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    Guest
    Canadian u17 head coach Sean Fleming says he’s proud of all that his team has already accomplished, but, he’d be disappointed if this month’s World Cup represented the pinnacle of their achievement.
    “We had players tell us that they needed to save themselves for the World Cup,” Fleming said via conference call. “It’s not time to save yourself. We need to get at a higher level, we need to get better.”
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Although every team wants to win, Fleming says that the end goal for this age group is much more long-term.
    “As a coach it’s my job to try and make sure that as many of these players as possible one day play for the senior national team – that’s what we want for this group.”
    Canada opens the tournament against Uruguay on June 19 before playing England on June 22 and Rwanda on June 25. All three of Canada's group matches will be played in Pachuca. The young Canucks will warm up with two friendlies next week, playing Ecuador June 11 and Australia June 13.
    Fleming is realistic about the team’s chances at the World Cup – Canada has never won a game at any of its three previous appearances at the Finals – but does not want to put a limit on what might be possible.
    We are aware of where the opponents have been playing,” Fleming said, pointing out that one of England’s players dressed for a Europa League game for Liverpool this past season. “We’ve stressed to the guys that we need to worry about ourselves.”
    Although reluctant to put specific scoreboard goals in place, Fleming did say that they want to improve on past Canadian performances by winning at least one game and that he did not eliminate the possibility of advancing from the group.
    The team was blessed with an injury free player pool, which made for some tough roster choices, Fleming said. He hopes to build on the success they had at CONCACAF qualifying, where they did not allow a single goal until extra time of the final against the USA. The Canadians eventually lost the championship game 3-0.
    With 17 of the 23 players currently playing for one of the three professional academies, this Canadian team has the advantage of familiarity. That allows the Canucks to play a possession-based team game, Fleming says.
    The advancement of the pro academies has been vital to improved depth at the youth levels according to Fleming, but the club and provincial systems were still hugely influential in the player’s development.
    “It’s a great situation for this part of their journey,” Fleming said of the academies. “But, a great deal of credit has to be given to the provincial programs...We still need to have challenging games for these players.”
    Challenging games will not be an issue this month, with five on the agenda. Bring it on, says Fleming.
    “It’s great. I don’t bemoan it. It’s going to be a great challenge for those young players.”
    Guest

    Final u17 roster for World Cup

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    The Canadian u17 roster for the World Cup below the jump:
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    1- GK- Maxime Crépeau | CAN / Académie Impact Montréal
    2- M- Samuel Piette | FRA / FC Metz
    3- D- Tyler Pasher | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
    4- D- Ismaïl Benomar | CAN / Académie Impact Montréal
    5- D- Daniel Stanese | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps Residency
    6- D- Parker Seymour | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
    7- M- Marco Lapenna | CAN / Académie Impact Montréal
    8- M- Bryce Alderson | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
    9- F- Sadi Jalali | CAN / Edmonton Juventus
    10- M- Keven Aleman | Unattached / sans club
    11- M- Chris Nanco | CAN / Sigma FC Academy
    12- M- Matteo Pasquotti | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps Residency
    13- D- Luca Gasparotto | CAN / SC Toronto
    14- M- Omari Morris | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
    15- M- Sergio Camargo | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
    16- F- Jay Chapman | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
    17- F- Yassin Essa | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
    18- GK- Quillan Roberts | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
    19- M- Alex Halis | CAN / SC Toronto
    20- M- Michael Petrasso | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
    21- GK- Chad Bush | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
    22- D- Adam Polakiewicz | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
    23- M- Wesley Cain | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
    Guest
    By: Nathan Terlesky
    It is now obvious to the most casual of observers, Montreal has FC Edmonton’s number this season. The game on Saturday afternoon was dominated by Montreal, and Edmonton should have lost by 4 or 5 goals again. The effort turned in by the Eddies was perhaps the most uninspired this year. However, this is the game of football; not every game will be the best. Edmonton should not have been expected to go on a tear for the whole season; that type of play is reserved for Carolina.
    Perhaps the most positive news out of Saturday’s game was the continued play of Paul Hamilton, and the straight red against Rein Baart. The straight red will forced Coach Henry Sinkgraven to play Lance Parker again.
    For those unaware, this will be the second time this season that Parker will take over for Baart after Baart faces a suspension. Baart has continued to look shaky over the past few wins, and with any luck, Parker can demonstrate the play that won him “NASL Defensive Player of the Week” and be given more of a chance by the Dutch coach.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Edmonton plays the Carolina Railhawks on Friday night. Carolina is a team in possession of one of the best strikers in the NASL right now in Etienne Barbara. A match up of (in my opinion) one of the better defensive sides in the league against the unquestionable dominate offensive side should make for an excellent game, as well as a chance for Edmonton to demonstrate more than what they showed against Montreal. I am hopeful that instead of Barbara taunting the ESG as he taunted Ralph’s Mob in Tampa Bay, the ESG will be able to send a few choice words his way.
    ___
    On another note, and away from the pitch, as a new supporter of pro soccer in Canada I continue to be impressed with the class that many of the supporter groups around Canada demonstrate on a regular basis. The fact that an ESG member can go to both a Vancouver bar and spend time with supporters of the Whitecaps, then travel on to Toronto the same week and be actively sought out due to his FC Edmonton scarf, or that a group of fans will band together to help a fellow supporter who is unable to be away from his family attend a game, shows the quality and class of those here. In addition to this Canadian support, the recent donation from the Dark Clouds (supporting the NSC Minnesota Stars) to the Slave Lake fire victims is inspiring to say the least.
    Too many people view supporter groups as violent hooligans or people looking for a fight rather than fans that are incredibly passionate about the sport and their club or country. While the press in Edmonton has been positive for the Edmonton Supporters Group so far, the positive that supporters groups do across the board is largely ignored by the press and the mainstream public. I may be preaching to the choir, but occasionally it is important to promote our own selfless acts to show the country that you don’t need to be obsessed with the game to be a member.
    Guest
    Today, we're joined by the director of ANB Academy, Bassam Naim, who shuttered his academy doors on the day of the Canada v Ecuador game to ensure his membership would attend the match. We'll talk to him about that decision, why getting local clubs selling tickets are the gateway to ensuring home crowds for home teams and what else his Academy has been doing as of late.
    We'll also preview the Canada v USA Gold Cup game with a bit on the expected CMNT formations, compare war wound stories from some of our away game experiences and try to find something positive to talk about from the Toronto FC snorefest over the weekend.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <embed src="http://itscalledfootball.podhoster.com/FlowPlayerLight.swf?config={embedded:true,videoFile:%27http://itscalledfootball.podhoster.com/download/2540/23679/jun72011final.mp3%27,initialScale:%27scale%27,controlBarBackgroundColor:%270x778899%27,autoBuffering:false,loop:false,autoPlay:false}" width="400" height="25" scale="fit" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>
    Guest
    To no one’s surprise, the Montreal Impact today announced that they will continue to use the Impact name when they enter MLS next season.
    The pros of the name are that it’s the same in French and English and they’ve used it for a few years.
    The cons are that it’s God-awful.
    Inspired by the choice today, I’ve decided to re-visit a post I wrote for the old 24th Minute. The 10 worst North American soccer nicknames. The list is limited to D2 and above men’s teams along with D1 women’s.
    Enjoy?
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

    No. 10 - Cleveland Stokers
    “Hey dude ya wanna go check out the Stokers game?”
    “Yeah man, I’m like so stoked..stoked, like, get it?
    "Gnarly, dude. Gnarly."
    No. 9 - Tennessee Rhythm
    A “great” combination of the use of a State's name and non-tangible things as a nickname. Hey mom, wen I grow up I want to be a Rhythm. Aren’t there bears or something in Tennessee. What’s wrong with bears?
    No. 8 - Syracuse Salty Dogs
    I want to know just how they found out they were salty?
    No. 7 - San Diego Jaws
    One can only assume that this was named after the movie, rather than the bottom of the owner’s face.
    No. 6 - Montreal Impact
    Yeah, Mr. Toronto went there. Seriously though...Impact?
    No. 5 - Philadelphia Charge
    Shirt sponsor = Visa
    No. 4 - Bay Area CyberRays
    No space. What is a CyberRay anyway? I love it when teams are named after trends. The CyberRays were destined to always be stuck in the '90s. So, maybe it’s good for them the league folded.
    No. 3 - Sky Blue FC
    What does it even mean? If you don’t follow WPS how would you ever know where this team plays? This name, unlike others on this list, doesn’t sound bad to the ear it just makes no sense (I’m sure there is a story, but with WPS you don’t have time to learn said story).
    No. 2 - Jacksonville Tea Men
    I only wish I could have been in the stands cheering against a team named the Tea Men. So. Many. Jokes.
    No. 1 - Real Salt Lake
    The only name that actually hurts the credibility of a league. An absolute embarrassment that never gets easier to deal with. If I ever win the lottery, I’m buying Salt Lake just to change that abomination of a name.
    Guest
    If you’ve watched Canada long enough you know the drill -- defend well, stay organized and hope like hell that you get a chance on the counter that you can convert.
    The Canucks got to their one and only World Cup that way and have often gone with a bunker-and-pray approach against top competition. So, you’d be forgiven if you thought that Canada might start tomorrow’s game against the USA in the same way.
    You’d be wrong though. Canada is not going to sit back and let the Yanks take the game to them according to head coach Stephen Hart.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    “I don’t think right now it’s a situation where we bunker down and play a counter attack -- that’s not our game we don’t have that type of mentality anymore,” he said prior to training today.
    Against Ecuador last week Hart started what looked like a 4-5-1 formation with Simeon Jackson as a lone forward. At times the undersized Jackson was lost and Hart says that they have been working on a few different looks in training this week to try and get Jackson more involved.
    “We’ve been working on various things and within the three games we’ll show some (formation) flexibility,” Hart said.
    The hope is that by the time the third game of the group stage against Panama comes around that a spot in the quarters will be wrapped up and it will allow Hart to have a good look at everyone in camp. Perhaps Canada caught a break by drawing tournament co-favourite USA first. Coming off a game against Spain and not yet in full sync the Americans could be vulnerable.
    If Hart is thinking that way he wasn’t giving anything away today.
    “I haven’t given (whether it’s good to be playing the US first) much thought,” Hart said with a laugh. “At some point you have got to play everyone,” he added.
    Still, a good result tomorrow is important, the coach agreed.
    “I think in any tournament your opening game is important,” Hart said. “I’ve told the players that they need to focus on their game. I can’t make comments on the USA, only on Canada.”
    With the addition of David Edgar today to replace injured Dejan Jakovic, the Canadian 23-man roster is fixed for the tournament. Hart said that Edgar was brought in because of his versatility. He can play in the midfield as well as along the back-line.
    Hart would not confirm whether Julian De Guzman was held out of practice yesterday, but did acknowledge that the team has “a couple” injury concerns.
    Guest

    Your daily Gold: Day 1

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Each day during the Gold Cup I will be providing a round-up of all that is noteworthy and interesting in our wacky little confederation championship.
    Below the jump, day 1
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] The Results:
    Mexico 5-0 El Salvador
    Costa Rica 5-0 Cuba
    So not the most competitive of starts then.
    Javier Hernandez had a hat-trick and Mexico looked pretty much like Mexico in a somewhat surprising romp over El Salvador, while Costa Rica was all over hapless Cuba. The lopsided results are good news for the rest of the field as it makes group A far less likely to produce the best third place finisher.
    These type of results make it difficult to defend the all 12 teams from CONCACAF field, but what are you going to do? Bring back guest teams?
    No.
    It is what it is.
    Performance of the day
    It kills this Canada and Manchester City fan, but you can’t ignore the Little Pee hat-trick
    (Yes, I know...)
    Thanks for the condescending attention! (Mainstream media article of the day)
    God love a tournament that requires people to defend caring about it. Such is the Gold Cup – again, our CONFEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIP.
    Today, ESPN tells us five reasons why we (Ok, Americans) should care
    (sigh)
    What about the Canucks? (Canadian news of the day)
    It’s not good (nor unexpected). Dejan Jakovic, who seems to play his best football for the national team, is out for the tournament.
    David Edgar was added to the 23-player roster, but will not be with the team unless he is needed (i.e. another player gets hurt).
    What’s on tap for today?
    Two more blow-outs likely. Group B kicks off with Jamaica v Grenada and Honduras v Guatemala. They start at 9 and 11 p.m. EDT.
    Canadian Soccer News has placed Squizz on a temporary suicide watch for the duration of the Honduras game.
    Guest

    FIFA v the people, part MMMMCMXCIX

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    This anti-FIFA corruption protest video was sent to me via Twitter by an individual in the UK. It's worth a look:
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]


    The track and video edit done by the group Soulbruthas. Much of original vid was from BBC Panorama programme FIFA's Dirty Secrets.
    It’s becoming more and more clear that the fans of the game are about done with the corruption and aren’t going to stop demanding change. If Sepp Blatter lasts the full four years it might be an uncomfortable term for him.
    Guest

    Sepp Blatter: Just don’t look

    By Guest, in Onward Soccer,

    There’s an episode of The Simpsons where a bunch of giant advertising mascots come to life and start destroying Springfield. All looks hopeless, until Lisa teams up with Canadian singer/songwriter Paul Anka, who saves the day with a little ditty about how advertising disappears if you “just don’t look.”
    I’m thinking it might be time for the media to take a similar approach with FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Blatter recently celebrated being acclaimed to yet another needless term in office with a truly head-scratching presser. The twin messages: FIFA is not in a corruption crisis, and what is the matter with you miserable scribes that you don’t get that?
    The denial and arrogance are breath-taking, but after a while, so what? How, I wonder, would the picture change if the media simply stopped showing up at Blatter news conferences?
    It’s not as if Blatter is breaking any actual FIFA news. The real work, right now, is being done by journalists like Andrew Jennings and Declan Hill – people who dug through the dirt, got the goods and are gleefully screaming from the hilltops.
    It’s also not like Blatter has ever been particularly on-point when addressing the media. Female soccer players should wear sexier shorts, domestic rosters should have six home-grown players, soccer needs a penalty box, top leagues should be smaller to reduce fixture backlog, and no – no way! – do the Confederations Cup or World Club Championship increase fixture backlog in any way at all.
    FIFA makes news – constantly – but it’s not Blatter who charts the policy or offers real answers to fair, probing questions. Whatever actually power he still wields behind the scenes, his public role is that of a preening, narcissistic figurehead who seems quite content that press conferences are meant to feed his own vast ego, rather than the global need to know.
    So … why bother? Why let this lizard have any lime-light at all?
    When important FIFA news breaks, call Jennings or Hill or a more local soccer head, and run the reaction story. The after-effects are more important than the basic policies anyway. Or, if FIFA clarification is needed, get it from someone in the organization who actually wants to clarify.
    These are explosive days at soccer’s world headquarters. Corruption scandals are exploding, and big names like CONCACAF president Jack Warner – a silent-movie villain, if ever this modern world has seen one – are being punished and investigated like never before.
    Why not, then, leave the news-breaking to people who obviously value truth, communication and a less-corrupted future? Short of saying “I resign,” or attempting to award the 2026 and 2030 World Cups, why does it matter what Sepp Blatter thinks or feels about anything?
    The idea that Blatter is FIFA is false, and is unraveling more and more each day. The good, effective, powerful global sports body that continues to do so much to keep soccer strong in the world is not, in any sustainable way, reflected by the strange, sneering, cartoonish man at the top.
    Journalists – especially columnists – have a legitimate right to decide what stories are, or aren’t, worth covering. By giving endless attention to the outmoded, outdated and unhelpful, they can perpetuate people and problems that simply need to end.
    If Sepp Blatter is ousted, or charged with any form of criminal offence, that’s a quote I want to get from him.
    Until then, why don’t we all stop feeding this noxious, parasitic remnant? Let’s look ahead to those who will follow, and do everything we can to guide the global game into better, safer hands.
    Onward!
    Guest

    Sober Second Thoughts: Ugly math

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    TFC has played nine of 17 home games so far. They have 11 points, or 1.22 points per game in those contests.
    On the road it’s a little more bleak. With just two points in five games, or a 0.4 points per game average they are on pace to pick up about seven points on the year away from BMO Field.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The math on the home games comes out to about 21 points.
    So, after tonight’s horrible 0-0 draw against Kansas City the Reds are on pace to get about 28 points on the season.
    That’s not going to put them in a playoff spot, or even, likely, in a playoff race.
    This is the stark reality of TFC’s season. Unless a completely unexpected turn around happens they are pretty much done on June 5th. You don’t want to write off any team this early in MLS – a lot can happen and the summer transfer window isn’t open yet – but it sure looks like the only battle TFC fans will be able to watch is to see whether they finish ahead of Vancouver.
    Talk about your consolation prizes.
    (If you’re at all interested in that “battle,” the Caps are on pace for 24 points right now)
    What do you do with that?
    There is no easy answer to that question. It isn’t the current management’s fault that Mo Johnston sold the TFC fans a bill of goods for four years, but he did and they need to live with it. Most fans don’t have any patience to put up with another losing season at all, let alone what looks to be shaping up to be the worst ever. Some will cancel their season tickets. Those that don’t, will renew with limited passion and show up less often.
    It’s all a bit depressing.
    I could lecture you on how this was always going to be the case this year, but no one wants to hear it. I don’t even want to hear it.
    The truth is we do need to find a way to enjoy the small victories this year, but that logic isn’t for tonight. No, tonight we wallow and lament what isn’t to likely be.
    And that’s OK.
    Guest

    Send in the clowns

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Lisle Austin, the man who took over for suspended Jack Warner, and who tried to fire Chuck Blazer, has been provisionally banned by CONCACAF.
    No one is saying why, other than "irregularities."
    CONCACAF vice-president Alfredo Hawit from Honduras is now running the show. For today anyway.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest
    If you live in Mississauga and needed another reason to check out Mississauga Eagles FC, who joined the Canadian Soccer League this year, here it is: This Sunday (June 5), the team will be sporting specially-designed jerseys, in support National Cancer Survivors Day, for their game against the Toronto FC Academy. The jerseys will then be auctioned off, with the proceeds supporting the National Cancer Survivors Foundation.
    Chances are, you know someone who has battled or is battling the disease (I do), so you probably don't need to be told this is a worthy endeavour. Tickets are $10 and the game is at Hershey Field. When we talk about supporting local soccer, this is the sort of thing we mean -- this time, you get to support an important cause while you're at it.
    More details can be found at the club's website, MississaugaEaglesFC.com.
    .
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest

    The 2011 Gold Cup preview

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    It often seems like football fans spend as much time complaining about what’s wrong with the Gold Cup as they do actually enjoying it for what it is – our regional championship. For Canadians – 25-years and counting – it’s also the biggest event we participate in.
    With both MLS sides in a deep funk and the really important World Cup qualifying games still a year away, this year’s tournament could not likely come at a better time. It will fill our void until the Women take the pitch at the end of the month and hopefully distract ourselves from the sight of the Caps and Reds seasons circling the bowl.
    Can Canada win it all? It seems unlikely, but stranger things have happened – like, say, in 2000.
    24th Minute’s breakdown of all the groups, playoffs and matchups after the jump.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Group A – Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Cuba
    1st – Mexico
    The Mexicans have a bad habit of crapping the bed at the start of these types of competitions and they aren’t as far above the competition as they have been in past years. Still, the clear favourite in the group.
    El Tri features what is likely the tournament’s biggest name in Javier Hernandez. You don’t make Manchester United fans debate putting you on the pitch ahead of Wayne Rooney unless there is something special there. Chicharito has played a lot of football, and he will be hacked and slashed far more at the Gold Cup than his employers from Trafford would like, but he is the hands down favourite to capture the Golden Boot.
    But, it’s Mexico’s unparalleled depth that will carry the day. In a one off game, they are beatable, but over the course of a full group stage there is next to no chance they won’t advance.
    2nd – El Salvador
    We’re going a bit off the books with this pick. El Salvador was the surprise country of 2010 qualifying, making the hex and pulling off a couple huge upsets at home along the way. Of course they won’t have the same home advantage playing the tournament on US soil, but they do have a rapid and loyal ex-pat population in the US that will help to replicate that.
    3rd – Costa Rica
    The safe pick is to pick the Costa Ricans send in the group, but this is a program that appears to be going the wrong way. Still, there is talent here. Bryan Ruiz might be the best player in CONCACAF you may not have heard of yet and Christian Bolanos can flat out play. Call it a hunch though: The Ticos will come out flat and an inspired performance by El Salvador will nick them for second in the group. They should do enough to grab one of the two third place quarterfinal spots.
    4th – Cuba
    The (bad) joke here is whether the Cubans will score more goals than they have defections. Sadly, there is some legitimacy to the joke. The team is made up of entirely of players that play in the domestic league. On paper, they are hugely outmanned by their opponents with heavily Euro-based like-ups. Along with Grenada, the weakest team in the competition.
    Group B – Honduras, Guatemala, Jamaica, Grenada
    1st – Jamaica
    If Pay Onstad had scored two goals that infamous night at BMO in 2008, Jamaica would have advanced to the hex at the expense of Mexico. The Reggae Boyz were playing that well by the end of the semis.
    Since then, it’s been a mixed bag of results. However, the new generation of Reggae Boyz – with a heavy MLS flavour to them it must be said -- does now look as if they have become the biggest Caribbean power again. The tournament darkhorse, I see an upset in group B.
    2nd – Honduras
    Three years ago, this was a team on the ascendancy in the region. It was clearly No 3 ahead of Costa Rica and, on a perfect day, they could almost see the US and Mexico ahead of them. However injuries, most notably to David Suazo, has stalled Honduras’ raise. A strong foundation of players now in Europe along with a better than given credit for national league keeps them right there in the mix, but this Gold Cup could be telling for Honduras. Were they a one and out World Cup team, or are they going to keep moving forward and challenge for the No 3 slot each cycle?
    3rd – Guatemala
    This is clearly the weakest group at the tournament, with both Guatemala and Grenada seemingly out of their element. The fear teams in other groups may have is that one of the two will beat up the other and grab one of the best third place finisher quarter spots. Maybe if Carlos Ruiz gets really hot, but...unlikely.
    4th – Grenada
    Their starting keeper plays for Harrow Borough Football Club in the Isthmian League Premier Division. That would be the seventh tier of English football. Do we really need me to break this team down more?

    Group C – USA, Canada, Panama, Guadalupe
    1st – USA
    They are at home and they have brought their A team. Best XI v best XI the Americans are the top team in CONCACAF now. It’s only when depth kicks in that the Mexicans have an edge. The Yanks have questions, but they are more World Cup questions then CONCACAF ones. They have the best keeper in the region and, likely, the best midfield. As well, they have a true game breaker in Landon Donovan and a great glue player in Michael Bradley. Up top...is a weakness, but one that all but a couple teams in the region would kill for. Canada gets a break by playing them first and might be able to squeeze a draw, but it should be a walk in the group.
    2nd – Canada
    For all Canada’s problems, playing well at the Gold Cup has never been one of them. Traditionally the Canucks get better the longer they are in a camp and the Gold Cup is about the only time that happens. Josh Simpson is playing out of his head and Stephen Hart seems to be about the only man in Canada that can harness Dwayne De Rosario. There are big questions in goal and at the back, but it looks like this team will score and be fun to watch. It says here they are an easy second in the group and they may even pull off a result against the Americans in a game that is sure to mean more to the team wearing red than the team coming off a Spanish hangover.
    3rd -- Guadeloupe
    They lack stars, but they will play organized and intense. This is the Island’s World Cup and, it must be remembered, they were semi-finalists in 2007. A great deal of the players have played in the French system. They will be tricky. So tricky, it says here that they will grab one of the best third place quarterfinal slots.
    4th – Panama
    It’s an experienced team, but one that has under achieved in recent years after seeming to be on the breakthrough in 2005 (although one must be careful to never read too much into “off” – i.e. no Confederation Cup spot – Gold Cup results). This group is probably the most balanced top to bottom and Panama won’t be out of it. However, there is more talent on Canada (and the draw was favourable to Canada in that they play Panama last, after being together for some time) and, at the risk of cliché, Guadeloupe might just be a little more desperate to win. It says here Panama is the disappointment of the tournament.
    Those results would set-up the following quarter-finals:
    El Salvador v Honduras
    Mexico v Guadeloupe
    Jamaica v Canada
    USA v Costa Rica
    Honduras recovers after a tough group stage to send the upstarts from El Salvador home; Mexico cruses against Guadeloupe – desire and effort can only take you so far; Canada edges Jamaica on penalties and Costa Rica puts a scare into the USA, but the Americans are too good.
    Semis:
    Honduras v Mexico
    Canada v USA
    As much as I want to predict something other than a USA v Mexico final...
    Final:
    Mexico v USA
    It won`t be as one sided as the 5-0 win two years ago, but Mexico repeats over the maybe-just-a-little-too-confident Americans. Let’s go with 2-1 AET. The Little Pea with the winner.
    Guest
    Today, we're joined by Canadian national team keeper Milan Borjan to talk about the Gold Cup, the support at the Canada v Ecuador game and his decision to cap with Canada.
    We'll also breakdown the performances from the Canada v Ecuador game, set up Teal Bunbury's return to Toronto this weekend and discuss if Teitur's Tot was cooked before the season began.
    The archived show is now up after the jump.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <embed src="http://itscalledfootball.podhoster.com/FlowPlayerLight.swf?config={embedded:true,videoFile:%27http://itscalledfootball.podhoster.com/download/2540/23637/jun62011final.mp3%27,initialScale:%27scale%27,controlBarBackgroundColor:%270x778899%27,autoBuffering:false,loop:false,autoPlay:false}" width="400" height="25" scale="fit" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>
    Guest

    OSA looking at overhaul

    By Guest, in It's Called Football,

    Canadian Soccer News has learned that next week the Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) will announce the formation of a Technical Association Council which will be charged with overhauling the youth competition structure in the province.
    Put simply, they're going to look at the benefits of eliminating the promotion and relegation structure in the amateur ranks and replacing it with a Regional Development League.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Promotion and relegation, which is something that works well on the professional level, has been increasingly blamed for the stagnated growth of players in Ontario. CSN spoke to a number of technical directors across the province and the message was the clear: for players to properly develop they can't be yo-yoing up and down with the fate of their club. Instead, there is a greater benefit to be had by players staying within a similar club strcuture for much of their youth careers. While some movement is still to be expected, this move is intended to prevent the mass exodus' that occur when a club is relegated.
    Over the past four months the provincial association has been working with a number of clubs - big and small - to review the benefits of the new system and it's agreed that this approach would fall in line with the Long Term Player Development Plan promoted by the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA.)
    The challenge now becomes how will the province be able to implement this new system? Since even the earliest discussions there has been significant backlash and confusion over what this new league is about. Those involved in the planning of this new structure assure CSN that this is not a break away league and point to the involvement of the OSA at every step of the way.
    You can read more about the Regional Development proposal and timeline here.
    But what do you think? Is promotion and relegation good for the youth structure? Does it encourage competition? Or does it splinter development the way the technical directors are suggesting?
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