha Chapman *
Erin McLeod
Lauren Sesselmann 

Portland Thorns FC
Christine Sinclair
Kaylyn Kyle
Rhian Wilkinson * 

Sky Blue FC
Jonelle Filigno 

Washington Spirit
Diana Matheson 

[tc-in-bc]

re. NWSL players

 

I tend to agree.  I have mixed feeling about the NWSL. I enjoy the free streams and I enjoy cheering the Canadians who play in the NWSL but Canada is not geting a lot of player development/ youth development from this league. Yet the CSA , for now, supports the NWSL, and all the players who are being paid the allocation money are obligated to do likewise. In addition, there are Olympic roster spots up for grabs and players like Lauren Sesselmann, Melissa Tancredi, Adriana Leon, Jonelle FIligno etc. need to have a good NWSL half-season to show John Herdman that they deserve consideration for future selection. Overall I think that the allocated Canadian players who are in the NWSL WANT  to be there and the option to not play in the NWSL was available for the players before the NWSL  season began -- when allocations came out in January,  Sophie Schmidt chose not to return  to Sky Blue FC. And two years ago Desiree Scott refused allocation to the NWSL  in favour of a  FAWSL  contract with Notts County Ladies.

[Vic]

How they play now should have nothing to do with Olympic selection.  That should be who shows form early next summer - i.e. a year from now.  If someone wants to go play, great, go for it.  But if someone wants to do something else, similar.

[tc-in-bc]

I beg to differ. The 2016 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying tournament begins on January 21, 2016. A half year from now. This a relatively  short window for John Herdman to assemble a competitve  team.  Clearly, NWSL performances are being pitted again Pan Am games performances. Ostensibly this very young  Pan Am games roster is being projected for the 2019/2020 cycle but the CSA  also hopes to accelerate/promote  some new faces for the Olympic CANWNT  team. I should think that any veterans who want to keep their roster spot would want to show a "good performance" as soon possible. If Melissa Tancredi were to run off ten goals in ten games for the Chicago Red Stars  then she would be a strong contender to make  the team. As for choice, it's true everybody has metaphysical freedom -- nobody can force you to do something that you don't want to do. But I think all of these players  want to be on THAT team and the fight for those roster spots begins now.

[Vic]

If someone shows up in camp playing great, they're in.

[mtlfan]

.......... new faces for the Olympic CANWNT  team. I should think that any veterans who want to keep their roster spot would want to show a "good performance" as soon possible. If Melissa Tancredi were to run off ten goals in ten games for the Chicago Red Stars  then she would be a strong contender to make  the team....

 

That's not going to happen. She's done, clear the decks with the 30 + crowd with a few exceptions. Herdman brought players to the WWC he had no intention of using. Gayle, Zurrer, and Nault for example. Hopefully the Pam Am games will wake Herdman up.

[rkomar]

Hopefully the Pam Am games will wake Herdman up.

 

To what?  There's nothing he's said recently that makes me believe he's got his head in the sand.  Before we start going all "Logan's Run" on the veterans, let's see what happens in the PanAm games first.  Maybe we'll find out that Herdman actually _had_ selected the best squad possible for the World Cup.

[-Hammer-]

Just thought I'd throw this out there again. I believe I sent it off on the Men's thread.

 

On the date of the Women's opener July 11th, at Pier 4 Park (a stone throw away from the West Harbour GO station) there is a beer festival going on starting at 2pm. If you are big into Craft Beer, about 30 Ontario breweries/cideries and 11 Food Trucks are going to be there.

 

www.becausebeer.ca

 

From there, I'm planning on taking the Bayfront Bus to the Stadium, but I believe if they are running shuttles at the West Harbour GO that may be an option as well.

[-Hammer-]

So, here is the scheduale

 

http://results.toronto2015.org/IRS/en/football/schedule-and-results.htm

 

Looks like Canada starts at 9:05pm but the ticket also includes Costa Rica vs Brazil that starts at 6:05pm. Hope to see you guys there.

[Blackdude]

It looks like Nichelle Prince is being replaced by Sarah Stratigakis. I can't confirm, but Stratigakis is on the PanAm games roster, although Buchanan and Fleming's names are absent, we can clearly see them in the team selfie (and there are 16 names on the roster).

[marauder01]

Fellow V's who are travelling to Hamilton, here is my recommendation for the PANAM games in order or priority from a local.

 

1) if you're local, bike (what I'm doing). Cheaper and faster, there will be plenty of space to lock up bikes.

2) If you're out of town, take the train to the new Hamilton Go Station (West Habour). Likely more reliable than traffic as there are already reports of the highway being backed up. From there, there are shuttles running for free to the stadium.

3) If the train isn't your thing, busing/carpooling is the next best option because of the HOV lane.

 

If you haven't pre purchased parking (which you can do for the soccer events), bring some cash as I expect all local houses around the stadium to be offering up their lawns for the game to park on as they do for Ticats games.

 

Leaving the stadium and getting there can be a pain and can take more time than expected. Leave yourself plenty of time for travel.

 

My reco for pregame drinks is the Touchdown Pub which is right next to the stadium and some Vs have already planned to meet there pregame tonight, and other nights.

Enjoy yourselves & Allez Les Rouges.

[marauder01]

One addition from King1010 (thanks):

 

"^^^ one thing.

There is no lawn parking allowed for the games. The city didnt want to give off that image. The blocks all around the stadium are closed to vehicular traffic. If you want to park there is a designated lot north of barton east of gage. I believe you have to pre purchase the spot. On the pan am parking website.

Theres also park and shuttle lots located at mohawk and mcmaster. But that would mean parking and taking a 20 minute shuttle to the stadium then back.

Best bet is not to drive. Bike. HSR. GO train/ bus and take the free shuttle to the stadium. HSR and GO are free with your ticket as well."