CONCACAF Soccer Update   By Aldwyn McGill

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 Canada U-17 Women win CONCACAF Championship

Canada defied the odds to win the CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Champions in Alajuela, Costa Rica, last Saturday. Playing short handed for the last 33 minutes the Canucks rode the rhythm of a Kinley McNicoll goal in the 8^th minute of play, to defeat Mexico 1-0 and win the championship.

 

But the final was anticlimactic as the real accomplishment came in the semi final match two days earlier. This was when Canada beat a red hot USA team 5-3 on penalty kicks, after the team had played 201 minutes of scoreless battle which included 120 minutes of regulation and overtime.

 

Canada coach Bryan Rosenfeld, deserves a lot of credit for motivating his team after coming off a devastating 1-0 loss against Mexico for the group title. More importantly was that Canada also lost an easier passage to the final, instead they had to face USA in the semi finals.

 

USA had demolished their opponents 32-0 and Canada was scoreless in 143 minutes. But Coach Rosenfeld came up with an improved team defense, which held together like glue to shutout the Americans and clinched a W-C berth and a spot in the Championship final.

 

In the penalty kicks of the semi final, the Americans Clarissa Wiedemayer missed one out of the USA five and kicking at a perfect four for four, Chantal Campbell sealed the deal for Canada, by converting the fifth penalty to start celebrations, with Weidemayer in tears.

 

However, those are the breaks in the fun and excitement of sports and the United States, which finished runners-up in the 2008 World championship to Korea DPR, had for the first time failed to qualify for a women's World Cup.

 

"It's always been my dream to go the World Cup and now that we're going there, I just want to cry," said Canada's Nicole Setterlund, who converted the fourth penalty for Canada. "Our team defended really hard. It was a battle. It was a war and we got lucky."

 

Luck also played on the side of Canada as the Americans missed two glorious opportunities to take the lead in the overtime period, and with the game finishing 0-0 after overtime, one would have to say that Canada had the momentum and upset was in the air.

 

But for Canada, the big PAYBACK was in play and the last laugh was the best. All the clichés apply here as Canada scored, and yes, Canada did score and like it so much that they were continuing the attack and looking for more goals.

 

Canada’s momentum carried over into the final against Mexico who was coming off a 3-1 overtime win against Costa Rica in the semi final, and must have thought they had Canada’s number after  their two wins in their last two matches.

 

Heading into the final, Mexico had beaten Canada twice in less than two weeks, 2-1 in the 4-Nations tournament in Trinidad, and 1-0 in their Group A clash, which sent Canada tumbling into the open arms of the confident Americans.

 

The win against USA boosted Canada’s confidence level and Mexico was feeling the brunt of heat. To Mexico surprise, it was a different Canada team than the one they played before and Canada’s Women were a spirited bunch.

 

Canada’s offense gave the defense a lead to defend and that’s all she wrote. Canada started both the Mexico and USA games pushing forward, but after some good saves by USA goal keeper Canada was rewarded and very early against Mexico.

 

But, in spite of the good offensive start in those games, Canada had to revert to a counter attack strategy late, and did an excellent job based on their defensive schemes from the semi final match against the strength of the Americans offense.

 

If winning (USA) is not everything, then one would have to tell me what transformed Canada to be more patient with their passing game which definitely improved their time of possession and their overall play.

But as is the case in must win situations, Mexico pushed forward for the equalizer and Canada went into a defensive mode. Canada went down a player with 33 minutes remaining, from an accumulation of two yellow cards, and handled the short handed situation well with the lead.   

 

Coach Rosenfeld did not adjust as well as I expected from the 4-Nations tournament into the early part of the CONCACAF Championship. But his team certainly turned it up a notch in its last two games to win the CONCACAF Championship.

 

Given all the scenarios coach Rosenfeld had faced in his last two tournaments, I think with the right preparation Canada should be fully prepared for the FIFA World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago, and advance deep into the tournament.

A bad week for Canada soccer                                                                    

 Kingston, Jamaica: Canada's men team lost its International friendly match against Jamaica Reggae Boyz at the ("Office") National Stadium in Kingston Jamaica. The blow came after Canada's women's U-20 team lost to Costa Rica and failed to qualify for the World Cup in Germany.

 

Canada men team was defeated 1-0 by the Reggae Boyz which sent the two team’s 2014 World Cup campaign in different direction. The game turned out to be a dull affair played before a sparse crowd in which Jamaica had the better of the exchanges and the deserved win.

However, for Canada's coach Stephen Hart, the trip to Jamaica must have been quite an adventure, after being hit with surprise after surprise, and not of a pleasant nature. Hart had two successful stints as Canada’s Interim coach, and this was his first chance as the official head coach and deserved better luck.

First he learnt that Adrian Serioux, his central defender, was unable to make the trip due to an incident in which he had injured his shoulder. Then at the practice at the St Georges College ground in Jamaica the day (Saturday) before the game, Dwayne De Rosario his minister of offense, pulled up lame.

At the time everyone was hoping that it was just a little muscle soreness or Dwayne's cautiousness to prevent any serious damage to a potential situation, but that was not the case. The damage was done, and just like that, Dwayne De Rosario was out for the Jamaica match the next day.

Needless to say, I thought that was the straw that broke Stephen Hart back. Under normal circumstances, Jamaica is no push over, and for Canada to face the Reggae Boyz at the Office where winning is usually difficult and having to juggle players, was not a good start for Canada and coach Hart.

Canada team was full with new faces and I am certain that De Rosario and Adrian Serioux were recalled to add the experience, leadership, and toughness for the Jamaica game. With the new faces in the team Julian De Guzman was coach Hart only prayer for leadership.

But by now it should be obvious to coach Hart, that most teams with the Reggae Boyz included, was going to put a player to shadow his ace midfielder De Guzman all over the field to limit his effectiveness.  Jamaica plan worked, as Omar Cummings stole the ball from De Guzman to set up the Jamaica lone goal.

As the game started Jamaica was on the offensive and with Canada key injuries, the Reggae Boyz went in search of a goal from the opening whistle. After the Reggae Boyz early pressure the game balance off somewhat but Canada inability to attack effectively showed where De Rosario was terribly missed.

But Canada defense was very hard to penetrate and whatever slim chances the Reggae Boyz had they either squandered or the Canada defense was up to the task and snuffed out. Jamaica fans were getting very impatient for the Boyz to move forward after Canada threat in the offense was non existent.

Canada deserves a lot of credit defensively or keeping its shape and also keep a clean sheet up to the half. At times you could have heard Jamaica supporters moaning and groaning when the plays had to be restart from Jamaica back line due to Canada defense allowing Jamaica no space to penetrate.

Canada managed to generate a few chances of its own, but in reality, it was the Reggae Boyz game to win and Canada’s match to draw.  Injuries raised its ugly head again for coach Hart, when Antonio Riberio went down and Adrian Cann had to enter the game just before halftime.

The second half started a little different. Canada was on offense but the plays fizzled. Jamaica took control of the game and the lead in the 68th minute after De Guzman lost possession to Cummings who fed Luton Shelton who made no mistake to give Jamaica a 1-0 lead.

Both team made changes but it was Jamaica who maintained control and won the match 1-0, to get a running start to its 2014 Brazil World Cup campaign. Canada on the other hand will have to arrange more friendly matches and hope that Coach Steve Hart has better luck with his player and injuries, the next time around!

However, before the Jamaica friendly; the real disappointment for Canadian soccer fans was when Canada U-20 Women came up short at the CONCACAF Championship after suffering a 1-0 loss to Costa Rica in its match for third place.  It was Canada Women second lost in as many games and the most critical in the Women U-20 short history since it eliminated the team from the FIFA World Cup for the first time.

 

Canada announce its 2009 Players of the Year winners.

As the New Year approaches, it is usually the time of year when we reflect on the past year; to see if we could plan for the year or if you are wise, just plan for tomorrow.

 

To many times we hear the cliché of “live one day at a time’, but its unfortunate that those words are mostly at sad times like funerals or when people discover that others have a serious ailment or had a close brush with death.

 

 In sports the same applies. The experience coaches and players would always insist that they are taking one game at a time, and thought we like to think they are being politically correct, it is the way the race develops, and by extension, life unfolds.

 

For organization it may mean winning championships and/or meeting simple objectives which were set out at preseason. For players it helps for the team to accomplish its objective, to give you a better environment to improve your game especially if you helped directly in the team’s success.

 

In life, many people make New Year’s Resolution to accomplish X, and by this time next year, they may have covered Y and Z, because their resolution was not realistic or within their capabilities.

 

The fact that everyone likes to get to the top, does not necessarily means that everyone gets there. There is nothing wrong with a little compromise. Relative to winning championships, some teams are contented with basic improvements. Promotion, playoffs etc;

 

However, before Compromise, one has to be Energize and get up to get things done. One also has to Economize, since you should not spend what you don’t have. And last, but not least, Privatize.

 

You should stay home and related better to the love ones around you if you cannot afford to go out. Make New Year’s resolution (if you have to) that you can achieve. Enjoy each day (within reason) like it is your last and reflect the past while planning for tomorrow.

 

The winners of the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) Player of the Year were announced last week and I’m sure that the winners would reflect on their past season in enjoying their award, while planning and setting new objectives for the 2010 season.

 

In Canada’s U-17 male and female category, Russell Teibert and Abigail Raymer were the respective winners.

 

Raymer the Victoria, BC striker, was a member of the British Columbia bronze medal team at the 2009 BMO National Championships Nutrilite All Stars U-16 girls competition in Laval, QC, and also a part of the 2010 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship and in July,

 

Midfielder Teibert, the U-17 male winner, split his 2009 season between the national U-17 team and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency side. He was Canada’s team captain at the 2009 CONCACAF Men’s Under-17 Championship in Tijuana, Mexico.

 

In the U-20 category, Nana Attakora and Chelsea Stewart was the respective Player of the Year winners.

 

Chelsea Stewart, made six appearances at the national level under new head coach Carolina Morace, and played for both the Canada’s Women team and the U-20 team, where she served as captain.

 

Nana Attakora, the TFC defender is now a two-time winner of award, and like Stewart, he served as a Canadian captain at the U-20 level. Attakora played 20 games for Toronto FC during the 2009 Major League Soccer season, and scored two big goals with four assists helping Toronto FC win the 2009 Voyageurs Cup.

Chris Jackson of Mississauga, ON, and Christine Sinclair of Burnaby, BC, was the male and female winners of the 2009 Canadian Player of the Year awards.

 

The award was Sinclair’s fifth-consecutive, as she embarked on a new experience with her new team FC Gold Price in the Women’s Professional Soccer. She led her team with six goals (tied for fifth in the league) in its inaugural season.

 

Simeon Jackson worked wonders in 2009 as the 22-year old Gillingham FC striker helped his team earn promotion to League One in England, by scoring nine goals on 25 appearances in the second half of the 2008-09 season.

 

His feat included three goals in the final two playoff matches, and the lone goal winner before 53,706 fans at Wembley Stadium against Shrewbury. Jackson gave Gillingham FC the 1:0 win on a header in the 91st minute of play.

 

One week later, he duplicated the feat on his international debut with the Canadian national team by scoring the lone goal in a 1:0 victory over Cyprus in Larnaka. Jackson was also part of Canada at the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup and by year’s end has accumulated several national caps.

Jackson got 18.2% of the votes in beating Dwayne De Rosario (17.6) and Julian de Guzman (17.4) for the award

Dwindling options for Canadian Caribbean soccer fans

Just when the Canadian Caribbean fans were anxiously awaiting their teams making a move for the top two positions of their group 2 of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers the Canucks blew an early lead and came up short in a 2-1 loss to Honduras while the Jamaica Reggae Boyz did the unthinkable and gave up an early goal against Mexico in Mexico City to set the tone for a smothering 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Mexicans.

 

Haiti did not do much for their cause by being trounced by El Salvador 5-0 and Cuba on the other hand was on the short end of a 1-0 loss to USA. As a result at present the burden of the Canadian Caribbean World Cup hopes seems to sit squarely on the shoulders of the Trinidad and Tobago Soca Warriors who slipped up somewhat by conceding the equalizing goal to Guatemala at the 95 minute after taking the lead in the game ten minutes earlier.

         

After taking an early 1-0 lead  on a powerful header by Adrian Serioux from a Patrice Bernier corner kick at the 5th minute of play, Canada could not keep up the momentum as Honduras managed to regrouped after the break and scored two goals early in the second half and held on. Canada made a late surge with 10 men that was too late.

 

However in retrospect the Honduras game was a devastating loss for Canada and with Mexico on their plate this Wednesday at press time the Canucks could find themselves up a creek without a paddle in Mexico City in search of at least a point to have any shot of advancing out of Group 2.

 

Heading into the Honduras game last Saturday I though the game was even since Canada had the home field advantage but that theory was blown to bits as soon as I arrived in Montreal and Saputo Stadium looked like San Pedro Sula Stadium in Honduras with an 8:1 advantage of Honduras supporters in national colours.

 

In spite of the disparity in supporters Canada scored on a powerful header by Adrian Serioux from a Patrice Bernier left side corner kick to silence the crowd as a small number of Canada fans celebrate the goal.

However Honduras clawed back into the game and adapted to the heavy stadium field a lot better than to add to Canada woes their best offensive player in the game midfielder Thomasz Radzinski had to leave the game at the 15^th minute mark after suffering a serious cut to his hand after he slid into the touch line signs while making a last effort to convert on a scoring opportunity.

 

That was a big blow for Canada since their offensive punch disappeared and Honduras took control of the game with long periods of ball possession. Honduras struck for two goals just after halftime to defeat Canada 2-1 to the delight of pro Honduras crowd.

 

The CONCACAF W/C qualifiers continues on September 10 (press time) as Canada face off with Group 2 leader Mexico in a critical game at Tuxtla Gutierrez in Mexico while Jamaica plays Honduras in another tough game for the Reggae Boyz at San Pedro Sula in Honduras but Reggae Boyz coach Simoes remains optimistic and said that his team would perform better with the extra time in preparation for the game compared to the last minute fiasco of Hurricane Gustav.

 

The big showdown on Wednesday will be for first place in Group1 when the Trinidad & Tobago Soca Warriors play USA at the Toyota Park in Chicago while Guatemala tries to get back in the swing of the group race against Cuba in Guatemala City. Costa Rica in Group 3 play will try to secure a spot into the second round when they play Haiti in Port-Au-Prince while El Salvador will play Surinam at Paramaribo in Surinam.

 

 Canada missed Golden opportunity vs Jamaica