WCQ: Canada vs Panama - Wednesday, Oct 13, 7:30pm Eastern / 4:30pm Pacific - Toronto

[grasshopper1917]

Has to feel like the National team is on a whole different level then previous years eh? Support was amazing in Toronto tonight, I hope it continues in Edmonton because this team deserves it - qualification is not a pipedream it is ours... we just have to grasp it

 

[Cheeta]

32 minutes ago, vancanman said:

They still have some work to do to get even close to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras of the late 80's.

Sad but true.

[canadasoccer20]

Great result tonight! Let's keep this momentum going next window!

 

[El Hombre]

5 minutes ago, Unnamed Trialist said:

Miller: very reliable, settling in nicely. the one player I have to retract on, he's been solid. Even got forward a few times and no mistakes. 

Had a rough first 20 minutes.  Took him awhile but finally settled.

5 minutes ago, Unnamed Trialist said:

Davies: MOTM, playing in the position that is right for him, in the middle, or else right side attacker turning in. Some amazing dribbles, and to be fair, the rival did not try to injure him (always a worry). I think Bayern, if they see this, will rethink his role for them. Thanks to John Herdman for reading my posts on here

Credit where credit is due.

5 minutes ago, Unnamed Trialist said:

Herdman: we came out and got behind, yet again. This is fun being epic but he has to solve it. The team comes out flat and lacking some intensity and only seems to be reactive. And that is always risky.

No idea if this was the situation, but it seems like the team can be overawed by the situation at times.  That was a hell of an atmosphere to walk into, not unlike the first game with Honduras.  Hopefully this gets eliminated with experience, ideally sometime within the next four weeks.

In hockey terms, they come out, belt out the national anthem but then are holding their sticks a bit too tight.  Luckily they've recovered.

5 minutes ago, Unnamed Trialist said:

Johnston: the only field player to see every minute. Fit as hell, plays relaxed, over 3 matches I'd say he's our best player because we defended so damn seriously in totally different environments and he had a major role in that.

Alastair is my favourite type of player.  A guy that was playing L1O two years ago appears on the scene and turns heads.  Not unlike Serioux after that B team friendly and getting picked up by Millwall.  I live for those stories.  He's a legend in my eyes.

 

[El Hombre]

5 minutes ago, Sal333 said:

Seeing as most of the Panamanian players are black what racial slur could have been hurled at Layrea? Gringo?

Maybe they pronounced his last name wrong?  I hear that is a very contentious topic.

[toontownman]

18 minutes ago, Floortom said:

For people wondering what happened with Laryea - it was literally right in front of me. The Panamian directed a huge wad of spit right at Richie. I couldn’t tell if it hit him but his intention was unmistakable. He literally looked right at him as he was doing it.

If they were reviewing the melee before halftime they sure as hell better be reviewing that. 

Also looked like herdman went down the tunnel straight after the game looking for a fight. Did the Panama coach not shake his hand or something?

[frattinator]

Some potential context on the melee 

 

 

[Hawkguy]

11 minutes ago, maccaliam said:

I’ve lost my voice and it’s the sweatiest train ride I’ve ever been on, but I am a happy man. Great performance and result. Fantastic atmosphere. Such a great evening. 

Right?! 

[CanMNT Memes]

[Hawkguy]

How did it come across on TV... it was electric in attendance. 

[Sal333]

I might get some flack for what I'm gonna say next but here goes:

Panama 1 - Davies 4.

He took this team on his back dragged them to the finish. He scored a goal and assisted on two others and dominated the game. And to think he is only 20.

Edited October 14, 2021 by Sal333

[Sal333]

2 minutes ago, CanMNT Memes said:

Men in shorts turn you on?

[dyslexic nam]

5 minutes ago, CanMNT Memes said:

This is so perfect.  

[Gian-Luca]

6 minutes ago, frattinator said:

Some potential context on the melee 

 

 

That was my guess as to what happened

[Canucklehead69]

Is there a post game presser anywhere?

[Hawkguy]

10 minutes ago, Canucklehead69 said:

Is there a post game presser anywhere?

There's a couple interviews on OneSoccer Twitter but they're short

[CanadianSoccerFan]

 

[Ozzie_the_parrot]

Wasn't able to watch the game but that scoreline is just what the doctor ordered. Kept remembering Paul Peschisolido getting sent off in a game against Panama from back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth over the last few days and how small incidents like that can impact a WC qualifier that should be winnable. Still a long way to go but confident it's there for the taking now if the team plays the way they are capable of.

Edited October 14, 2021 by Ozzie_the_parrot

[The Beaver 2.0]

Epic come back, and a massive three points at home. We lead the table in terms of goal differential. We will take some points on the road in central America, mark my word. We aren't scared.

We need to figure out how not to poop the bed in the first moments of the game, especially at home. I think nerves got the best of us. Yeah, it is amazing to see the resilience and self-belief of this team, but we need to tidy up that aspect of our game/mindset. Guaranteed Herdman will be thinking damned hard about it. 

But five points over a very difficult window, and without four or five key pieces to this team. 

So, can we get 12 points over the next 8 games?  I think so!

[BigMo]

28 minutes ago, frattinator said:

Some potential context on the melee 

 

 

Can confirm this happened, witnessed it right in front of me in section 106. Entire section went wild but ref was clueless and so was linesman who wasn’t paying attention to obviously heated exchange. 
 

Even prior to spit #10 was throwing elbows in his back and playing extremely dirty. Love how firey Laryea is, he didn’t give him an inch. They almost fought a final time well after the final whistle when players were about to do their lap thanking supporters. Looked like even CONCACAF officials had to come on pitch to get Panamanians to the tunnel. 

[trc2014]

The only downside is that I spent the first 35 minutes of the game in line to get in after getting there at 6:45.  I know I was pre-warned but do better BMO.

Edited October 14, 2021 by trc2014

[clamlinguine]

2 hours ago, dyslexic nam said:

All started because Doneil wouldn’t move.  Lol.  

Typical stupidity that screws us every time. This guy doesn't have a clue.

[canuckgbp]

 

[BigMo]

Tonight was by far the best atmosphere I’ve ever experienced at BMO. Overwhelmingly red and incredible supportive home crowd. Only way is up from here and it really pleased me to see so many kids at the game. They’ll grown in a world where this team is a force. What a night for us and for future of football in Canada.

[The Beaver 2.0]

5 minutes ago, BigMo said:

Tonight was by far the best atmosphere I’ve ever experienced at BMO. Overwhelmingly red and incredible supportive home crowd. Only way is up from here and it really pleased me to see so many kids at the game. They’ll grown in a world where this team is a force. What a night for us and for future of football in Canada.

Feels like it is finally happening! I started following the national team when I was 14, back in 1986. When we book our ticket to Qatar, I will have just turned 50. Like many of you, I've never given up on this team, but I won't pretend the past 35 years have been filled with hope and glorious football.  But what is truly crazy is that we are actually getting really good. Kevin Kilbane, for what it is worth, said after the game against Mexico that we are as good as any of the very good teams in Europe. We dangled with the number 10 and 11 FIFA ranked teams, in their stadiums, and did not only come away with a massive point each game, but felt we could have won those games.  There's much work to do yet, but when we get to Qatar, we'll have the belief that we can hang with the very good teams of the world, and maybe even surprise some of the elite ones.