The Footie » canada

Coach Has High Hopes For Canada

Jyle Dupuis — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 07:34:23 +0000

Canada’s head coach Stephen Hart has high hopes for Canada and their drive towards the World Cup. The Canadian National Soccer team never seems to make it through the World Cup qualifying rounds. In fact the last time Canada even played in the World Cup was in 1986.

Stephen Hart - New Canada Soccer head coach

Hart plans on changing all of that and has promised to give more power and authority to their strong players and build their team to a level they would be comfortable with.

With Toronto in the MLS and Vancouver soon to follow, the game od soccer is emerging as a sport for Canada. It may not be as popular in Canada as Hockey but it might just become a nation pastime. Let’s hope that Canada makes it next time and that they are funded to a point where they can be supported as true athletes.

Image: TSN.ca

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Whitecaps lose 1-0 to Timbers

Jyle Dupuis — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:14:11 +0000

The Vancouver Whitecaps folded 1-0 to the Portland Timbers in last night’s game. The Whitecaps FC were scored on at the 30 minute mark by Portland’s Ryan Pore after receiving a great pass from Keita.

Vancouver Whitecaps

Vancouver slipped to 6 place in the United Soccer League 1 standings as a result of their loss. Their 7-8-4 record isn’t impressing the Major League Soccer Association who have decided to add the Whitecaps to the MLS in 2011.

It was assumed that Vancouver was awarded access to the MLS because of their world status and the fact that they will host the Winter Olympic Games.

Image: Newscom

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Canada Ranks 66 For FIFA World Cup

Jyle Dupuis — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:47:20 +0000

It’s not looking too good for Canada in their attempt at playing in the 2010 South Africa FIFA World Cup games. Their ranking has been tallied by the FIFA governing body as being in 66th place. This is not at all surprising considering we are a hockey country and only have two MLS teams.

Canadian Soccer Association

Soccer critics have blamed the Canadian Soccer Association for not giving their best players more support in the game. But I guess that’s what happens when there is no money from sponsors for the game.

The United States on the other hand has almost been able to take the top ten spot. This comes as renewed funding for the games has improved since the USA are looking towards sponsoring the World Cup games in the future.

The best Canada has ever done in the past was in 1996 when they placed 40th place in the ranking system.

Image: TSN.ca

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Mexico Wins Fifth Gold Cup!

Jyle Dupuis — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:37:48 +0000

The United Staes folded under pressure from Mexico after they pushed for a victory and ultimate win of the coveted 2009 Gold Cup. The Cup represents the best soccer nation in North and Central America. Canada made it to the quarter finals but it was the U.S. who believed they had it in the bag.

Mexico wins 2009 Gold Cup

The United States has won the cup four times in the past, Mexico now has them beat with five Gold Cup wins. Congratulations Mexico.

Image: Newscom.com

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Zidane Wraps Up Charity Match In Canada

Jyle Dupuis — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:52:05 +0000

Zinedine Zidane has been in Canada for the past few weeks now traveling from Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. His charity matches helped raise money for UNICEF and other causes.

Zinedine Zidane at Montreal Charity Match

His match in Montreal drew the largest crowd of over 15,000 people with Toronto trailing at 10,000 and ended with Vancouver in a shameful 4,000. The match in Vancouver however was a tough one as Zidane was forced to recover from an injury he sustained at the Canada fireworks display. Zidane decided to postpone the game that was played yesterday, however none of the other international soccer stars Zidane toured with showed up. To make matters worse the game venue had to be changed to Swangard Stadium as the original B.C. Place was unavailable. Though plagued with difficulty Zidane made it work as he played both sides.

Image: Newscom

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Canada Takes Group A Lead in Gold Cup

Jyle Dupuis — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:18:14 +0000

It was a proud moment for Canadian soccer fans when they took the Group A lead after a 2:2 tie with Costa Rica July 10th, 2009. The CONCACAF Gold Cup match bests the soccer skills of North and Central American Countries (basically N.America).

The Canadian national team will not head to Philidelphia where they will play in the Gold Cup quarter-finals that will take place next week. The CONCACAF Gold Cup match is a great series that will help prepare Canada for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Let’s hope that this victory in the Gold Cup series is a good sign for what we could expect to see there. Good luck Canada!

Image: TSN.ca

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Zidane To Sit Out Vancouver Game

Jyle Dupuis — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:38:41 +0000

Zidane was set to play a charity tribute game in Vancouver Saturday, though it seems he will have to sit this one out. He suffered a back injury after picking up his kid as they watched the fireworks display on Canada Day in Vancouver.

Fans from all over the Vancouver area have tickets to see the French living soccer legend, though without Zidane the game must go on.

Zidane was instrumental in bringing France to win the 1998 World Cup and 2000 Euro Cup. He retired after leading France to the 2006 World Cup finals after being sent off by refs when he head-butted Italian player Marco Materazzi. Zidane later said that he insulted him.

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Zidane Gets Warm Welcome in Canada

Jyle Dupuis — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:18:39 +0000

Zidane got a surprisingly warm welcome in Canada yesterday after playing against the Canadian All-Star team in Toronto, June 25, 2009. The retired French soccer star was asked and accepted to play in Canada for various world charities.

The BMO field was packed with 10,152 spectators who all came out to watch Zidane. The score drew 3-3 after Zidane and Friends couldn’t quite clench the lead. Zidane was scoreless though he did make some impressive passes. One kick failed to connect and another hit the post. Later, Zidane told reporters that he was not used to playing on artificial turf but added that he understands why it’s needed in a place like Canada.

Zidane and Friends will be playing in Montreal and Vancouver before heading home.

Image: Newscom

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Toronto FC Are New Nutrilite Champions!

Jyle Dupuis — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:07:04 +0000

Toronto FC have defied all odds and won the 2009 Nutrilite Canadian Championship. They were in a three point deficit behind the leading Vancouver Whitecaps, when they played the Montreal Impact last night. With this in mind Toronto managed to squeeze in 6 goals in the Montreal Impacts net making the final score 6:1.

At the beginning of the game they were hoping to at least secure a second place victory, but when things seemed to be going their way they pushed for the Championship title and winners of the 2009 Voyageurs Cup.

The Nutrilite Canadian Championship is the most prestigious soccer cup in Canada. Though many only see it as a stepping stone for the bigger CONCACAF Champions League where they get to play other country winners throughout North America. The first CONCACAF Champions game for the Toronto FC will be played against the Puerto Rico Islanders.

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Toronto Squashes Whitecaps in First Canadian Championship game

Jyle Dupuis — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:07:33 +0000

Toronto FC defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0 in the opening Nutrilite Canadian Championship games. Toronto had allot to prove as they are currently the only Canadian team in the coveted MLS. Vancouver will be joining in 2011 but the Montreal Impact will have to wait their turn.

Montreal won the Canadian Championship last year with Toronto barely defeating Vancouver for the send spot. With only three teams competing for the title that’s a huge deal. The next Nutrilite Canadian Championship game will be on May 27th in Vancouver (Whitecaps FC-Impact), June 2nd in Vancouver (Whitecaps FC-Toronto FC), and June 18th in Montréal (Impact-Toronto FC).

Check out CanadaSoccer.com for more information.

Image: TSN.ca

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