Just over a month from 8-1 the pain is still fresh. It’s hard to see an advertisement for World Cup qualifying and not feel a profound sense of loss, frustration and anger.
The opportunity was right there in front of Canada. And, they choked in a way that would make TFC blush. There were no excuses and fans were not charitable in their reaction.
We, the fans, came out and supported them. The CSA supported them. They had every chance to advance to the hex and they failed miserably.
They failed because they played scared twice in five weeks. Yes, it’s hard to win on the road in CONCACAF, but it’s not so hard that you need to look that pathetic in "trying."
So, yes, it’s probably still too soon to break things down in a rational way.
However, it might have been long enough to conclude that it might have been a blessing in disguise.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
Yes, you read that right. Not the fact that they went out of the World Cup. That’s never a good thing anyway it’s spun. Rather, it might have been a blessing that they went out the way they did.
By losing by seven goals – SEVEN BLOODY GOALS – there is literally no way that anyone in Canada can put a pretty face on things. Had they gone down to Honduras and battled to a noble loss they’d still be every bit as dead as they are now. Losing by seven forces everyone in the game to look hard in the mirror.
The thing is there have been positive changes in the CSA and in development thinking in Canadian soccer. The 8-1 loss was not a reflection of the state of the game in 2012, but rather a reflection of where the game was 10-years ago when the current group of players came through the system. So, all hope isn’t lost going forward.
However, there remains enough petty regionalism and protective thinking in youth club politics in Canada to make one fear that we might be having this same conversation in 2022. Just look at the (idiotic) resistance to the Long Term Player Development plan (by idiots) for evidence.
In their desire to chase plastic u10 trophies, many people in this country hold back player development. Now, it’s hard for those people to ignore the drastic need for change. Suddenly, the progressive thinkers have a weapon to point to when making their arguments for the implantation of LTPD.
"Eight to one. Eight fucking one. We tried it your way and this is where we are. Now sit down, shut up and let the professionals run things."
That professional infrastructure is in its infancy in Canada. Thanks to that terrible, terrible day in San Pedro Sula it might have a chance to survive into maturity.