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It’s a bad day to be a soccer fan in Winnipeg or Hamilton. Ironically, the first two cities to commit to being part of the Canadian Premier League were the two notable cities not included on the list of cities Canada has approached to apply to be a host city in the 2026 World Cup. Obviously, this will be a moot point if Morocco somehow takes the bid away from the hugely favourite United North America bid, but few think that will happen. So, it’s basically the end of any dream that either city will ever host a World Cup. It’s a double blow for Hamilton in that they were also left off the Women’s World Cup rotation in 2015. It’s a shame because the city was a wonderful host to the Pan Am tournament and a women’s pre-tournament friendly between England and Canada. It’s a bit baffling, actually. Tim Horton’s Field is only 24,000, sure, but it can be expanded to 40,000 (and possibly even more for a major event like a World Cup). Since it seems unlikely that the CSA is springing this on these cities blindly, it could be that the City of Hamilton turned down the chance to bid. In fact, that's the noise that many are suggesting -- that Hamilton turned down the chance to bid. That seems short-sighted, but I’m not a Hamilton rate payer. Much of what was written about Hamilton can be extended to Winnipeg. Two new stadiums in cities that don’t traditionally get looked at to host major events….surprising, to say the least. And, once again, it appears that Winnipeg came to the conclusion on their own. There weren’t a lot of shocks among the cities included. Both Toronto and Montreal were invited to apply with two stadiums – BMO Field/Stade Saputo and The Stadium Formally Known as SkyDome/Olympic Stadium – and the rest of the cities – Ottawa, Regina, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver are basically the default cities that pop up in these conversations. The two biggest questions among the included cities might be Montreal and Calgary. The Big O is an old 43 years now. It’s hard to imagine it not being held together by duct tape and empty bottles of Old Vienna by 2026. Saputo is the smallest of the stadiums included. It would take a major renovation to get up to the required size (although with the Habs having never hosted an outdoor NHL game that might be of interest to the city). Calgary has no legitimate option other than to build something new. McMahon Stadium is already 57 years old and it’s never been called anything other than functional, even by its fans. It seems likely that Calgary has been included to add further support to an ongoing effort to completely overhaul the city’s sports infrastructure. Calgary wants to build a new hockey rink, multipurpose stadium and host the 2026 Winter Olympics. Hosting a couple extra World Cup games a few months after the big party would be the icing on that very expensive cake. Mexico only put three cities forward, so you’d imagine they plan an even split of games. That’s not in Canada’s nature – the games here will be split equally between the east and the west. View full record

Hey everybody, This thread will be all about my club and the exciting things we will be doing this season. ...beginning with my announcement that I am joining the WSA Winnipeg Front Office full-time. http://www.wsawinnipeg.com/index.php/news/110-lee-haber-joins-wsa-front-office Lee Haber joins WSA Front Office Co-founder will take on bigger role as Director of Business Development and Operations You may not know him, but if you've watched a WSA home game and been following the club you have definitely seen his work first hand. In Year 2, he intends to take the club to the next level off-the-pitch. In its inaugural season, Mr. Haber played a key part in everything WSA Winnipeg. A former player of Coach Badescu's, the two teamed up in late 2010 with the goal of bringing a PDL team to Winnipeg and eventually professional soccer. He wrote the club's business plan which helped them secure a PDL franchise. That only begins to describe his contribution to WSA Winnipeg. Those scarves you hoist above your head. He designed them. The website. He built, using his experience in web-design he developed in previous jobs. The crest that adorns every jersey, t-shirt, flag, etc. Yeah, that too. Mr. Haber did all this in his spare time, while he wasn't working full-time as a railway engineer in Montreal. In spite of all the great things accomplished in WSA's first season, the front office recognized that what was needed to grow the organization was someone who could work on the business side full-time. The McGill graduate jumped at the opportunity. He quit his job, said goodbye friends in Montreal and flew back home to Winnipeg. "It is my dream to be part of growing the game in my hometown," said the 24 year-old. "I am in a position where I can take this risk." "I feel [Lee] is the perfect person for the job," said Coach Badescu. "He has already contributed so much and I believe he will do amazing things for our club now that we have him full-time" As WSA Director of Business Development and Operations, Mr. Haber will be responsible for growing and managing the business-side of WSA Winnipeg. This what he had to say WSA Winnipeg fans can expect in 2012: "Last year we got our foot in the door and proved the naysayers wrong that said PDL would never work in Winnipeg" "This year we are taking everything to the next level" As for what exactly that entails, fans have much to ponder about.

This is to all the Canadian soccer supporters who avidly follow the growth of the game in this country (especially the ones who live in Winnipeg). My name is Lee and I am part of a group that is launching a PDL team in Winnipeg. We will be making a formal public announcement in late November, but I felt that you guys should know about us beforehand. We believe there is a great passion for the sport in Winnipeg that simply hasn't been tapped. Our goal is to grow the game in our city by developing youth, engaging the community and providing an authentic soccer viewing experience. Part of this embracing the supporters culture, so one of our ideas is to have a supporters section and a supporters ticket page. Here's where we need your help: as a potential supporter we would like know what benefits you would like included in your ticket package. Here are some of our ideas: # Game Jersey # Team Scarf # (1) FREE beverage per match # Discount pricing for playoffs, exhibition friendlies, road trips # Automatic member of our members association (based on the Seattle Sounders Alliance) # Discount on food concessions Please let me know how much you would value each of these things. If you have your own ideas about anything really, please share them as well. Any feedback will help us be a better club. Yours in Soccer, Lee

http://www.wsawinnipeg.ca/News/PressReleases/index_E.html

This is a call to all Winnipeggers who have been waiting to support a team they can call their own. Our club realizes the importance of the supporters. It their devotion and passion that makes a game more than a game and a team more than a team. We believe it is what sets our sport apart from all other North American sports and what keeps people coming back. Our goal is to have the loudest, most passionate and intimidating atmosphere in the PDL. Our press conference is tentatively scheduled for December 10th. The reason I mention this is that something we would really like is for those who have been waiting for this opportunity to come out and support us. I am letting you guys here know as to give you time to prepare. Let's show the doubters that passion for this sport runs deep and is more than a fad that comes around every four years. In order to help you get started, I will reveal that the team colours are red, white and black. If you want a sneak peak of our logo, PM me your email. However, this is where my involvement ends. It is important that all chants, banners, flags etc. come from the fans - otherwise it is comes off as contrived and inauthentic. Let your diehard soccer friends know - the more the better. Sincerely, Lee