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Honduras rallies to beat Canada

SEAN GORDON

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 4:28 PM EST 08/09/08

Ramon Nunez scores twice in the second half as Honduras dealt a blow to Canada's chances to reach the World Cup ...Read the full article

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  1. Tom Beshoff from East York, Canada writes: The crowd reaction in Montreal in favour of Honduras made me sick to my stomach. I’m sure this will garner all sorts of accusations of being a racist, but I don’t care: if Canada has accepted you as an immigrant, if we have provided you with all the benefits of health care, welfare, citizenship, refugee status, then how dare you cheer against us in an international match! (some will argue stupidly that they are not cheering “against” Canada, but “for” Honduras.) Well sorry…if Honduras is playing Canada and you cheer FOR Honduras, you are cheering AGAINST Canada. Cheer for your former country in any other match. But when you cheer for them against Canada, as a Canadian, I take offence to that. And don’t give me any garbage about the national team not being related to government: you are either with me or against me. At the very worst, watch the game with a neutral and dispassionate eye and sit on your hands. My parents both emigrated from Ireland. I broached this very subject once with them, asking if there was a conflict. Their response was that they followed Ireland, except when they played Canada, when it was only right to be loyal to the country that took them in. I wonder to what flag some allegiances lie when I see a pathetic display like this.
  2. WorldCup 2010Soccer from Nauru writes: Number one: Horrible playing conditions...The field was the most awful grass that I have not seen since 30 years ago in 4th League soccer in Czech Republic. Number two: Terrible organization of having sharp objects"nails and staples" coming out on the boards,where Radzinski cut himself.... I think that FIFA should remove Canada from organizing "home" international games...{for incompetance} Number three: Why "waste" 2 substitutions on one player?{Hume} Good thing was that Canada came out and played great soccer for the first 20 minutes.... If they could play like that for at least 60 or 70 minutes,they would be somewhere else... Depleted bench...big problem... Very sad to see to have another "generation" of players "chewed up" not going to World Cup... It didn't happen in 2002,2006 and it will not happen in 2010.... The only home game left is in Edmonton vs. Mexico,rest 3 games are in Honduras,Mexico and Jamaica... After two home games to have 1{one} point is a disaster.... The problem is that the Hundurans and the others have a competative Junior League in their home countries and have smarts and depth that we just don't have,regardless of how great some of the Canadian players are individually....
  3. Link Hogbrow from Canada writes:
    What was Rob Friend doing on the bench ? All he does is score.

    Why just pump the ball up the field and let them come at you all night ? We've done that for decades and oh yeah ... its worked so well.

    No imagination on offense at all. Attack. Get some speed out there.

    We're doomed now ...
  4. Runnin Rebel from United States writes:
    Really bad, I know Canada tried to exploit their home field advantage but making it look like no mans land at Vimy Ridge was over the top, what a joke.
  5. Link Hogbrow from Canada writes:
    The other side played on the same pitch. Anyway since it was obviously nice and soft, the Hondurans could lie around on it all night, and be nice and comfortable.

    Honduras played it smart. Mitchell played it dumb.

    Mexico will be a mercy killing.
  6. WorldCup 2010Soccer from Nauru writes: They basically have to get on a plane go to South Mexico and beat Mexico right there to make this up...

    Then beat Jamaica in Jamaica and beat Mexico in Edmonton as well,and to tie {or lose} to Honduras in Honduras....

    I would concentrate on the next game and try to beat Mexico in Mexico on Wednesday...If Canada loses there,then it's sealed....
  7. Runnin Rebel from United States writes:
    THis team doesn't deserve to be in the world cup, it would be embarassing to watch.
  8. Link Hogbrow from Canada writes:
    It would be nice if you're right 2010.

    But we both know its a pipe dream.

    It starts at the top. The CSA is a joke everywhere except in Canada. They can't get a real manager because no world class bench general will work for them.

    The players? Our best 12 - 14 can compete with anyone on the day.

    Wither Holger.
  9. Greg Atkin from Canada writes: Canada's best players go overseas. The best athletes play hockey or baseball.
  10. Quellcrist Falconer from Canada writes: I'm with Tom. What the hell kind of country do we have where every single match you see greater support for the foreign team? The maple leaf should be changed to a hyphen.
  11. Link Hogbrow from Canada writes:
    Start winning. The other side won't be able to get tickets.
  12. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: Play these games in Whitehorse, Yellowknife or Iqualuit - home field vantage is assured and the local (whatever) community won't find it.

    This happened a few years ago when Canada had a friendly against a Latin America team. The game was in St. John's, the fans were in St. John.

    We should pour our resources into international rugby - we have a better chance of winning.
  13. Al B from Canada writes: That's right, you can't allow those "home" games to be hijacked by Canadians of convenience. When Canada qualified in 1986 the deciding game was played in St John's, NF. 'Nuff said.
  14. To Sense from Canada writes: Yeah, so much for home field advantage. It's not racist Tom. We're all from somewhere else somewhere down the line. The World/Euro Cup is so much fun in Canada because every game is a big game because every country has an ex-pat community. But, cheering FOR your family's homeland is one thing; cheering AGAINST Canada is another. Being Canadian is about more than having free health care. It's about being a part of a something and we're all in it together. Even at a more basic level, the players are our neighbours and names on Team Canada's roster reads like the UN. It must suck to have grown up in "Little Name-a-place" and having all your neighbours hoping you lose to Name-a-place.
  15. WorldCup 2010Soccer from Nauru writes: Didn't Nowfounland just join the Canadian federation in the 60's?

    At least they were a British colony at that time....

    I just flew over them a couple times....

    I agree,Canada should only play where they have their crowd....
  16. Dave Hunt from Canada writes: The stadium in Montreal should have been a "sea of red and white."
    This was a jock--what are these people doing here if they can't support the country that provides them with "bread & butter?"

    This happens ONLY in Canda and the US--and nowhere else on the planet!

    Yes, the field was the same for both teams but it sucked.
  17. WorldCup 2010Soccer from Nauru writes: To Sense in canada...

    I agree,plus I have it even harder because the Czechs aren't only good in soccer,but in hockey as well...

    Watch the Rangers play their games in Prague in October....

    My kids cheer for Czech Republic and Canada,having been born here,however,when Czech are playing Canada,I leave them to cheer for their birth country,but I can not cheer against my own,I am sorry...

    It only comes up in hockey...

    I cheer for Canada when they play the Russians in hockey,except when they play my country....

    My kids cheer for both and always for Canada and I encourage it in them,as they were born here and this is their country{in as much as my son plays his soccer in Czech Rep. right now}....
  18. Jay Sherman from Canada writes: It should come as no surprise that the visiting teams get more support than the home team. Imagine being told every four years that "this team Canada is better" - well clearly they're not. How many soccer-shy Canadians do you expect will take the emotional plunge and support a national team good enough to eke out a single point in two home games against teams that aren't of the caliber likely to make the World Cup final? Despite spending less than a year studying abroad in France, I would rather cheer for Les Bleus than bother with our shameful national team. When France loses to crap teams, they (eventually) bounce back with satisfying results. When Canada loses to crap teams, it's just another embarassing headline. Like most non-diehard fans, I am ashamed that our "home" games are dominated by foreign fans and that our best players declare their eligibility for other countries. Like most Canadians, I usually pretend this team doesn't exist because I am ashamed of the image this team projects on the international stage. Kids aren't going to turn into fans because kids aren't going to develop an emotional attachment to this team. Every Canadian child who grows up with even a passing knowledge of soccer knows that Canada's *football* team sucks more than the suckiest teams that you watch on TV in the World Cup Finals. Nobody wants to be caught cheering for a team whose best result in the WC finals resulted in no goals scored! Do we have the talent and desire to field a team capable of qualifying and earning a few points in the World Cup Final? No. Can we prevent our home games from dominated by foreign fans? Yes. Home games should be held where multicultural attendance is limited - I expect the CSA to try to engineer a home pitch advantage. Once the team is competitive and has grown a spine...then you can move the games back to multicultural cities. Get rid of the pork and fix this team!
  19. WorldCup 2010Soccer from Nauru writes: Guys,I am re-watching the game on Sportsnet West and I am sick to my stomach....
    I don't want to discuss this game anymore,because canada just blew it....

    They could have won it....
  20. Sev sevistan from The West, Canada writes: Tom, right on. Sickens me but Canada is indeed a hotel for many people. Reminds me of a T&T game in Edmonton a few years ago. Almost got into it in the stands. Yes, I will claim cultural superiority, and I will also dance with the girl who brought me. Oh well, I am flying back to South Africa in 6 days (to get my boat and get the heck out of there). It is going to be a fiasco and make no mistake about it, there will be an awful lot of killing and harming of soccer fans during the world cup. This may be one to miss. Am I scare mongering? Perhaps, but 51 murders a day and 151 rapes a day makes it the most dangerous non war country in the world, and in my short time there, I knew 2 people killed and saw a third killed at the ATM at the Richard's Bay shopping mall. And like I said, I was only there for 5 months. Check out www.themecury.co.za just for a look at today's (or any day's) newspaper from Durban. It will make you shake your head.
  21. audie tarsitano from toronto, Canada writes: unbelievable .. can't beat honduras .. with all the international players we have ...i guess its another 6 years .. new manager please ... another comment ... the impact makes it to the concacaf championship rounds with a team stacked with canadians .. toronto with all its foreign players can't do squat ... get rid of tfc's management while your added.
  22. WorldCup 2010Soccer from Nauru writes: Sev Sevistan....

    Hold your horses....I don't think that South Africa will actually host the WC.....

    I can see Poland and Ukraine to build facilities with the Euro money....For Euro....

    South Africa will build nothing regardless money......

    FIFA will cancel the WC there in later this month inspection....

    The back up is England and/or Germany who can put it on in 3 month notice....
  23. To Sense from Canada writes: WorldCup 2010Soccer from Nauru: You say you can't cheer against the Czechs because you can't cheer against your country. Well, that's our point. If you're a Canadian, then Canada, not the Czech Republic, is your country. You left your homeland to become a Canadian. It's the same as if you get remarried; your new wife has a right to be angry if you bed your ex-wife. Of course, a big part of you is still a Czech and cheer for them as loud as you can against any other opponent but Canada.

    Jay Sherman: Don't you think that your attitude is part of the problem? There is something to be said for supporting a team through thick and thin - through its development and redevelopment ["its bouncing back"]. Canada's soccer team is now better than it's ever been. Tonight was a devastating loss, but Honduras is hardly a crappy team. And, this was hardly a "home game."

    Maybe they should just limit the number of tickets for "Away" supporters. Fans are separated throughout the world and the seats reserved for away fans are always just a fraction of capacity.
  24. WorldCup 2010Soccer from Nauru writes: To Sense....

    I came here as a political refugee and never gave up my Czech Citizenship...

    Therefore,both my son and daughter have dual Citicenship...Canadian and Czech{was a nightmare to do the paper work for that but it's done years ago}

    I understand what you are saying....I came to Canada not seeking any "riches",just freedom....

    The first time I was "poor" {economicaly}was when I came here....

    So,I wasn't an economic migrant or such....

    Either way it's great for myself and the kids to have EU/Czech {Shengen} Citizenchip and Canadian as well...

    We still have properties in there etc...plus it helped my son,while transferring his soccer registration to the Czech Football Association...

    He never had apply for work permit and/or residency status,because he is Czech/EU Citizen as well as Canadian,so he is considered there as a "domestic" player,not a "foreigner"....

    So,he is "at home" in the Czech Republic as he is in Canada.....
  25. To Sense from Canada writes: WorldCup 2010Soccer from Nauru: Apologies if my last post comes across like I'm telling you what to do. You can do what you'd like of course.
  26. WorldCup 2010Soccer from Nauru writes: No problem....
  27. To Sense from Canada writes: PS: I've got dual citizenship as well. Fortunately the loyalty to both countries rarely clashes.
  28. John Adkins from Poland writes: Yeah, it pi**es me off too - you watch any soccer game with Canada or the US & it feels like the game is being played in Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico, etc... Just a reminder that most of them are in NA for the cash or insurance, nothing more. On top of that, Canadian & US teams often get scandalous treatment when they do play away, treatment that is either not reported or written off as part of the 'passion' other countries have for the game. BS. As with so many other things - give us the finger one day, go stand in line at the embassy the next.
  29. Matthew Townsend from Brooklyn, United States writes: Pop quiz folks.

    1. Who was Coach of Canada's National Team that played such inspiring soccer during the last Gold Cup competition?

    2. Who was Coach of Canada's National Team that played such uninspiring soccer during the last U-20 World Cup competition?
  30. David Graham from Montreal, Canada writes: To Matthew Townsend: Stephen Hart of course! Bring him back!

    I was at the game last night cheering for Canada but it was hard to make your voice heard except for the Voyageurs behind the goal. The field was soft because we had 2 hours of steady rain right before the match, but the surface is normally first rate compared to any other pitch I have seen in this country. The refereeing was abysmal and some of the Honduran players spent more time lying down than they did standing. Well, there's always 2014, but it's always going to be hard, because every country is improving and until CONCACAF, the world's joke confederation, actually does something about the officiating, Canada is always going to be behind the eight ball both home and away.
  31. AJC in Ottawa from Canada writes: I went to the game. The field was wet and was being chewed up (I gather the Impact played there the night before), but it was not that bad. Canada started brightly, spread the field, scored and then fell back into their usual bad habits (long balls to nowhere). The Honduras fans were louder because after 25 minutes their team was clearly on top.

    I like Mitchell, but I have to wonder why after 10 minutes of the second half (when Honduras were all over Canada), he had no subs warming up (Honduras had 7 guys warming up). The game had clearly turned against Canada. Then at 2-1, he finally brought Friend on, but at the expense of Gerba (a straight swap for the out and out striker). I think he kept thinking de Rosario would actually do something. He didn't.

    1 point from 2 home gains not including Mexico = these are now practice games for 2014 WC qualifying.
  32. Frank Godfrey from Canada writes: Nothing quite like " playing at home " for Canadian soccer. Home field is an advantage, right ? Well the reality for our National team is that home field is " neutral ", and they ought to be quite familiar with that by now. Poor officiating and a lousy playing field are usually the fault according to losing teams. Look for the real reasons for our lack of success, and, it isn't because our players have less skill and experience. It may be easier to blame unimaginative coaching that relies on " long ball " tactics too much. The desperation mentality of the " long ball " approach seems to be the defining feature of the CSA as well.
  33. NotASpoiledAthelete - from Canada writes: I'm sorry - I understand everyone's natural disappointment - but I already knew we wouldn't qualify the minute after CSA named Mitchell as the manager for the Sr. squad.

    His job at the U21-WC was nothing short of a disaster - and so I never, EVER expected anything to improve with our senior mens side, regardless of the talent.

    As for the pitch and the crowd..the pitch was miserable, and the pro-Honduran crowd? Well I think what we need to comment on is not how pro they were, but how QUIET the pro-Canada crowd was..

    When the team is down - that's when you cheer loudest!
    Pretty simple equation.
  34. wim kolstee from berlin, Germany writes: Part of the discussion above seems to have been hijacked by some bigoted-brainless-drones, parading as great Canadian patriots, who question the right Haitian-Canadians have to cheer for the Haitian soccer team. By cheering for Haiti they are not by definition Canada and only a knave would impart their enthusiasm to being such.

    I would like to steer the discussion back to soccer/football. It has been mentioned earlier in this blog that if Canada could field its best players it would have won the game.........and I tend to concur with this sentiment. The question we must ask is at the highest level of the CSA, then we can certainly expect further humiliations - the best intentions and efforts of Dale Mitchell and Co. notwithstanding. Impeach the directors of the CSA!
  35. Boca Junior from Canada writes: For crying out loud stop this whingeing about immigrants not cheering for Canada. Do you think this is the only country in which it happens. It happens everywhere, and so what? You mean to tell me if you moved to the US, you would cheer for them instead of Canada? Not much of a Canadian are you. I've met dozens of Canadians around the world and they all support Canada first no matter where they live. So if you don't like us being the minority at our home games..buy more tickets.

    Oh, and John Adkins!! That's the kind of stuff the National Socialists spouted in the 1930's and look how that worked out. We're all accidents at birth and all looking to better ourselves. Try living in the 21st century, you might just enjoy it.

    For goodness sake, it's only a soccer game. Unfortunately racismn and xenophobia are alive and well in Canada.
  36. A Banana from Canada writes: I agree with everyone ripping Dale Mitchell a new one.

    This guy might be the worst coach i've ever seen. We have a total of one point against the least talented teams in our group from home fixtures. Mexico is going to be no cake walk along with the away games.

    How do you hire someone who lead a lower level team (aka U-20's) to no wins and no goals in three games? Then after the competition he says his own players weren't good enough to do any better and he caoched as well as he could? That's disgusting leadership.

    The CSA needs to be brought down now!
  37. Greg Atkin from Canada writes: What Canadians have that only a handful of other countries have is the unabashed moment of collective bliss that comes with winning a world title in their Number 1 sport. For the rest of the world that is soccer but here it is hockey and few countries get to come together like Canada did on that September afternoon back in '72. I watched the final in Period 4 Ancient civilization class and i can still hear the roar of the school when 'Henderson scored for Canada."
    The US certainly doesn't have a comparable moment which might explain some of their military adventures like Clyde used a pistol to compensate for one of his physical flaws.
    So let the Hondurans, Jamaicans, Poles and any other citizens wave a flag or throw streamers. That's as close as they're going to get to experience what we experienced . We can smugly sit back with the ecstasy of Foster Hewitt's voice ringing triumphantly in our ears.
  38. B Z from Toronto, Canada writes: Time for young and old Canadians in the soccer program to start learning how to dive, cry, roll around, throw your arms in the air, slip and touch the ball with your arm (Guevara style!), dive some more, pull shirts, pull shorts, hand of God, fake an injury, walk off the filed when subtituted, kick the ball away out of bounds, bring the medical staff out with some magic water to help the fake injury on their foot when they were hit on the head...get a South American coach to teach us all the bullshit style moves and tactics this sport has to offer to win a game.

    Either that or we nail everyone on the field hockey style. Either we win with all the bullshit required to win in soccer or keep losing and if we lose I would feel better if we nailed everyone on the field and clear the benches and lay down a wiping.
  39. A Banana from Canada writes: This is totally missing the point.

    USA has greatly improved their soccer program over the years buy improving the level of coaching and professionalism within the organization. You won't see them roll around on the field and cry in order to win.

    We can do the same, but we need the current group running the ship out.
  40. asdf asdf from Canada writes: People can cheer for which ever country they want, it's a sport not a war.
  41. Ottawa Rocks from Ottawa, Canada writes: I agree with Tom close to 100%, if not 100% outright.

    I get really irritated with people cheering against Canada when they have lived here for years. My deal is that I have parents who were born in a less developed country although I was born here in Canada. However, for my whole life our whole family has always* cheered for Canada even if they were playing against the "home" country. I believe that's how it should be - always.

    I do believe however its ok to have a 2nd favourite country provided that you cheer only for Canada if they were to play against Canada, and in the worst case scenario *never     cheer against Canada (sit on your freaking hands if you have to).

    What else? None of the posters so far have mentioned the backstabbing "Canadians" Hargreaves and de Guzman who have gone onto play for England and Holland. Doesn't that make you sick? Makes me just as sick as those fools cheering against Canada at Saputo Stadium last night.
  42. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: Foreign-born Canadians would gladly cheer for Canada if Dale Mitchell gave them something to actually take pride in. You don't go to the stadium to cheer for public health care and education.

    I am more disappointed than I can convey. Starting Pat Onstad instead of the very much in-form Greg Sutton in Toronto cost us that match; last night panic set in just as Honduras started to press and Canada abandoned its game plan. Dale Mitchell simply can't do anything right. It's part incompetence and part fate.
  43. Ottawa Rocks from Ottawa, Canada writes: Someone mentioned that only in Canada and US can we have foreign supporters swamping our stadiums. Not really. I have at least a couple of examples, but I'm sure its much more widespread.

    Example1: In cricket, English home grounds are always filled by mainly away fans whenever they play a South Asian team.

    Example2: The 2003 Rugby Union World Cup final was held in Sydney Australia featuring England against Australia. However, about 50% of the 80,000 fans were English and they were considerably louder than their Antipodean cousins.
  44. Philly Canuck from GTA, Canada writes: I am NOT a big fan of foitball...but I know a decent quality side when I see it...and nothing I saw on that game last night, or on the game with Jamaica was what I would call decent, on EITHER side - that is, on a par with Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Italy, etc...and by the way, the Hondourans can't even TOUCH the Italians in their ability to dive and fake injury...not NEARLY enough writing around on the field ---- As for the benefits of having players play in the MSL, I've been to three TFC games, as well as games in Columbus, Chicago and Dallas, and the quality of the game is SO bad compared to what I see on TV from Europe that I will not go back...and it's NOT because they were played on FieldTurf...no skill, no strategy, little build-up...it reminds me of watching 6-year olds play hockey...everyone is around the ball, and there is no movement or action ---- So what's the big deal whether we make it to the World Cup and lose three games without scoring a goal and being humiliated? I know in the NCAA basketball tournament, when a #64 team gets killed by a #1 team in the first game and is knocked out immediately, they get a $400,000 payout. What's the benefit to a football team and country that loses badly three times and goes home from the World Cup?
  45. T Dub from Ottawa, Canada writes: Aside from the poor conditions and everything. The fact is that Canada "should" be able to destroy Honduras with a B squad. It's truly embarrassing to lose a game like that at home. I don't know why we even bother fielding a national team. There is not funding for the team. There is not financial support on the player development side.
    At least we have started losing early in qualifying so nobody really gets their hopes up.
  46. boom boom from Canada writes: Why does Canada have a national soccer team? We would have better success at tiddlywinks, and it would cost a lot less.
    Not kidding.
  47. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: Philly Canuck from GTA, Canada writes: I know in the NCAA basketball tournament, when a #64 team gets killed by a #1 team in the first game and is knocked out immediately, they get a $400,000 payout. What's the benefit to a football team and country that loses badly three times and goes home from the World Cup?
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Well, obviously the huge payout for making the World Cup for the federation and players. Not to mention the worldwide exposure to country and players making them bigger stars and increasing their demand while elevating notoriety for up and coming young Canadians which is good for the national game. But how about also the pride of making it to the biggest sporting event in the world?
  48. Bafana Bafana2010 from Vancouver, Canada writes: On Tom Beshoff's comment: "if Canada has accepted you as an immigrant, if we have provided you with all the benefits of health care, welfare, citizenship, refugee status, then how dare you cheer against us in an international match!" Well, I am an immigrant of several decades and would like to confirm that the benefits you talk about are not provided by the government technically speaking, but by the tax payer, and I have paid a great deal of tax in my time here. I brought my work ethic and creativity to this great country (like many immigrants) and have created new jobs and revenue for this country. Your statement is by your own admission categozing immigrants with prejudice. If you were living in Europe in similar circumstances (say Sweden?) and saw the Canadian hockey team there after many years, you would be hard pressed not to feel pride and support them. This country supports pride in one's origins and it takes a generation for the old love to die and become a new love in our children. So grow up and drop the prejudice and lack of understanding. On the soccer team.......many, many better players now...finally moving away from the old long ball game.....Canada is still missing plenty talent at the junior level because of the inability to understand the successful teams and countries emphasis on skill and technical ability over strength and speed. The coach is questionable as noted above.......and compared to the USA, our players may be better....but our system hasn't competed with the US (and it is not just money), and many grass roots coaches don't know the game well enough.
  49. Philly Canuck from GTA, Canada writes: What pride when we look like idiots chasing REAL football players? When our amateur hockey players couldn't compete against the professionals from the USSR and Czechoslovakia, we withdrew...why waste our time and money?
  50. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: Philly Canuck from GTA, Canada writes: What pride when we look like idiots chasing REAL football players? When our amateur hockey players couldn't compete against the professionals from the USSR and Czechoslovakia, we withdrew...why waste our time and money?
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    So we should just give up and not try to improve? The Canadian game is not as bad as you are making it seem. Did you watch Canada v. Brazil in Seattle back in the spring? That showed what kind of football we are capable of playing when the tactics are right. Free flowing, on the ground, one and two touch football that creates chances. For some reason that was abandoned last night as soon as the first sign of adversity struck. That's bad coaching. We have the players, we just don't have the management and federation.
  51. Bafana Bafana2010 from Vancouver, Canada writes: Ottawa Rocks from Ottawa talks about backstabbing Canadians......ouch.....ignorance as far as Hargreaves goes!
    Hargreaves was in the Canadian U16 team and was CUT by Canada. Off he goes to Europe and Bayern liked what they saw. It is one of the great commentaries on our not understanding the game well enough at the junior and grass roots level.
    http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2006/06/18/owen-hargreaves-worldcup.html
    One's country gets its chance, as we did with Brett Hull. Once we did not pick him, and we had better players at that time, he went on to become a legend.
    The English cricket team has just appointed its 3rd South African born (and raised!) captain and the English and Australian rugby teams have each had 3 or 4 SA players who starred for them after not being good enough to make the SA team.
    And I won't even start on the number of Brazilians playing soccer for other countries.
  52. Bafana Bafana2010 from Vancouver, Canada writes: The comments made about the Canada vs Brazil game are valid. Canada did very well (I was at the game) and could have justifiably got a better result. And yes the style of game is much more along the lines we need to play to compete.
    Oh and I agree with the comments made about Onstad. He is useless and that goal he cost against Jamaica (not the only mistake he made) reflects very poorly on the coach. It he had not played in these games, we would still be in it.
  53. Philly Canuck from GTA, Canada writes: BI, I hear what you are saying (actually, I guess I read what you are saying), but I am getting REALLY tired of all the excuses and complaining from footie fans in this forum: 1) Administration and coaching sucks - well, doesn't that indicate the level of priority football has in the country's sporting consciousness? 2) The people cheer for the other side - too bad. In other sports, athletes view that as a motivator (i.e., shove it up their....er, down their throats). 3) We don't have a facility - Commonwealth Stadium has a grass field and from what I recall, there was little cheering for the opposition at the woman's tournament played there. 4) The officiating sucks - the last bastion of the Canadian fan, whether footie or hockey...watch Canada's teams in the World Cups of basketball and baseball - NO complaining about officials. --- If you want to have a world-class team, then make it work - I am particularly tired of reading about how great it WOULD BE to have games in TO at BMO and how different the fan reaction would be! Then have the damn games at BMO, on the artifical turf as it is...the so-called TURF last night was a disgrace and BMO COULD NOT be as bad --- plus, read the FIFA tech reports on FieldTurf as an alternative (links below)...it plays EXACTLY as grass...same bounce, same roll, same stresses on players...the many sissy prima donnas that play this game have brainwashed fans into thinking that the field matters...years ago, when we had products like Astro- Omni- or Tartan-turf that were designed PRIMARILY for baseball and North American football, YES, you had a problem...not any more!!! ---- http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/developing/pitchequipment/footballturf/testcriteria.html ---- http://www.worldcup2010southafrica.com/content/view/52/92/
  54. asdf asdf from Canada writes: "T Dub from Ottawa, Canada writes: Aside from the poor conditions and everything. The fact is that Canada "should" be able to destroy Honduras with a B squad. It's truly embarrassing to lose a game like that at home. I don't know why we even bother fielding a national team. There is not funding for the team. There is not financial support on the player development side.
    At least we have started losing early in qualifying so nobody really gets their hopes up."

    Honduras is a better team than Canada. They have more top quality players playing in top European leagues, and play better as a team than Canada. Canada by no means "should" be able to beat Honduras, that's just arrogant. The result was about right. Canada needs to get better at the sport before it can expect to beat teams like Honduras with a B team as you say.
  55. JOHN PALANDRA from Toronto, Canada writes: Some of you people who try and disguise themselves as patriots really need to get a grip. Focus on the game and how the team fell apart after gaining an early lead and stop using this thread as a forum for your xenophobic and racist beliefs. I have a brother who lives in the US and he will cheer for Canada ahead of the US in any sport, just like you would if you were living in another country so stop being hypocrites.

    As for the game, yet another display by Canada of a team that looks disorganized. They seem to panic and make mistakes at the worst possible moments. Also why was Rob Friend subbed for Ali Gerba when they were down a goal. Should they not have employed 2 strikers in an attempt to tie the game? I struggle to figure out the logic in these decisions.
  56. Horatio Nelson from Solomon Islands writes: Canada began well but seemed to be non-plussed when they found themselves ahead: "Do we push on for more or try to hold what we've got?" The result of this (together with Radzinski's exit) was that Honduras were able to come back into the game and controlled most of it from about the fifteenth minute onwards.

    Stalteri was badly at fault for both goals as he left his man unmarked on both occasions. Perhaps not playing for Tottenham Hotspur has left him short of match practice but, after last night's performance, he should start on the bench against Mexico.
  57. Al B from Canada writes: 'I have a brother who lives in the US and he will cheer for Canada ahead of the US in any sport, just like you would if you were living in another country so stop being hypocrites.'

    You need to know the differences between being an ex-pat and being a citizen or immigrant.
  58. Bafana Bafana2010 from Vancouver, Canada writes: Al B....you get it. Thanks for the comment.
    Many Canadians immigrate to other countries but remain supporters of their Canadian teams. I wonder how many Canadians living in the US as immigrants (that's what permanent residence is of course), supported the US against Canada in the gold medal hockey game at Salt Lake City? Hopefully not too many.
  59. AJC in Ottawa from Canada writes: If Honduras had come out and played Canada off the park then I might be able to conclude that Honduras are that much better than Canada, but they didn't. I felt like Canada imploded and Honduras took advantage. Rather than press for a second, Canada surrendered the midfield and made Honduras look superb. Radsinski being subbed (I expected a penalty, but haven't seen the replay) hurt the team (Hume clearly isn't good enough) but that wasn't the real problem. We got away from what was working--stretching the field, Stalteri overlapping, etc.--we sat back too much and got punished. Combine that with some questionable tactical decisions and substitutions, and it wasn't surprising to see Honduras come on. Honduras are a good side and had no problem taking advantage.

    One thing that consistently amazes me about Canadian soccer is how few decent goalkeepers we seem to develop, especially compared with the US. The US probably has more depth at the position than any other country (Howard, Friedel, Hannheman, Guzan, etc.) and our top 2 are Onstad and Lars (no offense intended to either of them).

    BTW, as for the Honduras fans, I have no problem with that. I didn't see reports of thousands of Canada fans not being able to get tickets and I understand their decision to cheer for Honduras. I don't know any of their personal circumstances, but I suspect that most of the people complaining about them aren't immigrants themselves (I said 'most'). I don't think it is as black and white as you move here and you give up your first love. Seems easy, but isn't.
  60. R. Sousa from Toronto, Canada writes: Immigrants do not have an obligation to support Canada instead of their native country team, immigrants benefit from the immigration process, but also Canada benefits from immigrants IT IS NOT FOR FREE. Immigranst work and work much harder -in general- than Canadians for less money !!!
  61. WorldCup 2010Soccer from Nauru writes: Number one: Mr. Mitchell can't coach a World Cup team...he could have possibly played on the 86 Team coached by Tony Waiters etc...,but from what i have seen,he looks like a guy under a lot of stress who hasn't got the personality to inspire players and has no clue what attractive/result oriented soccer is like... Mr. Hart and Mr. Ray Clark are so many times more effective that I can't understand why Mr. Mitchell is "coaching",still... Second... Playing on most terrible soccer field that I have seen in many many years doesn't give Canada any advantage...Most players play in Europe on quality grass and then they make a trip to Canada to participate in this and have to play on this God awful potato field? If I was them I would never accept the invitation again... The Saputos should spend some money on drainage and landscaping company... The artifficial turf in TO is no good either...The only decent grass used to be in Edmonton and St. Johns....... {on top of that Radzinsky got cut up open from the improperly dangerously installed boards with sharp objects sticking out etc...} This is like a "gong show".... I couldn't believe that they brought in Brennan as the "super-sub" to decide the game,are you crazy?...He is a defender,who likes to attack,but you don't add a defender if you are loosing 1:2 in game of your life....
  62. Al B from Canada writes: If immigrants don't support their host country, don't complain they don't feel 'accepted'. The choices you make in life have a bearing on how you are viewed.
  63. Lastenia Rojas from Canada writes: Canada's team has great talent. Time for CSA to hire a coach that is at the same level as its players.

    With regards to the people complaining about the number of hondura's fans. This wouldn't be a problem if more canadians actually cared about soccer and went to the games. The CSA allocating only a number of seats for the foreign fans would help too.
  64. Sev sevistan from Calgaristan, Canada writes: BafanaBafana2010. Yebo GoGo/Kehla! Thankfully they have a bye. No African Cup of Nations for those slugs.

    Just trying to get back to the pitch...............
  65. A Banana from Canada writes: I agree with whoever said "stick to the issues" rather than talk about the fan support. Ya it sucked as a Canadian soccer fan to see your players ole'd at home when the other team passed the ball, but the way the game is administered around here by the CSA they haven't built a fan base.

    The association owes 90% of the support they have to USL and MLS teams in this country. They've done nothing to help grow the game in this country.

    The solution is simple!!!! replace the assocation and demand accountability and results!!! we have nearly a million soccer players in this country yet we can't produce competent professionals, the answer to why is quite obvious.
  66. WorldCup 2010Soccer from Nauru writes: Banana...

    Based on stats...4% of all players make pro level...

    Canada should have 40K professional players...Yet,they may have 40 if at all...

    Therefore,the CSA is trying to start an NTC ran interprovincial League to give the Elite players regular competition...

    Guess what,the local "associations" are against it....

    Book your tickets to Europe,before they become even more expensive,especially with the extremely low Canadian dollar....
  67. Matthew Townsend from Brooklyn, United States writes: @ WorldCup2010...where are you getting your 4% statistic from? In my estimation that's a little high.

    If you look at studies done by the NCAA on the number of HS student-athletes participating in a sport and follow them up through the college ranks and then on to the professional leagues it is less than 1% who have a professional career. And those careers typically last less than 3 years.
  68. Joey Clams from Little Neck, RI, United States writes: Guys, settle down. The US team deals with hostile crowds at home, as well. And they're used to it. It's not a big deal anymore. In fact, those crowds have become less hostile because the States have become a decent little side. Go to a, oh, US-Guat or US-Salvador game. The parents will where the homeland's jersey and the kids all run around in Donovan and Beasley shirts. People in the US understand that people have sentimental and emotional ties to the old country. It's part of our culture. Now, if those crowds become disrespectfual and violent - like the Mexicans - it's another story. Anyway, mixed crowds are part and parcel of being a New World country. You guys haven't figured that out yet?
  69. bruce t from Boston, United States writes: It is all about the cash and CSA orginzation. Canada has plenty of talent at the young age, probably more than the Aussies, but funnelling that talent up into professional ranks is extremely inefficient. And should a talented player incredibly make it to the top, the organization and investment in the national squad is miniscule compared to similar countries (e.g. Australia). Actually it is rediculous. The result is a team unprepared and not able to play well as a team consistantly. Australia is successful because it invests in the sport, and is smart enough to realize that a proven overseas coach with a good budget can do wonders. FIFA Ranking: Australian 80. Very very very sad, but typical of non-hockey sport investment in Canada.
  70. WorldCup 2010Soccer from Nauru writes: Matthew Townsend... These stats are from Europe...UEFA etc... 4% doesn't mean that they are all "rooneys and ronaldos",what it means that they are playing soccer on a professional level... In some countries you have upwards 5 Levels of Leagues of which at least 3 are fully professional and another 2 or 3 semi-pro etc... There are Czechs "no-name" players who might go,for example to Austrian 3rd League and make 5 thousend Euros a month playing soccer etc...They are also counted in this.... I would agree that the top,top international superstars are possibly in the 1% range,which is pretty logical.... One out of 100 "generic" players who will dedicate to the game,has to become and an/or be good at it,right? In Canada,mainly in Provinces such as Manitoba,we raise no international players at all and all we get at the end of the "wysa" children's leagues is a bunch of "donkeys" who can't play soccer and/or everybody quits by the time they are 16 years old. The few talented players I noticed over the years{boys} have gotten absolutely nowhere and no local Winnipeg/Manitoba Club and /or CSA provided any opportunity to the whatsoever at any level,anywhere,except ignoring them. Also,understand that most players in MLS are there because they can not make top flight leagues in Europe...{Donovan etc...} Bottom line,Canada is doing a terrible job developing soccer players,considering the numbers available to them etc... Obviously,it's not because everybody in here is stupid...See how they all know how to develop hockey players... It's because they don't care about soccer as an important matter and/or players future. I think that the volunteers are installed into all these recreational associations,who prove that they don't believe in professionally played soccer as a condition to get hired...{it's like a conspiracy or mafia like group}..If they say they do believe in it,they get rid off them as "lunatics".....

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