Soccer in Canada | Canada Hosting the 2026 World Cup

[Calgarian]

Absolutely stomped Honduras yesterday, think this Canadian team could win our first Gold Cup in 25 years!

[Calgarian]

Poor game for Canada against Curacao, hopefully they improve against El Salvador tomorrow.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Poor game for Canada against Curacao, hopefully they improve against El Salvador tomorrow.

I wish certain media pundits would realize that we aren't as good as we were against Honduras and not as bad as we were vs Curacao.

They are in no position to say we'll slaughter anybody. Potential and five bucks will get you a Tims. Our team still has lessons to learn, like breaking down a team that is bunkering, how to stand up to a team that is fouling.

It's difficult to play our attacking and pressing style in the oppressive heat of Houston which is why, before the WC, I heard Jesse say, we will be preparing in the southern US. We'll start the WC in Canada but if we advance we'll end up in the US.

I do hope we improve against El Salvador and I think we will. Again, we'll have to face the heat and opposing fans. I don't really care about winning the GC but with progressing in the tournament comes more games which we need to prepare, especially as we are still trying out "new" players.

[Calgarian]

Marsch will be back tomorrow, I imagine he will get them sorted after a really poor showing last game.

[elly63]

Canada gets a 2-0 "professional win" over a nine man El Salvador.

El Salvador was just out to foul and get the Canadians off their high energy pressing game. They were somewhat successful as they did get Canada off their game but they committed so many fouls they ended up getting two red cards.

Canada scored two and then it was just a matter of closing out the game.

Canada subbed off most of the regulars, (and De Fougerolles who had a yellow) and they controlled the ball while not really trying to force a scoring attempt.

It was kill the clock, don't do anything stupid or get hurt. Mission accomplished, now onto the knockout round.

[Calgarian]

Originally Posted by elly63

Canada gets a 2-0 "professional win" over a nine man El Salvador.

El Salvador was just out to foul and get the Canadians off their high energy pressing game. They were somewhat successful as they did get Canada off their game but they committed so many fouls they ended up getting two red cards.

Canada scored two and then it was just a matter of closing out the game.

Canada subbed off most of the regulars, (and De Fougerolles who had a yellow) and they controlled the ball while not really trying to force a scoring attempt.

It was kill the clock, don't do anything stupid or get hurt. Mission accomplished, now onto the knockout round.

The ES team was playing crazy dirty, then they would harass the Canadian player they just injured. The fact that some of their coaching staff got red carded too is quite telling.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

The ES team was playing crazy dirty, then they would harass the Canadian player they just injured. The fact that some of their coaching staff got red carded too is quite telling.

These are "good" games for Canada. They have to be better at breaking down opponents and disciplined when they are being goaded by a lesser opponent.

We play better when in the underdog role or when quality teams near our level actually come to play but lessons like this are still to be perfected.

This is when you have to bury your chances when you get them and Canada had some chances before they scored. Otherwise, you're giving a lesser opponent a chance to stay in the game and El Salvador had a few chances and had they scored they could have dictated the game with smarter delay tactics.

But, woulda, coulda, shoulda, the fact remains, good teams win these types of games and we won.

[Surrealplaces]

Agree. Teams like ES would never try that bullshit with teams like France or Spain, Argentina, etc.. They know if they go down a man or two they're instantly done. Canada will need to be able to capitalize, which they did thankfully.

Originally Posted by elly63

These are "good" games for Canada. They have to be better at breaking down opponents and disciplined when they are being goaded by a lesser opponent.

We play better when in the underdog role or when quality teams near our level actually come to play but lessons like this are still to be perfected.

This is when you have to bury your chances when you get them and Canada had some chances before they scored. Otherwise, you're giving a lesser opponent a chance to stay in the game and El Salvador had a few chances and had they scored they could have dictated the game with smarter delay tactics.

But, woulda, coulda, shoulda, the fact remains, good teams win these types of games and we won.

[Calgarian]

Well that was a disappointing result, Canada needs to learn how to win these kind of games...

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Well that was a disappointing result, Canada needs to learn how to win these kind of games...

By trying to deliberately injure their players? By dropping like a rock when a 5'8 145 Guatemalan brushes against our players? By throwing piss and shit, among other things when we see Guatemalans arriving at the stadium, or blasting megaphones at their hotels at 3 , while the police laugh?

No thanks. I'd rather Canada play with dignity.

Speaking of which, I'm definitely against the ICE raids, but I'd love to see one of these Latin American assholes try this at a World Cup game in Texas. If an American player is sent off, what are the odds that ICE makes an unexpected "visit," to their hotel, and ships the team off to a Libyan detention camp?

[elly63]

A bunch of people are losing their poop over the Guatemala game, I have no problem with it. Actually the only problem I have is not playing a couple of extra games to further get the young players playing time.

Pundits declaring we would win the GC was ridiculous. We have the potential to be a good team but to win we have to beat Mexico and the US both on a consistent basis. Anyone of the three and you can include Panama who were dealt the same blow as us can win this region.

I'm not going to crap on Shaff or De Fougerolles or Cornelius. The time to do stupid poop and learn from it is now. I think this was a big enough disappointment to drive the message home.

Also I think Marsch has learned some humility. I said from the beginning I didn't like the hire as he would be a soap opera especially with his relations to the US. But I won't crap on him either, his honeymoon is over and now it's time to be a big boy coach and not a two bit carny hypnotist.

Liam Millar is back training with Hull City, mark my words if he can get to his past level he will be a difference maker for us and allow us to use Shaff in the way he should be used.

I won't say we miss Davies but we really miss Bombito, hope he comes back 100 percent.

Got to get Max back in the net. Dayne is not an inspirational leader, I can't blame him for anything but a keeper has to steal some games, he hasn't. The problem is he fits the typical Euro goalie mold (big frame) and he's Marsch's favourite.

All in all, a good comeuppance can be worth its weight in gold, I just hope Marsch hasn't lost the room with his shenanigans.

[svlt]

Originally Posted by elly63

A bunch of people are losing their poop over the Guatemala game, I have no problem with it. Actually the only problem I have is not playing a couple of extra games to further get the young players playing time.

Pundits declaring we would win the GC was ridiculous. We have the potential to be a good team but to win we have to beat Mexico and the US both on a consistent basis. Anyone of the three and you can include Panama who were dealt the same blow as us can win this region.

I'm not going to crap on Shaff or De Fougerolles or Cornelius. The time to do stupid poop and learn from it is now. I think this was a big enough disappointment to drive the message home.

Also I think Marsch has learned some humility. I said from the beginning I didn't like the hire as he would be a soap opera especially with his relations to the US. But I won't crap on him either, his honeymoon is over and now it's time to be a big boy coach and not a two bit carny hypnotist.

Liam Millar is back training with Hull City, mark my words if he can get to his past level he will be a difference maker for us and allow us to use Shaff in the way he should be used.

I won't say we miss Davies but we really miss Bombito, hope he comes back 100 percent.

Got to get Max back in the net. Dayne is not an inspirational leader, I can't blame him for anything but a keeper has to steal some games, he hasn't. The problem is he fits the typical Euro goalie mold (big frame) and he's Marsch's favourite.

All in all, a good comeuppance can be worth its weight in gold, I just hope Marsch hasn't lost the room with his shenanigans.

Agree. The GC now that Canada will almost be guaranteed a perennial ticket to the World Cup every edition, especially with expanded entrants, is much less important than before, where it was the only thing Canada could hope to play in. It's a training tournament and a lot of players choose to skip it, it happens every 2 years unlike the Euros and AFC cup which is every 4 and we have the Nations League almost every year which is about the same thing, minus having to play as many shithousery teams or "almost there" teams like ES or Curacao or Guatemala. Cherry on top, it doesn't even qualify you to the Confederations Cup anymore since it doesn't exist.

The GC has lost a ton of luster and I barely got excited about it even when Canada was winning its Group Stage. I mean no shade to the other teams but for the purposes of the WC the only relevant teams we'd play were Mexico and the US and it's a shame we didn't get to - that's about it. Schedule a friendly with them if we want to. The Trophy is now kind of meaningless and it's not sour grapes, it's just kind the devaluation of the tournament over the past 10 years. I don't see it as any more meaningful than Nations Leagues games we play against the 2-3 competitive CONCACAF teams anyway.

Frankly I would be more interested in watching friendlies that Canada plays against France, Netherlands, Germany etc. in a World Cup preparation year like this one than the Gold Cup.

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by elly63

A bunch of people are losing their poop over the Guatemala game, I have no problem with it. Actually the only problem I have is not playing a couple of extra games to further get the young players playing time.

Probably because you were never an elite athlete, and have no concept of sportsmanship. Try this in hockey, and you will wind up unemployable.

FIFA should penalize dirty teams and their fans to change the culture of "run into an opposing player, then go down like you have been shot and grab your knee in agony until the referee red cards an innocent player."

Canadians are paying the price for being too classy, and to blame the players or coach for this goes to show you lack the ability to tell right from wrong.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by BlackDog204

Probably because you were never an elite athlete, and have no concept of sportsmanship. Try this in hockey, and you will wind up unemployable.

That was El Salvador. Please save your usual BS takes for your socialist buddies in the politics threads. We don't need your puerile vomit here.

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by elly63

That was El Salvador. Please save your usual BS takes for your socialist buddies in the politics threads. We don't need your puerile vomit here.

Now now Elly.

Don't get upset. Once you take your afternoon nap, you should feel better.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by BlackDog204

Now now Elly.

Don't get upset. Once you take your afternoon nap, you should feel better.

Please go back to trolling the political threads and don't bring your putrid bile here.

[elly63]

I like to post serious player transfer rumours and that is fun but not always accurate. I try to post them later in the process so they aren't just totally wild speculation.

But when I post one sourcing this guy, Fabrizio Romano, you can usually take it to the bank.

[elly63]

I have to say I agree with the above post. Personally I would have got rid of Nation's League, as the Gold Cup had more tradition, but either way it is too much soccer for the players.

I was hoping our guys would beg off the Gold Cup (especially Johnny) since they needed a rest and we needed to have the young guys getting regular minutes.

I know our players love playing for our NT but too much of a good thing sometimes isn't good. I want some of the regulars to get a break from it and then miss the team so hopefully they'll be even more eager to join the NT again.

I don't think it would be a bad idea for the GC to be a development tournament for us. Use the up and coming players and add a few from the NT who aren't regulars to lend some experience. I have posted our 60 man rosters here so there are enough people to fill out a GC lineup. People like Theo Bair, ZBG, Theo Corbeanu, Steven Afrifa, Scott Kennedy, Kwasi Poku, C-A Brym, James Pantemis, Jonathan Sirois and many others. These are guys who deserve a shot and a chance to maybe get back in the main lineup again or a first time look.

I agree with wanting to see us playing different teams than the usual continental rivals. I also think I would rather see experimental teams in the GC without the usual NT regulars.

I think it is great hubris for us to think we'll win the tournament. Sure, we could, but so could four or five other good teams, so the odds aren't great unless a team is overwhelming and against the US and Mexico we're not. Yet.

[elly63]

Six million Euros salary and two million Euros in bonuses per year

[elly63]

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