So maybe you've heard that the women's Olympic qualifying tournament kicks off in Vancouver on Thursday, but you're not quite sure what it's all about. What's at stake? Who's playing? Why does it matter?
Well, thankfully, we've decided to put together a handy little resource for you -- and anyone else vaguely interested in the tournament -- to turn to. Most of these questions haven't actually been asked frequently, but go along with the conceit, will ya?
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
What's this tournament all about?
Our region, CONCACAF, has two spots reserved in the women's soccer competition at this summer's Olympics. This eight-team tournament -- being contested at B.C. Place in Vancouver from January 19 to 29 -- will decide who gets those spots. Two groups of four teams, semifinals, finals. The two finalists go to the Olympics, simple as that.
Who'll be at the Olympics?
Great Britain (as hosts), Japan, North Korea, Sweden, France, Brazil, Colombia, South Africa and Cameroon. Add the two CONCACAF qualifiers (most likely Canada and the U.S.) and the Oceania qualifier (presumably New Zealand) and you've got your field.
So how are Canada's chances?
Hubris can be dangerous, so let's not take anything for granted. But we have been drawn into the "easier" of the two groups in the qualifying tournament, which is to say we avoided both the U.S. and Mexico. Canada will go up against Costa Rica, Cuba and Haiti, with the winner of Canada's group (almost certainly Canada) taking on the second-place team in the other group in the all-important semifinal.
OK, fine, that'll be Mexico and we'll beat them, right?
That's probably what the U.S. thought in qualifying for the 2011 Women's World Cup, before shockingly losing to the Mexicans and having to scrape their way into the tournament via an intercontinental playoff against Italy. To be fair, that qualifying tournament was held in Mexico, so inasmuch as home-field advantage can play a part, we'll certainly have a leg up. But then again, there's no playoff safety net this time...
Alright, but, the opening round, that'll be a cakewalk, right?
Probably. If you place faith in FIFA rankings, you'll be encouraged to know that Canada's most recent spot is #7, while Costa Rica is at #41, Haiti is at #62 and Cuba is at #96. Then again, we got all chuffed about Canada's ranking heading into last year's World Cup, and look how that turned out.
In any event, Canadian head coach John Herdman has admitted that it's difficult to scout teams such as Haiti and Cuba, and he's essentially expecting them to bunker from the opening whistle in a desperate attempt to scrape out a 0-0 draw. It worked for Puerto Rico against Canada in men's World Cup qualifying; let's hope it doesn't work here.
Yeah, that Herdman guy. What's his deal?
Brought in to clean up the wreckage after former head coach Carolina Morace's post-World Cup departure, Herdman has spoken of wanting to psychologically revitalize the team. That means not only undoing the "trauma" of the World Cup experience (a task he's entrusted the team's new sports psychologist with) but giving his players a greater say in the direction of the team (for all of Morace's tactical aptitude, there was little doubt that the buck stopped -- and began -- with her).
In terms of tactics, one of Herdman's goals thus far has been working on the team's defenders, in all aspects of the game. His goal is to build a backline that's comfortable passing the ball in their own end, while also empowering his fullbacks to become active in the attack.
So, who should we be keeping an eye on for Canada?
Well, captain Christine Si---
Yeah yeah, of course Christine Sinclair. Who else?
Sophie Schmidt had the best year of her career for Canada in 2011, finishing second in female player of the year voting (behind Sinclair, naturally). Her tenacity in the centre of midfield was one of the few highlights during the World Cup campaign -- and with the absence of veteran Diana Matheson, the oft-mohawked 23-year-old will have plenty of responsibility in this year's tournament.
Goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc almost single-handedly won the gold medal at the Pan Am Games for Canada in 2011, making several crucial stops during the 90 minutes, followed by several even-more-crucial stops during the penalty shootout against Brazil. Herdman has been tight-lipped about how he'll utilize LeBlanc and fellow "world-class" goalkeeper Erin McLeod -- in either event, Canada is well-covered -- but the seasoned and charismatic LeBlanc certainly has some personal momentum going.
There are also several newcomers worth keeping an eye on. B.C. girl Chelsea Buckland essentially stormed her way onto the squad with her performance at training camp in late 2011, while Christina Julien has had a string of strong outings ever since the Pan Ams. While those two are youngsters, Lauren Sesselmann is more experienced but a newcomer to the Canadian squad, and a vital part of Herdman's plan to use fullbacks as active attackers.
How big a loss to the team is Diana Matheson's absence?
Such things are impossible to quantify until the games begin, but the long-time Canadian stalwart has definitely become a more well-rounded and dangerous player in the course of the last few years (much of her transformation had to do with a more offence-minded role under Morace). She's important to the team in terms of organization and set pieces, and teammates such as Schmidt will be called upon to make up for her absence.
However, her availability for the tournament was never guaranteed, as she underwent necessary knee surgery in late 2011. Herdman and Matheson's teammates have had weeks, if not months, to prepare for this possibility, and have hopefully used the time to devise an appropriate game plan. All of that being said, Matheson's absence is a blow (though ideally not a devastating one) to Canada's chances.
Is the U.S. bringing a first-choice lineup?
Indeed. Their roster will be nearly identical to the squad that came second in last summer's World Cup. All 11 starters from the Women's World Cup final against Japan will be at Olympic qualifying, as will budding superstar Alex Morgan (who came on as a substitute and scored in the World Cup final) and this year's #1 overall pick in the WPS Draft, Sydney Leroux.
Leroux presents a whole other storyline of her own, as she was born in Surrey, B.C. and represented Canadian youth teams on several occasions before moving south at age 15 and pursuing a future with the American program. It's yet to be seen what sort of reaction she receives from those in the Vancouver audience who are aware of her story.
What kind of crowds can be expected?
No ticket-sales figures have been released yet, but sales of ticket packages through the Southsiders -- the Vancouver Whitecaps' supporters group -- were brisk. And the 2002 FIFA U-19 women's world championship (a tournament in which Christine Sinclair scored 10 goals) was famously well-supported by the three host cities: Victoria, Edmonton and Burnaby (Swangard Stadium, former home of the Whitecaps). Factor in the sport's higher profile in Vancouver following the Caps' entry into MLS last season, and signs point to solid attendance for the tournament.
Any other questions? Leave them below and hopefully someone will endeavour to provide a reasonable answer.
.