The revolution began with hundreds of black “Sack the CSA” t-shirts at the Canada-Costa Rica game at BMO Field in Toronto. That led directly to a hastily called summit meeting of fans, coaches, media, players and soccer officials in a badly painted banquet hall in Downsview late last October.
And now, the first real shot is in the air.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you – the Canadian Soccer Federation.
Right now, it’s a small group of soccer types who are fed-up to the teeth with the bungling bureaucracy of the Canadian Soccer Association. They are certainly not in a position to take power. But they are bursting with ideas and energy, and have deep connections among fans, media and annoyed, ticked-off soccer officials throughout the land. A new voice in the debate, if you will – one with a lot to say.
They have just published their manifesto, a design for an entirely new structure for governing the game. This document demands that every aspect of the CSA’s operation be taken apart and examined in the cold light of practicality. That which does not or cannot work … well, like many of us, they pretty much want the whole rotten structure torn down and replaced.
Here are some telling quotes about the current state of Canada and the CSA, taken directly from the CSF’s introductory release:
- “It’s a shambles. Let’s make no bones about it. It’s a complete and utter shambles.” – Former Canada captain Jason de Vos.
- “The problem is the game is run by politicians, and as long as [it is] …, you have absolutely no chance.” – Canadian soccer Hall of Famer Bruce Twamley.
- “I think the problem with soccer in Canada is the fact that, at the present time, the Canadian Soccer Association is not showing leadership.” – Dick Howard, former Canada goalkeeper, present member of technical and development committees for both FIFA and CONCACAF.
- “What would it take to get the proper structure in place in Canada? It’s going to take a lot of money, … full-time professional soccer, … what every other country has. We don’t have it. We have to be honest about that.” – Dale Mitchell, head coach of Canada’s national men’s soccer team.
Those are some powerful voices thundering from the mountaintops. They’re not members of the CSF core group, but they share – and neatly articulate – the frustration that has made this call to action necessary.
According to statistics sent out by the CSA last week, Canada now has well over 800,000 registered soccer players. Relative to population, that’s a stunningly high number.
The problem – as highlighted by young Canadian Jonathan de Guzman’s headline-making decision last week to play for the Netherlands instead – is there is no reliable, efficient, non-political way to guide the very best of those players to places on Canada’s national soccer teams.
I’ve been on the Canadian soccer beat for eight years. In that time, the CSA has hurt far more than it has helped.
