Soccer in Canada | Canada Hosting the 2026 World Cup

[elly63]

Herdman knows battle versus USA will be 'big' for Canadian soccer
Canadian Men's Head coach John Herdman talks about his team's upcoming game against the USA, and how big of an impact it can make country-wide.

Canada vs US (Nations League A) Tuesday, Oct 15, 2019 - 7:30 pm EST

[elly63]

Canadian men’s soccer team aiming to end more than 30 years of hurt
Tuesday night’s match in Toronto offers John Herdman’s team a chance to put an end to the same old tune against the U.S., Kristian Jack writes.
Kristian Jack tsn.ca Oct 14, 2019

Back in 1996, the Football Association in England approached Ian Broudie, singer and guitarist of the band Lightning Seeds, to make a song for the home nation’s European Championships campaign.

Broudie reluctantly agreed, and after comedians David Baddiel and Frank Skinner joined him the song the world now knows as Football’s Coming Home was born.

It remains very much alive today. Football of course did come home for that country during the tournament, but the one line that was sung most passionately that year, and ultimately needed to be changed for future versions, was in reference to the gap between successes at a major tournament.

Thirty years of hurt.

John Herdman was just 20 at the time and lived Euro 96 as a young man growing up in the football heartbeat of the North East of England.

Now the head coach of Canada’s men’s national team, Herdman is focused on ending another winless run.

“It’s a 30-year hiatus,” he said, avoiding using the word hurt.

Herdman is referring to the last time Canada defeated the U.S. It happened in a 1985 friendly in Vancouver, which is actually 34 years ago – a run of 17 games since Canada last beat their rivals to the south. You have to go back to 1980 for the last time Canada won this matchup in a competitive game.

“It’s clear to the group that it isn’t their history, it’s only what is ahead of us now,” Herdman said. “It is a talented group, but there have been other talented groups that have played against the U.S.”

So what makes this one so different?

“The mindset is very clear and we’ve got a mission and that is to take this group to the World Cup in 2022,” Herdman said. “With the U.S. there is a rivalry there, and that’s great, but they are standing in the way of getting there for this group.”

Herdman is cleverly motivating his group for something much bigger than this game. Tuesday night’s match offers Canada an opportunity to not only end a long winless run against a rival but also get vital points in League A of the Concacaf Nations League that can help them move up in world rankings and become one of the top six countries in the region. Crucially, this would place them in the Hexagonal Qualifying Round for the 2022 World Cup rather than having to go through a gruelling lower-seeded route where they would need to play and advance through 14 matches before an intercontinental playoff with a team from another region to make it to Qatar.

For a nation that has lacked important, competitive matches for far too long, this is the exact reason why the Nations League was created and gives Herdman and the rest of Canada an opportunity to test the team when the stakes are high.

Herdman feels his players are ready.

“It will come down to the will to get the job done,” he said. “They have the belief. They think they have the talent to get the job done. Canada has always wanted to beat the USA and I think it will come down to who wants it more. I think our boys will leave it all out there and there is nothing better than a football match like that, when it is all on the field.”

Canada might have a chance should the difference in the result come down to who wants it more. Comfortable as a powerhouse in this region it’s clear this game doesn’t mean as much for the U.S. but it’s still a game everyone there believes they should win.

That confidence comes despite an external lack of positivity following Gregg Berhalter’s team around at the moment. Last week, much of the coverage on the side focused on the two-year anniversary of the team not qualifying for the 2018 World Cup. In truth, this program is nowhere near clear of the scars that came from their divorce from other established soccer powers and no matter how they perform on Tuesday that will remain.

Former boss Jürgen Klinsmann is adamant that they shouldn’t even be playing this match as it gives USA Soccer no chance to improve.

“It’s a waste of time, I’m telling you,” Klinsmann said in an interview with ESPN when asked about the Nations League. “It’s a waste of time because you that need [that competition] as a country. I mean, talking about Mexico, everyone is hoping for the fifth game in the World Cup. You’re not reaching that fifth game in the World Cup if you play the teams you are playing now in the Nations League in CONCACAF. You are not.

“Because you need to play Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Holland and England. That is your competition. And when you have an opening for a national team window and you can maybe make one or two friendly games, you need to play Argentina or Germany and not a CONCACAF team.”

Jason Davis, one of the most established members of the media when it comes to covering soccer in the United States, hosts a daily three-hour talk show on Sirius XM. Recently he opened up discussion about this match saying: “Is there any real threat from Canada? Should we be worried? I feel as though I’m not giving Canada enough credit, but at the same time, it’s Canada. I don’t want to believe that the United States has fallen so far that we should be really worried about the U.S. men’s national team playing Canada.”

Klinsmann and Davis are right to question Canada, a team that, until now, was never on the radar of U.S. Soccer. Although Canada is clearly improving, it’s also a team with emerging stars in attacking areas and a lack of them defensively. Most people with any connection to U.S. Soccer look down on them.

However, just how high they are standing is up for debate. This is a U.S. team that has played 40 competitive games since the 2014 World Cup and, remarkably, only eight of them have been away from home. Hosting Gold Cups and even a Copa America on home soil may have been good for some people’s pockets, but it hasn’t exactly made the team battle-hardened.

If they win on Tuesday night in Toronto it will be just the second time since the World Cup in Brazil that they have won a competitive game away from home. Back in September of 2016 they won 6-0 at St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Klinsmann believes the team won’t get better unless they play powerhouses around the globe, but a 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign that began under his leadership ended in a disaster because they failed to win any of their five away games in the Hexagonal Round of this very region.

It should be refreshing for their young core to have an opportunity test themselves in a competitive match on the road and control a game they are expected to win.

For a change football is no longer coming home for them. This is Canada’s turn with years of hurt behind them, hoping to put an end to the same old tune against the U.S.

[elly63]

Canada's Davies on Golden Boy shortlist
TSN.ca Staff Oct 15, 2019

Canadian soccer star Alphonso Davies was named to the 20-man shortlist of the 2019 European Golden Boy award on Tuesday. The award is given annually to the best player under the age of 21 in Europe and previous winners include Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe.

Canadian soccer star Alphonso Davies was named to the 20-man shortlist of the 2019 European Golden Boy award on Tuesday.

The award is given annually to the best player under the age of 21 in Europe. Previous winners include Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe.

Davies has two goals in 11 matches with Bayern Munich since joining the German club in January. The former Vancouver Whitecaps star scored eight goals in 31 MLS games in 2018.

The 18-year-old will be a part of Canada's lineup Tuesday night for their CONCACAF Nations League game against the United States.

Other players named to the European Golden Boy shortlist Tuesday include 2018 winner Matthijs de Ligt and rising Portuguese star Joao Felix.

The winner of the award will be announced on Dec. 16.

The following players were listed on the 20-man shortlist:

Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan), Ansu Fati (Barcelona), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Matteo Guendouzi (Arsenal), Erling Braut Haland (RB Salzburg), Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen), Joao Felix (Atlético de Madrid), Dejan Joveljic (Eintracht Frankfurt), Moise Kean (Everton), Kang-in Lee (Valencia CF), Andrij Oleksijovyc (Valladolid), Donyell Malen (PSV Eindhoven), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Ferran Torres (Valencia CF), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Nicolo Zaniolo (AS Roma).

[elly63]

The US streak is over. Canada 2 US 0.

Davies and Cavallini score, David misses some good chances.

The people who were supposed to supply the offense and scoring did. The pre game press had the Americans sayiing why are they playing Canada and not top tier teams.

This game shows what happens when you attack with no fear. Canada had far more dangerous scoring chances and deserved the win. Davies for the first two thirds of the game, before he was subbed out, was a one man wrecking crew. Cavallini again showed how lethal a scorer he is, something that has been the hallmark of David (until tonight)

Just great to see the depth of the Canadian side as well, Davies and David sub out, Hoilett and Cavallini sub in. Young Liam Millar called it over a year ago "They're no better than we are."

[trueviking]

that was a must win for Canada's world cup qualifying hopes....the next one kind of is too....shame a game of that scale wasn't even televised in Canada....i thought those days were over.

[Denscity]

Originally Posted by trueviking

that was a must win for Canada's world cup qualifying hopes....the next one kind of is too....shame a game of that scale wasn't even televised in Canada....i thought those days were over.

Ya who had the tv rights for this match? Both networks have a ton of Toronto based channels with a game in their own backyard and no television??
Against our next door neighbours?

[elly63]

Originally Posted by trueviking

that was a must win for Canada's world cup qualifying hopes....the next one kind of is too....shame a game of that scale wasn't even televised in Canada....i thought those days were over.

It was televised in Canada if you subscribe to OneSoccer who own the rights to CPL and the NTs. Personally, I watched it on UniMas in Spanish and thoroughly enjoyed the thrashing.

[Denscity]

Dumb question OneSoccer is online only? I've got hundreds of channels and no monitor is the size of my tv so I'd prefer to watch it on the tube.

[ZeDgE]

Originally Posted by Denscity

Dumb question OneSoccer is online only? I've got hundreds of channels and no monitor is the size of my tv so I'd prefer to watch it on the tube.

You can use a chromecast to cast to your TV, or a smart box like an apple TV or Nvidia Shield.

[Denscity]

Originally Posted by ZeDgE

You can use a chromecast to cast to your TV, or a smart box like an apple TV or Nvidia Shield.

Ok thanks cheers

[elly63]

Herdman names young roster for Canada's January games
Canada soccer coach John Herdman has called up under-17 star Jayden Nelson and five other newcomers for a trio of international matches later this month.
The Canadian Press TSN.ca Jan 3, 2019

TORONTO — Canada soccer coach John Herdman has called up under-17 star Jayden Nelson and five other newcomers for a trio of international matches later this month.

The 17-year-old Toronto FC 2 forward is part of a young squad for friendlies Jan. 7 and 10 against Barbados and Jan. 15 against Iceland. All three games will take place in Irvine, Calif., at the Orange County Great Park with the Canadian men assembling for a 12-day camp.

Canada is currently ranked 73rd in the world, compared to No. 39 for Iceland and No. 162 for Barbados.

The Canadians are chasing valuable FIFA ranking points in a bid to crack the top six in CONCACAF and make the Hex round of World Cup qualifying, the most direct route to Qatar 2022 out of the region that covers North and Central America and the Caribbean

Other newcomers to the senior squad are Theo Bair of the Vancouver Whitecaps, Zorhan Bassong of Belgium's Cercle Brugge KSV, Canadian Premier League MVP Tristan Borges of Forge FC, Charles-Andreas Brym of Portugal's Belenenses SAD and Toronto FC's Jacob Shaffelburg.

Veterans include Vancouver's Tosaint Ricketts (59 caps) and Russell Teibert (25 caps), Montreal's Samuel Piette (46 caps) and Toronto's Jonathan Osorio (31 caps).

Herdman's selection hand was forced by the fact that the January matches fall outside FIFA's international window. And with most European leagues still in full flight, prying players from their clubs is difficult.

That explains why the January squad is missing some 15 players summoned for the CONCACAF Nations League match against the U.S. in November. Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Jonathan David (KAA Gent) and Junior Hoilett (Cardiff City) are among those left with their clubs.

Despite those missing in action, Herdman is excited at seeing his young roster.

"We get a real opportunity to give these players a chance to be seen and continually develop," he said in an interview. "The depth and the talent is always on paper until it's tested. I think these players will be tested against both Barbados and Iceland, two very different types of teams with different styles."

Eighteen of the 26 players summoned are with MLS clubs including seven from Toronto FC, five from the Vancouver Whitecaps and three from the Montreal Impact.

Herdman did not fulfil all of his domestic wish list with Lucas Cavallini (Vancouver), Mark-Anthony Kaye (LAFC) and Anthony Jackson-Hamel (Montreal) recovering from injuries ahead of MLS training camps.

Cavalry FC goalkeeper Marco Carducci, FC Edmonton defender Amer Didic and Forge FC's Borges come from the CPL. Borges, an attacking midfielder, was the leading scorer in the Canadian league's inaugural season.

Canada is no stranger to January camps or matches. The Canadian men met Iceland twice in January 2015 in Orlando, losing 2-1 and tying 1-1 with Dwayne De Rosario scoring both goals for Canada.

The Canadian men are 0-1-2 all-time against Iceland and 1-0-0 against Barbados, thanks to a 1-0 win in January 2014.

Canada is chasing No. 69 El Salvador, which currently stands sixth in CONCACAF. The June rankings will determine the top six in the region and the field for the Hex which will send three teams to Qatar.

Canada will look to use FIFA international windows in March and June to boost its points total. Games played outside the windows are worth points, but not as many.

Iceland can help Canada's cause. It plays El Salvador on Jan. 19 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.

The Canadian men currently have 1,331 points, 15 behind El Salvador.

The hope is Canada can keep winning and pressure on El Salvador. But Herdman also looks to get his team ready for whatever lies ahead.

"When we get to October this year, one way or the other we're going to be playing in World Cup qualification."

Teams ranked seventh and below in CONCACAF will have to slog through a longer qualifying process. The last team standing will face the fourth-place Hex finisher to determine who advances to an intercontinental playoff with a World Cup berth on the line.

Herdman calls the secondary qualifying route "very doable for Canada."

"It was always going to be a challenge to qualify for the Hex," he added. "The World Cup dream is still alive because we do have another opportunity if we don't make the Hex."

Nelson, Canada's Youth International Player of the Year in 2019, is the youngest in the squad at 17.

"This experience for him will be a real eye-opener," said Herdman, no stranger to promoting youth.

Toronto FC's Noble Okello is the other teenager in a squad that features 19 players 25 or younger.

The 21-year-old Brym is a former member of the Montreal Impact academy whom Canadian soccer officials have been tracking for some years. The 20-year-old Bassong, meanwhile, comes to camp despite being eligible to represent Belgium.

"We've managed to convince him to come in," said Herdman. "So it's an exciting camp in many ways ... It does show that we've got potential there.

"Whether these guys are ready to take us to the next level in the next two years, who knows? But (with) 2026, there's always one eye there as well," he said, referencing the world Cup Canada is co-hosting with the U.S. and Mexico.

Along with the six debutantes in camp, Okello, Carducci, Didic and Montreal's James Pantemis and Shamit Shome are looking to make their senior debut having already spent time in camp with Canada.

Herdman is also keeping one eye on Olympic qualifying, which goes in March.

"It's the best roster we believe we could call (up)," said Herdman. "And a lot of these U-23 players are getting opportunity because that's where they sit on the depth chart."

Iceland is preparing for a March Euro 2020 qualifier against Romania with the winner facing either Bulgaria or Hungary for a place in the tournament. The winner will land in a tough group alongside Germany, France and Portugal.

Canada

Goalkeepers: Marco Carducci, Cavalry FC (CPL); Maxime Crepeau, Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); James Pantemis, Montreal Impact (MLS).

Defenders: Derek Cornelius, Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Amer Didic, FC Edmonton (CPL); Manjrekar James, FC Midtjylland (Denmark); Kamal Miller, Orlando City SC (MLS); Samuel Adekugbe, Valerenga Fotball (Norway); Zorhan Bassong, Cercle Brugge KSV (Belgium); Marcus Godinho, FSV Zwickau (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Ashtone Morgan, Toronto FC (MLS).

Midfielders: Tristan Borges, Forge FC (CPL); Jay Chapman, Inter Miami CF (MLS); Liam Fraser, Toronto FC (MLS); Noble Okello, Toronto FC (MLS); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Samuel Piette, Montreal Impact (MLS); Shamit Shome, Montreal Impact (MLS); Russell Teibert, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS).

Forwards: Tesho Akindele, Orlando City SC (MLS); Theo Bair, Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Charles-Andreas Brym, Belenenses SAD U-23 (Portugal); Jayden Nelson, Toronto FC II (USL); Tosaint Ricketts, Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Toronto FC (MLS)

[elly63]

Canada (FIFA 73 ELO 57) will face Iceland (FIFA 39 ELO 45) on Wednesday January 15 2020.

Canadian fans can follow the team across Canada Soccer’s digital channels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, including behind-the-scenes coverage throughout their January camp abroad.

Interesting, those ELO ratings.

[JHikka]

http://www.voetbalnieuws.be/news/474...r-op-het-spoor

Club Brugge and Genk in Belgium are rumoured to be looking at CMNT midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye, currently of LAFC.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Club Brugge and Genk in Belgium are rumoured to be looking at CMNT midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye, currently of LAFC.

And speaking of Genk: Ooops Gent

Report: Canadian star Jonathan David being tracked by big European sides
Benjamin Baer mlssoccer.com January 13, 2020

One of Canada's brightest stars could be on the move.

French outlet L'Equipe reported over the weekend that Ligue 1 side Lyon is targeting Jonathan David ahead of a potential move. The report also notes that the transfer fee could prove to be around 20 million Euros due to the fact that the Gent forward — who turns 20 on Tuesday — is also drawing interest from Ajax and Porto.

The Ottawa native has 13 goals across all competitions for the Belgian side this season, including four in the Europa League. He had 14 goals for Gent last season, his first as a professional.

David burst onto the scene with the Canadian men's national team during the 2019 Gold Cup, scoring six goals, which helped him win the tournament's Golden Boot. He was also named to the tournament's Best XI. David has 11 goals in 12 caps, and is already among the top 10 goalscorers in Les Rouges history. He will likely return to the CanMNT squad in March, as they hope to qualify for the Hex.

...

Race for Canadian starlet hots up as Ajax consider offer

Ajax have joined a three-team race for Gent starlet Jonathan David.

The teenage talent is enjoying a breakout campaign in Belgium, where he has contributed nine goals and seven assists this season.

That has understandably led to a great deal of interest in his signature this month.

Ajax are one such club who are considering a move, according to L’Equipe, who report that they will battle Lyon and Porto for David’s signature.

He will not come cheap though and any interested parties will have to fork over at least €20m for the forward’s services.

David’s red hot form in recent years hasn’t just been confined to club duty either.

In 12 caps for Canada, he has contributed an incredible 11 goals.

...

L’Équipe report that in parallel with discussions with Villarreal for Cameroonian forward Karl Toko Ekambi, Lyon have registered an interest in Canadian international attacker Jonathan David, who turns 20 tomorrow.

The Gent player notably scored a double against OL’s fierce rivals St Étienne in the Europa League group stage earlier this season, but a deal would appear complicated as he is on absolute fire in Belgium: with 9 goals, and 7 assists in 19 appearances. A transfer would likely cost more than €20m.

Under contract until 2023, David is being watched closely by Ajax and FC Porto as well in particular.

[elly63]

Add Benfica to the rumours

Porto, Lyon, Ajax after Canada’s Jonathan David
Joel Soria nbcsports Jan 12, 2020

Jonathan David may be the next Canadian to play for a top European side.

Porto, Lyon, Ajax, and Benfica are all interested in signing the soon-to-be 20-year-old this winter from KAA Gent, according to France’s L’Equipe.

David wouldn’t come cheap however, as the Belgian side are reportedly asking upwards of $22 million for his services. Porto are reportedly the only team to have submitted an official offer for the Canadian thus far.

[JHikka]

via Canada Soccer (https://www.canadasoccer.com/)

[elly63]

[elly63]

27 clubs scouted Jonathan David on Thursday night; Nice & Lille included

Belgian site Voetbalkrant report that no fewer than 27 clubs had scouts present at Thursday night’s Europa League clash between Gent and AS Roma, which saw the latter side advance to the next stage of Europe’s 2nd tier conversation.

It is believed that the majority of the below sides were present to watch Canadian sensation and attacker Jonathan David.

The list included: Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Leicester City, Aston Villa, Wolves, Southampton, West Ham United, Eintracht Frankfurt, Hoffenheim, Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Schalke 04, Werder Bremen, PSV, Lille, Rennes, Nice, RC Lens, Stade de Reims and Sevilla.

Lyon, who were not present, made a proposal for David last month, who scored (vs Roma) last night.

[JHikka]

The CMNT friendly later this month in Victoria against T&T has already sold out. Tickets for the same fixture on the 31st go on sale this week.

[craneSpotter]

Originally Posted by JHikka

The CMNT friendly later this month in Victoria against T&T has already sold out. Tickets for the same fixture on the 31st go on sale this week.

Great to hear the game is sold out! We had an opportunity to get in on group tickets for that game (my kids soccer team is going as part of their season wrap-up party), but alas we are out of town the 27th. Hope the 31st sells out as well - Tuesday evening...

Go Canada!