Inside Soccer Magazine Issue 108

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ISSUE #108 JULY AUGUST 2014 WWW.INSIDESOCCERMAGAZINE.CA

CONTENTS

Publisher Emeritus Alfons Rubbens

Publisher/Editor Mark Miller - mark@insidesoccermagazine.ca

Art Director

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Steve Smiley, RGD - steve@insidesoccermagazine.ca

Director of New Business Susan Elliott - susan@insidesoccermagazine.ca

Director of Business Operations and National Accounts Branden Clark - branden@insidesoccermagazine.ca

Marketing and Special Event Coordinator Justin Clark - justin@insidesoccermagazine.ca

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8 A WORLD CUP PILGRIMAGE

BY KRIS FERNANDES

32 BARRIERS TO ENTRY

BY DAVE KENNY

12 INSIDESOCCER’S 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP BEST XI

BY ARMEN BEDAKIAN

36 SOCCER SEASON KICKS OFF WITH NATIONAL CHEERING CONTEST

14 HOW TO LEAVE AN IMPACT, OR NOT

BY BOB KOEP

38 CANADA’S MYSTERY RIVAL: BEATING NORTH KOREA COULD BE KEY TO WINNING IT ALL

BY STEVEN SANDOR

16 WORLD CUP FEVER ROAD TRIP

BY MICHAEL BETTENCOURT

42 FIFA U20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP CANADA MATCH SCHEDULE

20 BRAZIL 2014: THE CANADIAN CONNECTION

BY LES JONES – COVERSHOTS INC.

44 CANADA’S U20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP PLAYER PROFILE

22 WORLD’S ELITE CONTINUE TO DOMINATE

BY STEVEN SANDOR

Senior Staff Writers Bob Koep, Kris Fernandes, Mike Toth

Website Operations Susan Elliott: Marketing and Content Steve Smiley, RGD: Art Direction Zsolt Fazekas: Design & Technical

Contributing Writers Armen Bedakian, Michael Bettencourt, Richard Bucciarelli, Joe Duarte, Laoghan Hendra, Les Jones – Covershots Inc., Dave Kenny, Mike Kenny, Tokunbo Ojo, Joseph Passi, Judy Rauliuk – Covershots Inc., Steven Sandor, Ron Smale

Contributing Photographers Michael Bettencourt, BMO, The Canadian Soccer Association, Les Jones – COVERSHOTS Inc., Shutterstock, Patrick Woodbury

INSIDEOUT Publishing and Marketing Services ISM provides authoritative editorial coverage of Canada’s premier soccer community.

Information contained in ISM has been compiled from sources believed to be correct.

ISM cannot be responsible for the accuracy of articles or other editorial matter.

26 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

BY RON SMALE

Articles in this magazine are intended to provide information rather than give legal or other professional advice. Articles being submitted for review should be e-mailed to branden@insidesoccer.ca

28 CANADA UNABLE TO FASHION A COMEBACK

BY LES JONES – COVERSHOTS INC.

6 July/August 2014

Joe Duarte

INSIDESOCCER Magazine is published six times per year by

24 8 THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT THE WORLD CUP

BY JOSEPH PASSI

30 FOOTBALL FOR HEALTH

BY RICHARD BUCCIARELLI

News Editor

Undeliverable copies, advertising space orders, copy, artwork, proofs, etc., should be sent to:

ON THE COVER

Mario Gotze’s goal in the 113th minute gave Germany a dramatic 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina.

INSIDEOUT Publishing and Marketing Services P.O. Box 151, King City, Ontario L7B 1A5, Tel: 905.833.1973 Website: www.insidesoccermagazine.ca Printed in Canada. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without written permission of the publisher. © Copyright 2014 InsideSOCCER Magazine

A WORLD CUP

BY KRIS FERNANDES

PILGRIMAGE Photography by Patrick Woodbury

My, did that ever go by in a blink. And boy was it ever one really great month.

In what is now widely considered by many to be the most entertaining World Cup in history, everyone has long packed up and gone home. But anybody who travelled to Brazil for the World Cup will tell you they had an excellent time, regardless of how their teams ultimately finished.

Before the tournament started, most people´s thoughts about Brazil essentially equated to samba music, beaches, kids kicking soccer balls everywhere, the Amazon, and the image of really happy people.

Needless to say the country ticked off all those typical boxes but Brazil is certainly much more than that and with the World Cup being here for the first time since 1950, this country kicked it onto a whole new level.

Imagine you´re waiting at the bus stop 8 July/August 2014

and you see a bus roll by at full speed with a half dozen young guys surfing it. That was the moment I knew this was going to be a complete and utter gong show.

Now, fans and tourists alike were often led by news outlets to watch their wallets like hawks and be scared for their lives due to Brazil´s civil unrest and high crime rates. “Don´t wear jewellery, don´t carry a lot of money, dress plain and don´t ever wander into a favela!” was the cynical advice issued by media before the competition.

The advice from locals was much simpler; “Be aware of your surroundings and you´ll be fine.”

Truth be told, never once, even in the middle of the night or when venturing into sometimes questionable areas, had I ever felt threatened or in fear.

You could not say that about

South Africa.

Half the reason why it felt so comfortable was due to the massive government spending on policing.

You could not go near tourist areas or stadiums without seeing hordes of officers, holding batons or big guns. The other reason is simply because Brazil is not as dangerous as it is promoted to be. Make no mistake, If you want trouble, believe me, you can find it here, but ultimately the one constant crime griped about throughout the month was pick pocketing.

THE HOST CITIES

I attended a total of 12 matches in 6 cities and each region brought a completely different dynamic to the experience.

The first stop was in the largest city

Sao Paulo - Brazil’s largest city of 11 million. of Sao Paulo. My first impressions after arriving was that it was a vast city to trek across with a remarkable amount of street art painted almost everywhere except big bank buildings. The city of 11 million is nothing like Rio de Janeiro.

It is an extremely vibrant and multicultural mix of people, and comes off immediately as a cooler and way more relaxed version of New York City. A little Portuguese goes a very long way here and everyone wants to help, even if they don´t speak any gringo.

The Arena Corinthians, the venue for the opening match venue, is a fantastic venue in which to watch a match, although it was not 100% complete for the tournament. I attended a Brazilian league match which acted as the final test match before the Cup got underway between local side Corinthians and Botafogo from Rio. The Corinthian Gaviões (supporter´s group) welcomed me with open arms, trying to solidify a new fan. They were successful in their mission. The singing and drumming never stopped for one solitary moment, something I have yet to see at European, Asian, or North American club games.

My new friend Jorge pointed out that the stadium´s ceiling glass wasn´t installed because it had a green tint to it under certain lighting conditions which also happens to be the colour of bitter rival Palmeiras. So Corinthians had it removed which meant there was no glass to protect the fans from the elements which saw tens of thousands soaked during the Argentina and Holland semi-final.

The second tier at one of the end stands wasn´t given the green light from the fire department for safety.

When I asked Jorge how this could be with the Cup so close, he simply responded with “Welcome to Brazil brother, where nothing gets done on time.”

Despite the lack of readiness, the fever for the tournament was evident at every news kiosk in the city with team scarves strewn everywhere while every story on 5 February/March 2012

the front of the papers was about the looming Brazil/Croatia tilt.

The congregation of international fans poured out into the streets in the popular nightlife district of Vila Madalena the night before the match. Thousands converged in the streets, buying drinks from dozens of vendors carrying Styrofoam coolers, while trying to find a lovely Brazilian to kiss, and draping flags over passing cars.

goals produced. The destruction of Spain against Holland, Germany´s decimation of Portugal, and the French´s 5-2 blitz over Switzerland all gave fans something to cheer about.

With hotels blatantly overcharging travellers for accommodations - $500 Canadian a room in some places - a contingent of 3,500 Mexican fans solved their accommodation plight in the northeast in a unique way. Instead of being gouged of their last pesos, they booked a cruise ship that docked outside of the three coastal cities in which El Tri would play.

They weren´t the only ones that garnered attention however as peaceful Japanese fans were an absolute treat to be around. The supporters of the Samurai Blue went around the stadiums

Salvador - Local and African infusions.

It was a collective sigh of relief when Brazil won their opener, as the nation was quite hopeful about their team´s prospects. The only option acceptable for them would be to lift the trophy but clearly that didn´t end up happening.

However, a loss in the opener would have really set back the lively atmosphere.

While Sao Paulo brings the big city vibe to the table, the city of Salvador along the eastern coast makes it seem as if you were in Africa. Initially a port for slavery centuries ago, the Bahia region is one of the most fascinating regions I´ve ever experienced. Its unique food, encompassing a mix of local ingredients with African infusions, is simply phenomenal as is the drumming ensemble of Olodum who Michael Jackson loved so much he filmed a video here with them.

Fans based in Salvador were treated to a serious amount of goals. In the three group games at the Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova there were an unbelievable 17

after their matches with garbage bags to clean up. A classy display that was widely appreciated by Brazilians so much that the government of Rio de Janeiro threw them a small ceremony to commemorate it, despite the team not having played a game there.

Though the Japanese were happy to pitch in with some elbow grease it was quite entertaining to see hundreds of fans at every match picking up all the leftover collector cups that were created for each individual game, perhaps a small and cheap souvenir for friends back home. It was comical seeing short fans trying to balance stacks of cups 30-40 high.

One city everyone wanted to be at for at least a few days was Rio de Janeiro. It is indeed as beautiful city as advertised.

Crashing waves hit the soft white sand all along beaches while fans gazed upon the picturesque mountains and favelas in the background. If you sat in the lower bowl in the Maracanã you could look up and see the Christ the Redeemer statue InsideSOCCER 9

perched atop of Corcovado Mountain.

After the final, it was something else to see thousands of dejected Argentinean fans parked along the Avenida Atlantica, Rio´s main strip, sleeping on the back of trucks or right on sleeping bags on the ground, despite the area being well known for having a high level of theft.

Many also setup mini tent villages right on the beach which saved them a boatload of cash and it seemed as if there was giant bonfire every night on Copacabana.

excellent Brazilian music look no further than MPB (música popular Brasileira). The sounds have a mixed vibe of bossa nova, samba, rock and jazz, and there was rarely a more enjoyable evening had when sharing a cold big bomber of cerveja with friends while sitting on the patio of one

Vegetarians would be converted if they tasted picanha. Even the not-soappetizing sounding chicken hearts are excellent. Soaked in lime with a salty taste they are an excellent appetizer before the big sticks of steak, ribs, and sausages barrages your table. Add a glass

of Brazil´s endless array of outdoor bars listening to a local MPB artist.

Now enjoying all this music will build up an appetite. And one thing Brazil certainly delivered on was through its diverse and delicious cuisine.

There is no better place for carnivores than these places called churrascos. For a fixed price, waiters constantly bring you the most delectable meats to your table and cut them right off the skewer.

of red wine or a beer and it was a steal of a deal in most joints usually ranging between $12-$25 per person. The dessert at the end is usually grilled pineapple drizzled with cinnamon. It may very well be the greatest thing you´ll ever put in your mouth.

A really popular way of eating in Brazil is through these buffet style restaurants that make you pay by weight. For pretty much what equated to $10, you would enjoy a very generous platter and fans absolutely filled these places as if they were closing the next day.

For food on the go to the stadiums, supporters usually grabbed a Brazilian staple called coxinhas, little fried balls filled with shredded chicken that are practically at every restaurant and corner bar in the country. At night? Grab a bowl of boiled corn with butter and salt. That´s something that definitely needs to make its way to the great white north.

It will also be difficult to come back to Canada after enjoying the freshest juices on earth on a daily basis. Sorry, but what we import from Florida and California just won´t cut it anymore. Brazil´s national drink is orange juice but there is nothing

THE RHYTHM AND THE FOOD

Before coming to Brazil I thought the soundtrack was going to be a non-stop samba fest. Although you can easily find the infectious music that will make the stiffest person groove at bars and clubs around the country, Brazil first and foremost loves rock and country.

Many Brazilians don´t speak English but most seemed to be able to belt out lyrics to some Led Zeppelin or Beatles tunes. The central city of Belo Horizonte in particular was very much like a rock festival in the hills with Lord Pub and Jack´s Rock Bar being the venues of choice for fans from around the world to kick out the jams until the break of dawn.

What was truly fascinating to discover was that the most popular music in the nation, usually for those away from the coast, is sertaneja. Usually a pair of guys, one or both who will play guitar while singing in a style reminiscent of Mexican country. Any foreign guy found wandering into one of these clubs was usually grabbed by some local Brazilian girl and forced to dance.

If you want to really enjoy some

10 July/August 2014

quite like maracuja and açaí juices If you weren´t drinking juice, all that delicious grub has to washed down somehow and it is no secret that soccer fans love to drink. A lot. Fans gulped down copious amounts of Brazilian beer such as Skol, Antartica Original, or the beer that most drank inside stadiums, Brahma.

You can walk around with alcohol in the streets here and people are civilized with it. There are car bars, literally guys who open their trunk, put up a few LED light bars around the edge and serve cocktails all to make an extra buck.

The most popular cocktail in Brazil is the caipirinha. It´s essentially made of a very potent sugar cane liquor called cachaça, lots of sugar and lime which is individually cut and grinded by the server. These things were always in view in fans´ hands no matter what time of day it was.

Now, because of past violence between rival supporters it is illegal to serve alcohol during Brazilian league matches. But with FIFA having Budweiser as a major sponsor the government was forced to pause that law for the tournament, which fans appreciated. You had two choices, Brahma or Budweiser with most people opting to stray from the American brew.

7 February/March 2012

CANADIANS AT THE WORLD CUP

Even though Honduras put an end to Canada´s hopes of booking a ticket to Brazil, there were still plenty of Canadians at the tournament.

At practically every game you could spot a Canadian flag proudly being waved or hung from the rails. Running into fans from Vancouver, Calgary, Quebec City and Halifax all had a great time and wanted to cross this off the bucket list.

It was pretty unanimous that people had no plans to go to Russia while I met nobody with an interest in going to Qatar for 2022.

Ontarians Marc Lang and Mike Varrin took off a few weeks for the tournament as did fellow Toronto FC supporters Chris Matthews and Gary Ovis. Chris and Gary trekked around the country for the duration of the competition attending as many as 14 games while looking to catch up with dear friend and former Toronto FC capo, Victor Dantas in Belo Horizonte.

Dantas, a bartender, could not land a ticket to any of the matches due to high costs and suspect availability through the FIFA website. So Chris and Gary being the good boys they are surprised him with a ticket to the dynamite Chile/Brazil game in his home city and never before have I seen one man so happy at a match.

But the boys weren´t the only ones

having fun, however, as plenty of women made the flight down here too.

Linda Pietrangelo and Melissa Da Silva from Toronto came to enjoy the games and nightlife while photographer Dianna Lee came to surf and catch the action.

Support for soccer in Canada has grown tremendously over the years and it is very evident at each international tournament that the thirst for a Canadian team at the World Cup is insatiable.

Though many problems clearly exist including a lack of infrastructure, a lack of fundamental education for all children, and blatant corruption still poising the nation, the people of Brazil should be exceptionally proud to have hosted the competition. It went off without a real serious glitch or major protests and the competition and camaraderie between fans was simply superb.

Even with Brazil flaming out in such epic fashion (never seen before, by their standards), it could have been a lot worse had Argentina won the title.

If you ever find yourself questioning whether to do a World Cup trip, absolutely do it. You will never regret the times had, friends met, and cultural experiences that will please your soul. Of course, there is also the soccer.

InsideSOCCER 11

The 2014 FIFA World Cup has been one of the best in recent memory!

Between the dramatic score lines (Brazil losing by six, Holland beating Spain 5-1!) and the massive goal tally, the World Cup in Brazil has been an absolute treat to watch. With the final done and dusted and the world’s eyes now on Russia for the 2018 tournament, let’s take a look at the players that made the World Cup in Brazil oh so fun!

Here is InsideSOCCER’s 2014 FIFA World Cup Best XI: MATHIEU DEBUCHY France made it into the final eight of the tournament and while players like Karim Benzema and Paul Pogba will get much of the attention back home, it was the quiet, confident performances of Mathieu Debuchy that makes him a standout. Debuchy was, perhaps, the most consistent right fullback in the entire tournament. He managed to contain German offense on the right flank and was at no fault for the goal that knocked France out of the tournament.

Debuchy vs. Germany

2014

FIFA

WORLD CUP

BEST

enjoyed a historic World Cup, making it out of an extremely difficult group with Spain, England and Uruguay, and then beat Greece in the Round of 16 before being knocked out by Holland in penalties in the quarterfinals.

A lot of that came down to some exemplary defending from Gonzalez, who plays his football with the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer!

MATS HUMMELS What can’t Mats Hummels do? This German central defender is an absolute beast in the back line and a massive threat on set pieces. His headed goal off the corner kick gave Germany the advantage against France in the quarterfinals and his one absence from injury was felt against the United States.

Hummels vs. France

XI

BY ARMEN BEDAKIAN Photos by Patrick Woodbury

Debuchy beats out Dani Alves for the spot after the Brazilian right fullback was dropped in favour of Maicon, as well as Pablo Zabaleta of Argentina.

GUILLERMO OCHOA This Mexican shot stopper has been the revelation of the World Cup between the posts. With lightning-quick reflexes and a penchant for clutch saves, Ochoa kept a clean sheet throughout the group stage and was a rock in Mexico’s back line. His vocal leadership and calm demeanour provided the Mexican team with steadiness on the defensive, and 12 July/August 2014

allowed Rafael Marquez to flourish as a defender. His goal keeping also allowed the fullbacks to advance with comfort, knowing their ’keeper would keep them in it.

Ochoa beats out other exemplary goalkeepers like the United States’ Tim Howard and Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas simply because he came into this World Cup without much club form to back him up. He’s without a team and will surely be a top target for big European sides in the coming weeks.

GIANCARLO GONZALEZ Costa Rica’s rock in the back line was a relatively unknown player before he appeared on the world stage, but what a way to make an entrance. Costa Rica

Germany steamrolled their way to the final by defeating Brazil 7-1 and a lot of that came after stout defending in the first 20 minutes, when Brazil looked most dangerous. Had Germany conceded in that match early, who knows what the result may have been. Hummels is a treasure for Borussia Dortmund and it will take a massive sum of money to pry him from their hands.

ARTURO VIDAL This Chilean defensive midfielder continues to prove that he is one of the finest in the world in his position. Vidal was the key cog in the Chilean midfield, and his passing skill and defensive discipline provided the back bone for Chile’s successful exit from Group B, surrounded by Spain, the Netherlands and Australia.

Chile faced Brazil in the Round of

16 and kept the score level at 0-0 for 120 minutes; that’s not an easy task, especially with Neymar, Oscar and Hulk all trying to attack down the middle.

Vidal is a prize asset for Juventus and a Chilean hero after forcing penalties; with a shoot out, anything can happen, and had Chile pulled through, he would be regarded as the definitive symbol and example of how to successfully stop tough, attacking sides.

JAVIER MASCHERANO What Vidal is to Chile, Javier Mascherano was to Argentina, and this Barcelona man carried Argentina all the way to the World Cup final. Mascherano does a lot of little things perfectly; he’s always aware, has passing vision, can calm the play down, delivers well-placed free kicks, and is always moving to supporting positions for his fellow midfielders. For Barcelona, he plays as a central defender and it shows; his defensive discipline is top notch and in a more advanced midfield role, he closes down opposition attacks before they can develop into something dangerous.

This was a 50-50 pick with Colombia’s Juan Cuadrado the other option for this midfield spot, but ultimately, Mascherano wins out due to his consistency and level of play in all seven of Argentina’s matches in the World Cup. ARJEN ROBBEN Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben showed, in 90 minutes against Spain, that he is still one of the best wingers in the entire world. He absolutely singlehandedly dominated the Spanish side on both of his goals and looked a threat in every match he played in. Not for anything, but Robben also scored some of the nicest goals in the tournament too.

Against Argentina, Robben failed to find a winner due to some impressive defending from Mascherano and Zabaleta, but that shouldn’t take away from his superb skill and work rate. His speed is also a tremendous asset and what he flaunted in spades against Spain in that 5-1 win was a performance that might just be one of the finest in his career.

JAMES RODRIGUEZ The Golden Child of this tournament was supposed to be Neymar, but out of 5 February/March 2012

nowhere, young James Rodriguez of Colombia absolutely, positively stole the show. Rodriguez was responsible for Colombia’s impressive run to the quarterfinals and scored six goals, leading the Golden Boot race for the entire tournament. He is everything you want in an attacking midfielder; he is creative, can open up space, has a wicked through ball and, most importantly, knows how and when to score crucial goals.

Rodriguez vs. Uruguay

Rodriguez was snatched up by AS Monaco last season to the tune of almost $50 million, and you can bet that fee will be doubled this year if teams like Manchester City or Real Madrid come knocking. He’d be worth every penny, though, if he can continue in this vein of form.

NEYMAR Let’s not discount Neymar’s impressive World Cup, though; the Brazilian icon scored four goals, dazzled his home nation with each flick and trick, and bamboozled defenders with relative ease. His World Cup came to an abrupt end against Colombia in the quarterfinals in a nightmare fashion, though, when Carlos Zuñiga kneed him in the back and fractured his third vertebrae.

The sight of Neymar screaming in agony as he was stretchered off will be the one image that people will look back on and remember, which is a shame.

Still, if there was one attacking player who could turn a game on its head, it was Neymar, who carried the host nation on his back when Fred, Hulk and Oscar failed to perform. Without Neymar, Brazil might not have even made it out of the group stage.

LIONEL MESSI What can we say about Lionel Messi that hasn’t already been said? He is an absolute phenomenon, a magisterial footballer, perhaps the finest that ever was. Messi carried Argentina’s forward line in the group stages when Sergio Aguero couldn’t, never went down faking injury and was the model of professionalism, class and skill throughout the tournament.

The world will always remember the name Lionel Messi after the 2014 FIFA World Cup. THOMAS MULLER Thomas Muller scores goals; plain and simple.

Germany’s biggest goal scoring threat steamrolled every team that was placed in front of him; his demolition job against Brazil and Portugal will be remembered for years to come. In the last World Cup, Muller scored five goals, and he matched that tally by the semi-final stage. While his teammate, Miroslav Klose, broke Ronaldo’s record by scoring his 16th goal in the World Cup, it may not hold for many more years if Muller continues scoring the way he has.

Müller vs. Portugal

He’s still so young, too, and has two or three World Cup’s left in him with Germany. It’s not a stretch to imagine that Muller will score the 5-6 goals he needs to surpass Klose in that time. He is the goal scoring striker of this generation and is the tournament’s MVP as well, in this humble writer’s opinion!

InsideSOCCER 13

HOW TO LEAVE AN IMPACT

This World Cup had it all. Prominent teams went down the tube early, unfancied countries suddenly made names for themselves. Defending world champion Spain, picked by many to repeat, bombed out in the early going and was sent home after the opening round.

So were former Cup winners England and Italy, all first round casualties. The worst show however, was left to the host, superpower and co-favorite Brazil. They rolled along nicely until they ran into real opposition and collapsed in one of the epic dramas of history. 10 goals conceded in two games, unheard of. They certainly left an impact, in a negative way.

But everybody by now knows all the results and the winners and losers, so for us it might be interesting to check how teams from our CONCACAF federation performed. CONCACAF, the North American and Caribbean federation, is moving along nicely. It was quite an impressive performance in the early stages of the tournament. Our federation certainly left an impact.

CONCACAF brought three ( Costa Rica, Mexico and USA) of its four qualifiers 14 July/August 2014

OR NOT.

BY BOB KOEP

Photography by Patrick Woodbury

Everybody’s original aim is to qualify for the World Cup, then for those who make it, the objective is to survive the opening round. For many that is considered a major step. After that, it’s wait and see. Some managed; some didn’t. into the knock out stage, a better survival rate than any of the other federations with exception of South America (five out of six advancing)). Asia didn’t get even one team of its four into the knock out section, Europe had six survive out of 13 in the group round robin and Africa managed to advance two out of five.

Of the four CONCACAF teams only Honduras was left stranded and that was the same team that beat Canada 8-1 in the qualifying round.

That leaves the question: is there a future for elite level soccer in Canada or at least for its national team? At this stage we are just meddling around

with something a little better than just recreational soccer. Once in a while a player makes it to the MLS and our contingent in Europe is getting smaller.

On the other hand look at Costa Rica.

It has suddenly begun to raise eyebrows.

Playing in a group with three former world champions, Costa Rica left Italy, Spain and Uruguay behind to finish top of the class, undefeated, and then went on to beat Greece in the round of 16, leaving a big mark on the tournament.

How did they do it? Well, of the eleven starters nine are playing in top leagues in Europe.

Their European based stars are

exposed on a weekly basis to the intensity and pressure of the big leagues. In fact there are only five leagues in the world that can really prepare you for the elite competition of the World Cup. You must play in England, Spain, Italy, Germany or France, maybe two or three others, to reach the level required to survive (at least for a while) in a World Cup. Some of the countries have not yet reached the maturity to survive the onslaught of superior teams, but have learned that courage and determination can help you along.

Take the U.S. for instance. The Americans are still lacking technical finesse but they fight with relentless determination and often seem to be able to move mountains with will power and courage. Using several European based players that team is always good for reaching the round of 16 and it won’t be long before they go beyond that. (They have in the past!)

Mexico has five key players in Europe’s top leagues and a handful toil in the MLS, a league that is gradually reaching world standards.

And if you have all the required elements, tactical finesse, talent and game fitness even that is not always doing it. In a must win situation all sorts of motivations come to the fore. Nerves, momentum, pressure, emotion, staying power and so on. And don’t forget the concentration needed in the late stages of a game when players are exhausted from the heat in tropical northern Brazil in this particular World Cup. At that stage they can hardly walk and still must continue to function mentally and physically.

Exhaustion is probably the main reason why many of the goals scored in Brazil, came at the very late stages of the game, some in injury time or even extra time, and the goals were often scored by late substitutes, including the World Cup winner.

Only Honduras of our section didn’t do so well, but don’t kid yourself, they will get better. Perhaps poor coaching and lack of money did them in but that can be fixed. And that means Canada has a long way to go before it can even hope to qualify for the World Cup. There are more and more soccer academies in this country and they are doing an excellent job. But it takes more than that. These Academies can only fine-tune talented

players in a tactical and competitive way, develop skills, but how to play the game at the highest level can only be learned in the thick of battle in the top leagues in Europe.

Even that is subject to subtle differences such as game fitness, daily form, mental presence and, sometimes even your age. How can Diego Forlan of Uruguay be voted player of the tournament in 2010 and leave no impact at all four years later.

Some players are here today and gone tomorrow. How does one explain what happened to the super powers of the past ten years, Italy and Spain. Have they run out of gas, are their legs just a little bit slower?

Italy — a winner in 2006 then an early exit in 2010; in 2012, a European runner up and again in the dumps in 2014. A real roller coaster ride. Spain even worse — the winner in 2010 and in 2012 (Europe) and now a door mat.

It indicates time have changed.

New methods are more demanding.

Not too long ago, a coaching staff consisted of three or four people plus a physiotherapist, perhaps a doctor on the bench.

Today running a team has become a complicated science. Big name teams are prepared by dozens of specialists, medical, psychological, motivational, conditional, nutritional. Some national teams have 40 specialists on their payroll.

Soccer is almost a sideshow now if you see all the experts and gadgets around

the training pitch of the big teams. It is more of an entertainment industry with directors, producers, script writers, emotional coaches. And all the actors have to be top notch. Still, some win and some lose. But the minimum target is to leave an impact on the show.

Teams have their own planes, stay in five star hotels, players drive Ferraris and own enormous mansions. The whole show is backed up by sponsors and television revenue, if you are a world power that is. Big name teams are up to their ears in money. The rest are paupers.

And poor old Canada is trying to keep pace. In fact, sorry to say, it is losing ground.

Our national team has scored one goal in the past 13 international games and that was via a penalty kick. Our recent national team had seven “unattached” players on its roster. Atrocious; unheard of. The CSA can’t afford a massive coaching staff like the big boys do, never mind owning its own plane.

There is no big league, no major TV contract to support it. Canada moves along in 110th place of FIFA world ranking and can barely find the money to operate a national team. The big entertainment show takes place somewhere else. Some of our national team members are living in rented flats and hold part time jobs.

Realistically, the only chance we will ever have of qualifying is to stage the World Cup in Canada and get an automatic berth as host country. By the way, the CSA is working on that.

Gary Cahill defends against Joel Campbell; England vs. Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte.

InsideSOCCER 15

WORDS & PHOTOS BY MICHAEL BETTENCOURT

WORLD CUP FE

INTRODUCING MY YOUNG SONS TO THE PASSION BEHIND WORLD Boston – The original plan called for the entire family to head down to Brazil. First two weeks of the World Cup would be father-son bonding time, exploring the outdoor fan zones and the occasional game with my soccerplaying 10 year-old in Rio, then have my wife and six year-old join us for the last two drama-filled weeks of the tournament.

Our older son seemed enthusiastic about heading down to futebol-soaked Brazil for a once in a lifetime experience, but even more so about the parentsanctioned ability to finish the school year in early to mid-June.

As the tournament approached, however, the daunting reality of what that plan actually involved became depressingly apparent.

Ticket lottery luck, four weeks’ worth of pricy hotel or rental property arrangements, four 15-hour flights, widespread political protests and violence that seemed increasingly less kid-friendly. Even in modified gyrations, such plans unfortunately never came together for us. Still, it was heartening to hear FIFA confirm that Canada was once again the top ticket-buying nation among all countries not actually playing at the World Cup, as it was for South Africa four years ago. Even more amazingly, residents of Canada bought more tickets than did the citizens of 22 soccer mad nations actually competing in Brazil, landing 11th overall, behind only Brazil, the U.S., Argentina, eventual victor Germany, England, Colombia, Australia, Chile, France and Mexico, in that order.

Clearly, this was important to many thousands of Canadians – to 29,522, in fact, judging by these ticket sales, and that’s not counting Canadians attending via family and friends in Brazil or other nearby countries. As a nation of immigrants, many Canadians were either 16 July/August 2014

born in another country, or feel a close connection to the country and culture of their parents, grandparents or other family members – and “sports” translates to “soccer” in many countries around the world.

Unlike at the Olympics, where the entire country is united behind Canada, the lack of any Canadian presence at any World Cup – besides the 1986 anomaly in Mexico – means that soccer fans and casual soccer-watchers alike are free to support other countries fully. It’s a dynamic that doesn’t occur in the U.S., especially now with its rapidly advancing soccer program.

Canada’s disappointing ineptness at

qualifying for the big tournament results in guilt-free rooting for other national teams, a dynamic especially apparent in Canada’s largest cities.

For one month every four years, the Canadian mosaic is painted with the soccer flags of 32 other nations.

In our family, that adopted team is Portugal – even though my wife and I were both born in Canada, as children of immigrants, our first words were uttered in Portuguese. That wasn’t the case for our two boys, but the connection’s still there, dimmed low on the language front, but stronger on the soccer-appreciating side

The Bettencourt family cheering on Portugal. From the left, 6 year old Adrian (fittingly, in the Canada sweater), 10 year old Julian, Celia, Michael and cousin David.

VER ROAD TRIP CUP SOCCER – AT A BOSTON FRIENDLY of the cultural equation.

Since we didn’t head to Brazil, I set in motion a plan B: head down to the U.S. to catch a Portugal friendly, one of two tuneup matches Portugal played just days

in every delirious direction. become immersed in that potent mix of nationalistic sporting fervour, in that something you never forget.

Once you energy, a pride and order, it’s

Even parking well outside of the stadium, there’s an instant kinship with fellow supporters of your team, as Bettencourt family members (from right) Celia, Julian and Adrian (in hat) quickly learned.

before the World Cup started. The first one in Boston versus Mexico landed on a Friday night, which worked out nicely with work schedules, so we decided to leave Thursday night to make it an extra long weekend family road trip.

The goal was to give my sons and significant other a taste of the passion I experienced at the opening game of the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg as a guest of Continental Tires. In that match – against Mexico, ironically – South Africa’s opening goal had 75,000 ecstatic fans jumping, hugging and blaring vuvuzelas

That same soccer passion also makes you cringe when non-soccer folks ask “What’s the big deal? It’s just a game.” Tell that to the folks — black and white, arms around each others’ shoulders, only two decades after apartheid finally ended as official public policy — singing the South African national anthem at the tops of their voices.

Admittedly, there may also have been some not-so-enlightened self-interest at play in this trip, besides the obvious appeal of attending the live game. If the rest of the family could become similarly

enthusiastic for the World Cup, that could cut down greatly on battles for the big screen remote over the entire month.

To get to this World Cup warm-up taking place nine hours away by car, Kia Canada was good enough to loan us a new Sorento mid-size SUV for the trip. It seemed an appropriate vehicle choice, with Kia’s sponsorship of the World Cup, and major soccer support across Canada, and in MLS, even though it was the smaller Kia Rondo scoring with its front hood in the clever soccer-themed commercials.

The Sorento was a fine long distance hauler, the leather helping make clean ups easy, while the cooled seats up front, satellite radio, heated steering wheel, and panoramic sunroof all helped make long and late night stints behind the wheel comfortably pleasant. We were particularly appreciative of the threepronged rear electrical outlet between the rear seats, which allowed the boys to plug in all their devices plus a laptop for movies, though there’s unfortunately no factory DVD screen(s) option with headphones, as on some others (okay, will leave the car reviewing to my day job).

We left Thursday night, staying just outside Kingston before an all-too-brief stint on the Thousand Islands Parkway led us into upstate New York, then arriving at the welcoming downtown Sheraton Boston the day of the game.

With another 40 minute drive to Gillette Stadium, where the New England Patriots normally play very different football, we had been warned by a cousin also headed to the game not to park at the 67,000 seat stadium, for it could take you hours to get out. The major traffic crunch even 2 hours before game time supported this, so we parked off-site, and hiked it.

But the fun started even in these far InsideSOCCER 17

away lots, with face and body painted Portugal and Mexico fans sprinkled about, usually in packs all clad in one country’s gear and colours, but occasionally in happy mixed groups as well. The World Cup vibe and excitement was definitely in the air, if a touch toned down from fever pitch. Just getting out of the Kia, we noticed another carful of Portugal fans, also done up in Portugal gear, equipped with air horns and split green and red wigs. Even though they were strangers, as fellow Portugal fans, it seemed perfectly normal to ask for a photo with us, not even a minute after getting out of our respective cars.

We didn’t realize then that this was just the beginning. The size, imagination and time involved with face-painting, body painting, sombrero sizes and even fake moustaches – on both men and ladies – would all become much more intense the closer we came to the stadium.

The folks who had parked at the stadium had upped this game. Flags as capes were popular support-ware in and around the stadium, while the game’s broadcast on ESPN in the U.S. and all the attendant cameras and recognizable announcers added to the big game ambiance.

Also immediately noticeable was

the warm smell of barbecues grilling a variety of delicacies, some familiar, some not, but all tempting. It provided a unique blend of cultures, the American tail-gating tradition combined with Spanish and Portuguese music blaring from high-powered stereos, all three cultures seemingly united in a common appreciation of beer.

We knew going in that it would be a long shot to see superstar Cristiano Ronaldo play because of a nagging knee injury that hobbled him in the Champions League final, but it was still disappointing, especially when he played a few days later in New Jersey. It was the second time in a year he missed a friendly here, after a Brazil-Portugal friendly in September 2013.

The crowd seemed to be split about equally between Mexico and Portugal fans, though the prominent red and green on both flags made it tough to tell from a distance – generally, folks in red were for Portugal, green for Mexico, and whites could be either. Just to mess everyone up, Portugal played in their new predominantly white and blue away uniforms, meaning very few Portugal supporters were dressed in the actual colours worn by their team – d’oh!

The game itself was very World

Cup-like, but not beautifully, with no score and relatively few chances until the second half, and even then no goals at the 90th minute. By then, I began to wonder whether my plan B to demonstrate the electricity and excitement behind World Cup soccer would eventually become “that time Dad drove the family for 18 hours to watch a 0-0 friendly.” So when Bruno Alves rose in the 93rd minute to beat Guillermo Ochoa with literally the last play of the game, I’m quite certain that I was the first and loudest of all 56,000-plus fans there to jump out of my seat.

Yes, for a goal at a friendly. And happily, right along with my entire family.

It was a friendly, but more than a friendly to us. I can’t tell if that goal bought me more TV time with my sons over the following World Cup month, or if they’re ever going to learn to speak Portuguese, or if they’re going to remain soccer fans at all. But I know we watched many non-Portugal games and highlights together. And I know that instead of their bikes, they’re now asking to take a soccer ball and their cleats to the park.

Out of the blue, with no plan needed.

There was a light-hearted teasing playfulness amongst rival fans at Gillette Stadium, and though many attended in groups supporting one side, there were also some groups of friends with happily divided loyalties.

18 July/August 2014

BRAZIL 2014

THE CANADIAN

CONNECTION WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY LES JONES – COVERSHOTS INC.

The maple leaf was represented at the 2014 World Cup as three Canadians displayed their skills on the pitch; Scarborough-born Jonathan de Guzman collected a bronze medal. He started the first two games for the Dutch team, before being substituted, then made the starting XI for the 3rd/4th place match against Brazil when veteran midfielder Wesley Sneijder was injured in the pre-match warm-up.

Former Canadian U-20 international, Asmir Begovic, was Bosnia & Herzegovina’s ’keeper for their three group games. He conceded just four goals, one an owngoal and one from tournament MVP Lionel Messi, but the team was still eliminated.

In addition to these two players, St. Catharines’ Joe Fletcher patrolled the touch-line as part of a three-man North American officiating team, with US ref Mark Geiger. It was chosen from 52 teams originally short-listed by FIFA and went on to a highly impressive performance.

Canadian referees and assistant referees are highly respected by FIFA. Team Canada has appeared in only one World Cup but at least six tournaments have featured Canadian officials. Ray Morgan began the parade, running the line in three matches in Chile in 1962 while Werner Winsemann was a linesman in 1978. He is the only Canadian to referee a World Cup game (Sweden-Holland in 1974).

Current Executive Director of the Manitoba Soccer Association, Hector Vergara went one tournament better than Winsemann, serving as an Assistant 20 July/August 2014

Referee in three consecutive tournaments from 2002-2010. Once unfairly dubbed by the British press as “Mr. Magoo” – the cartoon character whose near-sightedness is compounded by a stubborn refusal to admit a problem - he went on to establish the record for most World Cup appearances by any referee/assistant referee. His final international, the World Cup play-off for the bronze medal in 2010 was his 14th World Cup game. He is now a member of the FIFA Referee’s Committee.

Joe Fletcher has a special first to his credit. He is the first Canadian-born official

Assistant referee Joe Fletcher

to be chosen for a World Cup! Following his selection for the final of the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the 2012 London Olympic Football Tournament, and the 2013 Gold Cup, he has now added his name to the list of Canadian World Cup officials. He is probably better prepared, fitter and faster than all his predecessors. He has to be, the game is so much faster, the decisions more crucial and attempted deceit by players more widespread.

He believes speed is the key to a good performance – speed of foot and speed of thought. He studies the teams and players

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involved in advance to be better able to anticipate action. He doesn’t have a professional trainer but works on his general fitness and particularly his sprinting.

He runs most days for an hour and his regular routine involves 12 laps of “run & recover.” FIFA requires that its referees be able to sprint 40 metres in six seconds.

Fletcher does it in five!

It is essential for an assistant referee to be in the right place at the right time.

Making the correct offside call is perhaps the most crucial aspect of the game. A couple of feet in positioning can make all the difference. To determine ‘offside’, to determine whether a match-winning ‘goal’ should stand, can depend on the official’s line of sight. It is virtually impossible to make correct calls when the requirement is to determine whether a player is level with the last defender when the ball is played as it involves watching two parts of the field simultaneously.

Sprinting to be in-line with the last defender certainly helps however.

Joe also believes it necessary not just to make correct decisions but to convey the right impression: “The assistant referee’s task is all about perception, not just seeing what goes on but being perceived as capable.”

The charismatic Howard Webb, who officiated the 2010 World Cup final and who was the only British referee at the Brazil World Cup, also believes in the importance of developing a small advantage and, like Joe, believes it is essential “to be in the right place at the right time.” He trained by sprinting in a temperaturecontrolled chamber set to 40C with 80% humidity, to approximate some of Brazil’s weather. In game situations he expected to lose 10 pints of fluid while covering an average of 12 miles, a greater distance than most players.

In the spring, Joe spent a week in Zurich with other invitees undergoing medicals, fitness tests and participating in seminars. FIFA did everything it could to maximize correct decisions by the officials, to minimize controversy and to ensure uniformity and consistency of decision-making. The morning educational sessions involved technical and classroom matters; the afternoons saw practical sessions with FC Zurich players and U-20 players, game reviews and decisionmaking simulations. There was no time for sight-seeing. and Brazil was the same.

In between post game recovery, travel, training, debriefing and fitting in meals, the World Cup is all work and no play.

And after almost 2 months away from his family there was no desire to stay after the tournament to tour the country.

Joe arrived in Rio on June 1st, for ten days of seminars before the tournament began. Like all officials he learned his first assignment – Colombia-Greece - only 72 hours beforehand, a time period set to minimize the likelihood of efforts to influence match officials. Subsequent selection is performance-based and his ‘team’ was rewarded with being assigned to the current world-champions Spain in their key group match with Chile and followed this with the France-Nigeria roundof-sixteen game, a clear indication that their work was highly regarded by FIFA. That was Fletcher’s last appointment but, to his team’s credit, they were selected to stay for possible appointments after the quarter-finals, when many other officiating teams were sent home. In addition, Mark Geiger, Fletcher’s refereeing partner, was appointed fourth official for Brazil’s semi-final match. FIFA was certainly impressed with the CONCACAF trio! (Even Howard Webb’s crew was appointed to only two games in the entire tournament).

All the referees at the Brazil World Cup are full-timers and the top ten will each be paid $50,000 for their two months work. Joe Fletcher was away from his family for 2 months but made considerably less than $50,000 (worldwide, assistant referees make 30%-50% the amount of referees) and, indeed, would have made more money in his everyday profession of chartered accountant. However the lure of Brazil, the enjoyment of the Big Show, the challenge of calling it right, the satisfaction of being selected and of achieving his goal and most of all, the sense of accomplishment, made it all worthwhile.

Indeed, he can’t wait to lose more money at Russia 2018.

Les Jones is author of “SOCCER: Canada’s National Sport” an impressively entertaining account of the surprising achievements of Canada and Canadians in the world’s favourite sport. See: canadiansoccerstories.com

REFEREE’S DISAPPEARING TRICK It’s there one minute and gone the next. The ref reaches for his holster then bends down and sprays a white mark on the pitch from an aerosol can: Killing ants? Drawing directions?

Soccer Graffiti?

No, simply an option for temporarily marking the spot for a free kick. The ref paints a semi-circle where the ball is to be placed to prevent it being moved forward and draws a line to mark the limit of the defensive wall, to prevent encroachment.

It’s called Vanishing Spray and it disappears after a minute or so. It made its World Cup debut along with Goal-Line Technology in Brazil 2014, appropriately enough, since it was invented by a Brazilian. It’s taken 14 years to get widely accepted but was approved by the international Board in 2010 and then tested by FIFA at the U-20 World Cup, the Club World Cup and elsewhere It’s old hat to regulars at BMO Field and other MLS venues where the Aero Comex Futline brand is used and which will also be used by CONCACAF. It’s non-toxic, odourless, biodegradable, water-based and also come in colours. It does not stain clothes or damage grass or artificial turf or most surfaces.

Made in Mexico, it’s been met with general approval although some teams feel it inhibits quick free kicks. At the World Cup it has certainly been effective in keeping defenders in their place although statistics on back injuries among referees are not available!

If only the spray could make refereeing errors disappear too.

InsideSOCCER 21

Through the midway point of the 2014 World Cup, we were romanced by the, ahem, upsets and unpredictability of the tournament. We saw seeded powers Italy and Spain go out after the group stage.

WORLD’S ELITE CONTINUE TO

DOMINATE

BY STEVEN SANDOR

We saw three CONCACAF teams go through to the elimination rounds, and one — Costa Rica, no less — pushed the Netherlands all the way to penalty kicks in their quarterfinal match.

So, this World Cup should be remembered as a Cup of Upsets, right?

Absolutely not.

In fact, this World Cup, despite providing more goals than the 2010 edition and more remarkable matches since the 1986 tourney, went pretty well according to the common script. And that is, once you get down to the final stages, the perennial favourites are the teams that survive.

By the time we got to the semis, the closest thing we had left to a Cinderella was the Netherlands, a team that had got to the World Cup final three times before, only to lose on every occasion. Between Germany, Brazil and Argentina you had a total of 18 appearances in the World Cup final, and 10 wins (Yes, I am counting West German and German performances together: Let’s get the semantics out of the way).

So, in the end, the 2014 World Cup reflected this fact: That the list of World Cup elite nations is very small — and time and time again the established soccer powers rise to the top.

Sure, there have been falls from grace.

Uruguay, despite a recent renaissance, and Hungary — two of the traditional soccer powers — have fallen out of the 22 July/August 2014

Photography by Patrick Woodbury

elite club. France and Italy have had stumbles and early World Cup exits. And England, despite its World Cup win in 1966, has done little before or after that triumph to justify it being ranked with the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Germany, France or Spain.

If we include Germany and West Germany together, there have only been eight countries that can claim to have been World Cup winners (going into 2014) — Uruguay, Italy, Brazil, West Germany/ Germany, England, Argentina, France and Spain. Only four other countries can boast to have been to a World Cup final. Sweden did it once. Hungary’s been to two finals.

Czechoslovakia, no longer a nation, was in two finals. And, as mentioned earlier, the Netherlands have been to three.

Think about it. Between 1930 and 2010, 19 World Cups have been played.

That means 38 different nations could have made it to World Cup finals between Uruguay 1930 and South Africa 2010.

Only 12 have.

And, by the time we got to the semifinals of Brazil 2014, we knew that the club was going to remain at 12. So now it’s 12 out of 40. That means less than a third of the nations that could have punched their tickets to the World Cup final actually have got there.

It’s easily the most exclusive, difficultto-get-into club in all of sport.

Sure, we’ve had moments of romance

that have let us have the fantasy that the World Cup is packed with dark horses that were one step away from glory; Croatia Argentina’s Lionel Messi

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finished third in 1998; both South Korea and Turkey were semifinalists in 2002.

Poland has made a couple of very deep runs in the tournament. Belgium, too.

But the fact is, when we get to the final, odds are that it will be contested between national sides from this very small club of elite soccer nations.

And this World Cup illustrated why it’s so hard for other countries to break that glass ceiling.

First off, if you look at the rosters of the final four — Brazil, Netherlands, Germany and Argentina, you don’t find players who are playing outside of the established power leagues in South America and Europe. Brazil had one MLS player — Toronto FC keeper Julio Cesar — and he was on loan to the Reds from Queens Park Rangers.

And, the truth is that when you have all of your starters getting regular minutes for the world’s elite professional clubs, they are better equipped to handle the occasion of a World Cup than teams that are starting players who are employed in second-tier leagues.

Germany’s Thomas Müller

Costa Rica is the prime example of the overachiever. Of its 23-man roster, nine players were employed domestically.

One more had work in Saudi Arabia. Two were playing in MLS. Three more in the Norwegian league. It’s a wonderful story that this team was able to beat Uruguay and Italy, that it was able to eliminate Greece on penalties and then lost in a shootout to the Dutch. But, sooner or later, the law of averages was going to catch up to a squad of players who don’t see top-level competition on a regular basis.

The Americans brought a roster that was dominated by MLS players. Despite all the hoopla over the Americans making it to the round of 16, the United States team won just one game at the World Cup — its first group-stage match against Ghana.

It was dominated by Germany. And, if not for an out-of-his-head performance by keeper Tim Howard, the Americans would not have come close to taking Belgium to extra time in their round of 16 match. You could argue that the Americans actually outplayed their opposition in less than Brazil’s Neymar Jr.

90 minutes of the entire tournament.

They were technically lacking, but their bravado and athleticism allowed many of the rose-coloured glasses group to overlook the fact that the U.S. players’ techniques are still a generation behind the established powers.

There are only so many available jobs available in the top flights of Brazil, Argentina and the top Euro leagues. And, those jobs go to the countries’ domestic players and then the next priority goes to finding players from the established top nations in the world.

For example, it is much easier for a Brazilian or Argentine to get a work permit to play soccer in most European nations than it would be for a player from an emerging soccer nation. We even hear of Americans who can’t get permits to play in England; forward Juan Agudelo had his initial request to play for Stoke City rejected. America is a top-20 ranked FIFA nation. But it’s not an established soccer nation, and that’s a difference maker.

We have all heard of Canadians who have struggled to get work permits.

And, when your country struggles internationally, European sides are less inclined to bring over prospects from said nation. For example, you don’t see Hungarians playing in top leagues like you did up to the early ‘80s, despite the fall of Communism.

Meanwhile, German, Argentine, Brazilian. French, Italian, Spanish and Dutch prospects continue to find work.

And because they’re often at the top of the pecking order, it ensures that those nations will continue to be the top of the international pyramid.

Success breeds more success. A generation of winners will make the pathway easier for the next generation of players from that nation. And, when that generation also wins, the kids are spurred to play soccer and follow in the footsteps of their idols.

These cycles of success ensure that the elite nations in soccer don’t change very much.

Cinderella stories are great for the group stage and round of 16, but they don’t apply to the semifinals and finals.

When it comes down to it, the World Cup is one of the most reliable, anti-underdog events in all of sport.

InsideSOCCER 23

Gary Engla

The World Cup is essentially the biggest event in the world. Note, I didn’t say sports event, I said event, period. Apart from this World Cup, Brazil hosts the biggest party in the world – The Rio De Janeiro Festival.

8 THINGS TO LOVE AT THE WORLD CUP

BY JOSEPH PASSI

Brazil is the best soccer country in the history of the sport. Soccer is the biggest sport in the world. What do we get when we combine all those things together?

The BIGGEST party in the world – maybe ever! What was not to love about the World Cup going down in Brazil?

Well, besides the political unrest, it was a great time to tune into the world’s sport. There are few events that can rival

Photography by Patrick Woodbury watching to some degree, then you can safely assume pretty much every other country in the world was watching this unique event. The short list of events with the biggest impact after the World Cup are The Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, and anything to do with the Pope. And no, there’s no concrete evidence to that list.

So, with that in mind how could you not watch this massive event that had the world buzzing? So much fun and interesting stuff happened at the World Cup. Here is the top 8 list (in no particular order) of things that made the World Cup fantastic:

1

DIVING!

the World Cup when it comes to people all over the world discussing, arguing, analyzing and watching. I mean, look no farther than everyone in Canada getting involved. If everyone in Canada was 24 July/August 2014

Yes we had to start with one of the most controversial things. Every time you talk to a “light” fan of soccer in North America they will tell you how much they hate the diving and rolling around aspect. Yes I get it, you think it’s fake bla bla bla. Get over it. The NBA and NHL are actually having their own issues with that. Just go ask LeBron and Wade.

You know what? Diving actually makes it interesting; how many discussions and arguments have been had because of diving? Is that not entertainment to you? Are you not entertained? (to quote from Gladiator, in case you didn’t get the

awesome reference). There’s always so much more to diving than players simply “diving.” I won’t go into details here but just know there is! World Cup 2014 was no exception. It seemed at times that every single game brought new controversies over diving, and Arjen Robben seemed to be in every one of those discussions.

I seriously sometimes think that diving is great for the game just because it creates so much discussion and controversy.

Even people that don’t like soccer will watch it just to be able to make fun of the diving.

2SUAREZ BITING SOMEONE.

Oh wait, he’s already bitten two players in the past. Never mind…

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Uruguay to start the tournament, followed that up with a win over England, and finished atop the group by tying the four-time world champions Italy. They then held off the pesky and always hardto-beat Greeks in penalties, and came ever so agonizingly close to beating the Dutch. If someone picked Costa Rica to finish first in their group they don’t know anything about soccer. Yes that is contradictory considering they actually won the group but I don’t care… Nobody in their right mind was picking Costa Rica to win that group. End of conversation.

SERIOUSLY? HE BIT SOMEONE AGAIN?

This is the 3rd time Suarez has bitten someone on the pitch. And this after he had done a fairly good job at rebuilding his image. I mean, he was just coming off a two goal performance knocking out the British! Suarez has been the #1 villain in England for years! And he knocks them out with a two goal performance.

He couldn’t have been in a better place!

That’s probably all he wanted to do for years after being tormented by the English press. And, then he goes and bites someone the game after beating England.

People have tried getting into Suarez’ head to understand him better, but this only serves as evidence that nobody has actually cracked the Suarez code.

5

HOLLAND NEVER WINNING THE WORLD CUP.

Holland has never won the World Cup in case you were wondering whether it was one of the eight countries who have. But you are forgiven if you made the mistake of thinking it had since its fans act like they’re the all-time best. (I do love my Dutch friends, just not as fans…)

SURROUNDING 6CONTROVERSY THE REFEREEING.

4THE FANS.

If you didn’t enjoy the games, then at least you must have enjoyed the fans.

There was every kind of fan possible.

Fans in soccer, particularly when it comes to cheering your country, are the most biased and over-confident-but-shouldn’tbe people you will ever meet. You know how many people actually believe their country has a shot at winning the World Cup? A lot… And here’s the really sad part. Only eight countries have ever won a World Cup, and there’s essentially never been an upset winner! Every time a country has won the World Cup, they had a REALLY strong team. I mean, you will always get a Cinderella team that makes quarters or maybe if they’re really lucky even the semis. But win the World Cup? Not happening… Did it happen this World Cup? No, of course it didn’t. A team that has a rich soccer history and was definitely one of the stronger teams won it. In fact, we already knew for sure by the semi-finals that there was not going to be an upset winner.

This may be the hardest sport to referee.

Yes I know, probably every sport claims that, but what other sport has basically one referee to watch over 22 players on a huge pitch? Furthermore, what constitutes a foul, a reckless foul, an intentional foul, a yellow card, or a second yellow card is so arbitrary in soccer.

(Blame FIFA for that.) You can be sitting in a bar watching the slow-motion replay with five soccer friends and you may all disagree as to whether a foul was a foul or not. Yet, the refs have to make that decision in a split second while watching the play unfold at live speed. Oh, I forgot to mention that you have players actively trying to “deceive” you and there’s an area on the field where if you call a foul a team may get a penalty kick that changes the entire outcome of the game. Why do you think no ref was ever going to call a penalty kick against Brazil? Because refs value their life that’s why.

7CINDERELLA STORIES.

Yes I know I said there is never an upset winner of the World Cup. But, there always is a Cinderella team that makes it far in the tournament. This year’s Cinderella story was definitely Costa Rica. It stunned

RISE AND FALL 8THE OF NEW SOCCER TRENDS.

One of the beauties of sport is watching how the styles and trends change over the years. Sometimes styles may last longer than others. Styles and trends can be many different things. They can be formations, philosophies of play such as “total football,” direct football, counterattacking, big players, small and quick players, skill players, passing players etc.

Spain and Barcelona over the last six years had dominated through a style called Tiki Taka. Tiki Taka is basically a style characterized by ball possession and tons and tons of passing. It appears that most people are saying Tiki Taka is dead now that Spain was rather unceremoniously eliminated after two straight losses at this World Cup. Is Tiki Taka actually done?

I’m not convinced it is yet but we’ll see.

One thing we do know is that there was no other team that even came close to playing Tiki Taka like the Spaniards.

So, if for some reason you struggled to find entertaining moments watching the World Cup, take a look at this list and remember that great things happened! I must be honest though, if you struggled to find interesting things in this World Cup than soccer probably just isn’t for you. I mean, do you realize someone was bitten during a game? And even more fantastic, some random person in some part of the world made money betting on Suarez biting someone!? As such, I can’t imagine someone that struggled to be entertained by this World Cup, never mind a World Cup hosted in Brazil.

InsideSOCCER 25

JULY PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

BY OSA PRESIDENT RON SMALE

While travelling across the province this spring and summer, it has been great to see the ongoing dedication and commitment of staff, volunteers and technical leaders at the Club level.

I’ve witnessed significant collaboration and cooperation between Clubs who are adopting and supporting LTPD principles. Districts are hosting very well organized Festivals. The Ambassador Cup in Kingston was a huge success.

The German Canadian Football Club in London hosted a great event.

Those are just a few examples of the positive things happening across Ontario.

In addition, the OPDL has hit the ground running and League1 has kicked off its inaugural season. Ontario Cup action is in full swing as are our Regional I.D. programs. Regional and District leagues continue to provide great competition for our players.

Importantly, the feedback I’ve received from parents is that they are enthusiastic about our player-centered development focus and the changes that have been introduced. There are always challenges but progress has been made.

LOOKING AHEAD WHILE LEADING CHANGE The last few years have seen significant change around how we deliver the game for players throughout the system. The adoption of LTPD, enhanced coaching development and certification programs, a restructuring of Regional and District leagues as well as the introduction of the OPDL and League1 has reinforced that the status quo was no longer good enough for our Districts, Clubs or coaches—and most importantly, our players.

Our Clubs and Districts have done an outstanding job in terms of not only 26 July/August 2014

embracing change but also helping the Association move the game forward— and there is more to come.

MODERNIZING THE OSA GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE: REMOVING BARRIERS, SUPPORTING PLAYERS

Modernizing our aging governance structure is one of the most important opportunities currently before the OSA Board of Directors. The process began in earnest last December, when we invited external experts and a cross-section of the Ontario soccer community to meet with the Board to discuss how we could best work through the renewal process.

The Canadian Soccer Association embarked on a similarly ambitious exercise a few years ago. Most objective observers would acknowledge that the CSA Board is more responsive than ever before, and importantly, also now possesses the range of skills required to govern more effectively.

Technical and strategic alignment with the CSA is important, and at the same time, here in Ontario, we need a governance approach that works for us and responds to the specific needs of our constituents.

With that in mind, Board members as well as representatives of the broader soccer community volunteered earlier this year to become part of a governance review leadership group. No one knows exactly what the end result of this process will be but the committee is examining how we can create a governance structure that is representative, responsive and offers the skills and experience needed to oversee one of Canada’s largest sports organizations as effectively as possible in the years ahead.

The committee continues to meet on a regular basis, with established timelines, goals and objectives. One central objective is to get this new governance model right, not simply to move quickly for the sake of change. That means the process will move forward in a methodical, measured way to ensure there is consultation and thoughtful deliberation.

It’s critical that we find a made-inOntario solution, one that will make the game better for players, coaches, referees and administrators—with the interests of all soccer stakeholders in mind.

RESTRUCTURING REGIONAL AND DISTRICT LEAGUES

The OSA sees Regional and District Leagues as a critically important

component of our pyramid of play given that the vast majority of registered competitive players are involved in this part of the pathway. The OSA’s League Management Committee met in late May to plan ahead with regard to Regional and District League play in 2015. While some league providers have unfortunately disseminated inaccurate information that has caused unnecessary anxiety and uncertainty, the Committee has plans in place and is committed to ensuring as seamless a transition as possible for Districts and Clubs as they look forward to 2015 and beyond.

The OSA Board has approved the following recommendations from the League Management Committee: • 2014—No Promotion or Relegation at U12 • 2014—Removal of U12 Level 3 Division from the Regional Level • 2015—Two Conferences of eight Teams in Regional play • 2015—Removal of ALL L4 Age Divisions from Regional play • 2015—Movement to three League Levels (from 7). Level 1 is Local/Club; Level 2 is District; Level 3 is Regional • In 2015 each Region’s 2001s will populate the U14 Regional League as per 2014 Standings. (The Level 3s and L4 Premier will be promoted to L3.)

• In 2015 each Region’s 2002s (U13) will play in their respective District Leagues.

The recommendations as to how the Regional Leagues will be populated in 2016 will be discussed at the next League Management Committee meeting, scheduled for July 19th.

We will aim to communicate updates in a timely fashion.

Our Regional and District leagues remain a priority going forward and we will work diligently with our League providers and Districts to address any concerns they may have.

RULES REWRITE UNDERWAY

One of the central issues facing the Association has been a dependence on too many outdated rules and regulations.

Ultimately this creates barriers in the system and outcomes that don’t help the game on or off the field and certainly don’t help player or coach development.

The objective of the rules rewrite project is to create rules that support the game, based on the participation and development of players, coaches, referees and administrators. Every rule is being reviewed with an eye toward the impact on those groups. It will be important to establish key milestones throughout the process and consult with all stakeholders.

The rule changes will include a clear delineation of responsibilities, rules and roles for our organizations. The Committee will also identify the extent to which rules are applicable to each stage of LTPD.

STAFF MOVEMENT

Many of you know that our Chief Technical Officer, Alex Chiet, is returning to his native New Zealand to accept a position with Sport New Zealand.

In addition, our long-time Director of Organizational Development, Bruce Henderson, is retiring. While the dedication and skills of these individuals will certainly be missed, our focus and technical direction will not change.

Our Technical staff working in both the grassroots and talented pathways is very strong. The many initiatives already underway, which are part of our Technical plan and 2020 vision, will move forward.

LOOKING AHEAD

The next few years will continue to be a time of not only change within the Association but also of significant progress. I wanted to highlight some key areas—governance, plans around our Regional and District leagues and our rules review project—because they represent major initiatives that will ultimately transform how our Districts and Clubs deliver the game to our most precious asset: players at all levels of the game.

There are many other issues, challenges and opportunities before us, and I will highlight those in future updates. Thank you.

Ron Smale, President

LEAGUE 1 ONTARIO STANDINGS JULY 12 RANK 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

CLUB Toronto FC Academy Vaughan Azzurri Windsor Stars Sigma FC Woodbridge Strikers ANB Futbol Durham United FC Master’s FA Saints Kingston Cataraqui Clippers

GP 8 7 7 7 6 6 6 7 7

W 5 5 4 4 3 2 1 2 1

D 3 1 2 1 0 1 3 0 2

L 0 1 1 2 3 3 2 5 4

Pts 18 16 14 13 9 7 6 6 5

GF 21 20 12 21 10 6 6 6 9

GA 7 9 4 7 9 8 9 15 23

GD +14 +11 +8 +14 +1 -2 -3 -9 -14

10

Internacional de Toronto C.F.

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6

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-20

InsideSOCCER 27

Sophie Schmidt celebrates after scoring Canada’s lone goal in the match

CANADA UNABLE TO FASHION A COMEBACK

BY LES JONES - COVERSHOTS INC. 28 July/August 2014

Photos courtesy of the Canadian Soccer Association

CANADA 1 – GERMANY 2 BC PLACE, JUNE 18, 2014 Attendance 15,618 Canada was hoping to make a statement against the world #2 ranked Germany, as the countdown to the Women’s World Cup continues. In the end it was only a fashion statement as the stronger, more cohesive, more composed, European champions created the majority of chances.

Canada was at least colourful in their new Umbro ‘home red’ jersey with its ‘horizontal sublimated colour pattern’ sound-wave, Canadian flag and maple leaf. ‘Keeper Karina LeBlanc sported a red fringed Mohawk, Sophie Schmidt blonde highlights and Kadeisha Buchanan an impressive hair weave, braided red. While neon yellow cleats are now the norm, LeBlanc went one step further, wearing Puma Tricks mismatched shoes - hot pink on her right foot, turquoise on her left. It was a combination matched by the German #11 Mittag, leaving one to wonder whether they perhaps shared 2 pairs of cleats!

It was a rare start these days for LeBlanc who, with over 100 caps, is gunning for her 5th World Cup appearance. Although caught in no-man’s land several times, she only conceded one goal - to Lotzen in the 29th minute. Erin McLeod took over at half-time and, given she was voted Player of the Match, that tells you all you need to know about the second half, even though Canada’s more experienced players were introduced as substitutes. She faced four one-on-one situations and came up huge

Erin McLeod (Right) and Kadeisha Buchanan chase down the loose ball. McLeod was named Player of the Match

each time or the score could have been much higher. Germany has averaged four goals per game this year and it was easy to see why.

Sophie Schmidt equalized with what might have been a perfectly executed lob or a fortuitous mis-hit but a 66th minute penalty by Laudehr sealed the win for Germany. The two teams have now played ten times and Germany has won all ten.

Eighteen year-old Buchanan, who was the MVP in her debut Keeper Karina LeBlanc sported against the US, looked a little a red fringed Mohawk for the out of touch against the Canadian crowd powerful and speedy Germans, giving away the ball on several occasions together with the match-winning penalty. But she is definitely one for the future, along with such players as Sura Yekka.

Usual match-winner Christine Sinclair had a quiet game and saw little of the ball and one concern for the team is what happens when she is injured, unavailable or off form. There

appears no one else who can consistently score. Melissa Tancredi is out of the picture and Kara Lang’s attempted comeback ended in a relapse.

Coach John Herdman bravely selected several inexperienced players to give them a taste of what to expect and his starting back-line featured three teenagers. He believes the team can win the World Cup but acknowledges it is not yet ready and remains a work in progress. He wants his team to play more of a possession game, to be more technical than the traditional Canadian physical approach.

Fashioning chances remains at a premium however.

Canada returns to action with two games against Japan in October.

InsideSOCCER 29

FIT FACTS

FOOTBALL FOR HEALTH LESSONS FROM THE 4 WORLD TH

CONFERENCE ON SCIENCE AND SOCCER

BY RICHARD BUCCIARELLI The 4th World Conference on Science and Soccer was held in Portland, Oregon, on June 4th-7th, 2014.

Researchers, academics, sports scientists, as well as practitioners in soccer-specific strength and conditioning, athletic therapy, sport psychology, and sports medicine descended upon Portland for three days to share their research, knowledge, and ideas. I have attended several of these conferences before, and for a soccer fitness coach like me, the best thing about them is the opportunity to learn new and exciting pieces of evidence-based theoretical knowledge, which can then be put into practice in the weight room and/or on the pitch.

The conference in Portland was no different, as it was both a great educational experience and also a fantastic opportunity to network with other soccer and fitness professionals.

One particular presentation, however, stood out to me both for its originality and for its practical applications.

Dr. Peter Krustrup, Ph.D., a professor of exercise physiology at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, who has also worked with the Danish Men’s and Women’s National teams, as well as several other professional soccer clubs in Europe, has for several years been the lead researcher in a group of studies titled “Football for Health”. The basic premise of the Football for Health studies has been to examine the difference in health effects between playing soccer and other more 30 July/August 2014

traditional forms of exercise (including strength training, jogging, and interval running) on a variety of markers of health (including muscle mass, cardiovascular endurance, and body composition).

The rationale for studying the health effects of playing soccer is quite simple.

Recent studies have indicated that there are a total of 400 million “soccer players” in the world. Of those, there are only about one million considered “elite” – professional and national team players.

The other 399 million – a staggering number – are mainly youth and/or adult competitive and/or recreational players, who will not make a career out of playing soccer, and thus are simply playing the game for enjoyment and physical fitness.

Dr. Krustrup and his team were interested in examining how participation in recreational soccer – comprising three hours per week of playing the game – affects the physical fitness of this large and growing number of people from around the world. The following is a summary of the results from one of the main Football for Health studies, titled “Recreational football as a health promoting activity: a topical review”, and how the results of this study can have a powerful impact on youth/adult soccer players both here in Canada, as well as around the world.

(Note: there were several dozen studies done comparing soccer to other forms

of physical activity on many different populations, including healthy youth/ adults, the elderly, and in people with diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, and others. For the purpose of this article, I will focus on the results from the one main study that was conducted using healthy adults).

GENERAL ORGANIZATION: Participants in this study were untrained men between the ages of 25 and 40, who were randomly assigned into 5 groups (listed below) and tested using a variety of physical and physiological measurements pre- and post-training intervention.

1. Soccer group: participated in 3 sessions per week of recreational soccer, 1 hour per session, for 12 weeks.

2. Jogging group: participated in 3 sessions per week of 60-minute jogging, for 12 weeks.

3. Interval running group: participated in 3 sessions per week of 60-minutes interval running, for 12 weeks.

4. Strength training group: participated in 3 sessions per week of 60-minutes strength training, for 12 weeks.

5. Control group: restricted to no physical activity for 12 weeks.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Soccer was second only to interval running in terms of % improvement in VO2 Max (a common indicator of aerobic endurance) and more importantly, the sport was also shown to have a far greater

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effect on change in body fat percentage than any other method of training, including jogging or interval running.

Soccer elicited a greater increase in muscle mass, and leg bone mass, than jogging or interval running, and more importantly, a similar increase in muscle and bone mass as compared to strength training.

The Football for Health studies have made a strong case for promoting participation in recreational soccer as a means of achieving better overall health, which includes cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health . The reason soccer is so effective is that, based on the results of these studies, the sport was shown to be the one form of exercise that will elicit significant improvements in both aerobic endurance, body composition, and muscle/bone strength.

IMPLICATIONS: In order to be ready to meet the physical demands of participation in recreational soccer, individuals should consider combining their soccer training with a program of aerobic endurance, speed/ power, strength, and flexibility training.

By combining running and strength training with soccer, players of any age and level of ability will ensure that they get the most out of their soccer practices and games. The benefits of this type of combination training include: • Ability to run faster and jump higher in training/games • Increased endurance and the ability to perform more running throughout training/games • Greater muscular strength which will reduce the likelihood of injuries while playing soccer By focusing on fitness training, any recreational soccer player will ensure that they can be ready to meet and exceed the sport’s physical demands, be pre-emptive in the prevention of possible injuries, and maximize the enjoyment and physical fitness benefits that will come out of

playing the sport they love.

At Soccer Fitness, we have recognized the need for supplemental fitness training to prepare the body for recreational soccer. We have just launched Soccer Fitness Gols, an online community and mobile fitness app, to meet this need. The Soccer Fitness Gols mobile app combines soccer-specific training, customized workouts, performance monitoring, practical workout schedules, and social connectivity to give every user a sciencebased and truly soccer-specific fitness training experience. With the World Cup capturing the attention of the entire planet this month, what better time to get back in shape using the world’s most popular sport? Soccer Fitness Gols can help you do just that.

Richard Bucciarelli is a sport scientist and co-founder of Soccer Fitness Gols (beta version of the app is available NOW through Google Play on all Android smart phones). Richard recently presented his research involving high speed/ high incline treadmill running, at the 4th World Conference on Science and Soccer in Portland, Oregon, in June 2014. For more information about Richard and Soccer Fitness Gols, visit www.soccerfitnessgols.com.

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@SoccerFitGols InsideSOCCER 31

COACH DAVE: MY CORNER

FIT FACTS

BARRIERS TO ENTRY

BY DAVE KENNY

“He is afraid that he will not be able to handle the pressure from coaches if he can not keep up.”

“Too much internal politics at the club level. If you are not part of the ‘clique’, you do not get evaluated properly.”

“Practice and games leave no time for anything else.”

“Too expensive overall, and in general too big a time-commitment, extremely competitive.”

“Really aggressive parents...are a huge turn off. They set a bad example for the kids and make it intolerable for other parents.”

Do these statements sound familiar?

Do these statements apply to your child or your soccer club?

You may be surprised when I tell you these quotes actually belong to hockey parents. They are samples from a collection of statements made in a research study conducted by Hockey Canada and Bauer. Hockey Canada is concerned about the future of the game in Canada and has created a 10 year plan to add “1 million new players to our game.”

The “Grow The Game” initiative examined the reasons as to why children are NOT participating in hockey. Two of 32 July/August 2014

the “Perceived Barriers to Entry” included time commitment and high costs.

So why am I discussing hockey in a soccer magazine? Quite simply, it has brought attention to the issues that I raised in a previous issue. I stated that the year-round commitment to soccer and the costs involved were going to have a negative impact on the game. I also expressed concerns that Technical Directors and clubs were creating additional revenue streams by mandating year round soccer to pay for expensive indoor facilities. I am sure the club administrators who require these programs to pay their expenses are not very happy with me for bringing this out in the open.

Unfortunately, a coach who expresses an opposing opinion to that of the TD or club executive often finds himself on the outside or being branded “old school.” Personally, this OLD SCHOOL coach has always felt it is important for children to enjoy sports other than just soccer. I wrote previously that I believe players and volunteer coaches need a break to recharge the personal battery.

Apparently, I am not the only coach who feels this way. I received responses from other coaches and not one said I was wrong in my thinking.

One coach responded, “Your article covers a lot of great points. I, too, believe these kids need a break from soccer and I also allow my players the ability to go to their winter sport during winter...”

And another statement, “We should try to encourage (the players) to stay in the sport for life. Let’s not turn them off the sport as well as burn out the volunteers who all have full time jobs and do the soccer on their own time.

Our technical team seems to forget this when demanding that the coaches run the (winter program) on their behalf. If it was truly about development, they would run it as our resident professionals.... Or at least give us a guideline, a curriculum”.

I do not want people to think I am opposed to all winter soccer programs. I also want to stress that I am not against winter development programs for elite players. I am a supporter of player development as a key to National Team success. What I am concerned about is that we start to price soccer out of the reach of families or we create programs just to fund other projects. I don’t want to see the same barriers to entry that hockey is experiencing. I would like to see soccer clubs run programs for the masses and have the elite players develop separately.

Former Vancouver Whitecaps coach,

Martin Rennie, recently wrote on his website, www.renniecoaching.com, that Canada’s poor soccer performance at the national level can be attributed to the fact that “There is not enough private enterprise in Canadian soccer to allow it to ever be successful.”

Rennie argues that since the USA hosted World Cup ’94 the game has grown due to the influence of private clubs, facilities, quality coaching, camps and travel. He states that a private club owner is best suited to run a successful club when his livelihood is on the line.

The owner will get the best coaches and the best facilities possible to ensure players do not leave his club, thereby affecting his personal income. Rennie believes that better coaching, better facilities and greater participation has resulted in better teams and ultimately a better National Squad that currently sits about 100 spots above Canada in the FIFA rankings.

Rennie believes the “volunteer” nature of soccer clubs in Canada is the reason we do not develop world class players. Most clubs are “not-for-profit” and most young players are coached by a parent coach, with little training. Not for profit clubs would like to be successful but they don’t need to be. Only the Head Coach makes his living working for the club and he is usually on salary, not paid per player.

Rennie is right! Well at least, I agree with him. Non-profit is NOT the way to

go. I stated previously that the Junior Hockey system was my preferred model for a player development programme.

I think, like Rennie, that the private enterprise system would put all the programs in place to create the proper training environment, to create the best players, winning teams and ultimately profits, which could be re-invested as the owners see fit.

In Ontario, spring 2014 brought us the introduction of the OPDL. The OPDL is the new u13 development league where participation is not based on performance but rather on a club’s ability to provide coaching and facilities. I have been critical of the league for excluding private academies from participating even though its own development committee recommended academy inclusion.

With the exception of the TFC entry, all other teams participating are from not-forprofit Ontario clubs. Operational costs per team are high and the players are paying much of the expenses. The OSA website states that the OPDL is where “Ontario’s best players are given the opportunity to reach their full potential.” I would argue it’s an opportunity for players who can afford it, to reach their full potential. The high standards for facilities and coaching is what is needed to develop our elite players but I don’t think the program should be conducted on the backs of all other members in a club (house league)

or on the backs of parents. Unfortunately, in a non-profit organization, the costs will be absorbed by ALL club players. I would prefer if private enterprise ran the program and sold tickets to spectators to offset the costs.

I spoke to one parent following the OPDL opening weekend in London, and asked his thoughts about the costs. His response was that they are fundraising to try to keep the fees per player as low as possible. He estimated he would end up paying around $3,000, which he thought was reasonable “compared to what we pay for hockey!” (There’s that hockey comparison again).

One parent of one of the York Region teams voiced her concern that six York teams travelled to London to play each other. “Why do we have to drive all the way to London when we could have stayed home and played?” she asked.

I would have to agree. I would have preferred a regional team that all local clubs could support with facilities, players and coaches. That was not the model chosen by the administrators. Even though the league is operated by nonprofit clubs, I am willing to give the OPDL time to prove to me that it will produce the players to make us a soccer power. I remember the 1986 World Cup, where Canada actually participated. If the OPDL is going to help us get there again, I am all for it. I just hope it does not create the barriers that hockey is trying to eliminate.

InsideSOCCER 33

MY FIRST THOUGHTS OF 9V9 I have now experienced my first 5 months of coaching a “non-competitive” competitive team. Let me explain. As I mentioned in previous editions, I have joined a smaller club and agreed to coach the u12 boys. It has been five years since I coached players this young. It is also the first time I’ve coached 9v9 on a small field and the first time results have not counted. So what do I think so far?

I HATE IT! I started with winter training in January.

From an initial group of 23 players, by the time we moved outside we were down to 14. No cuts were necessary and everyone who stayed with the program made the team. At the 12 year old age group, the travel team league is considered “noncompetitive” under the LTPD. Stats are not kept, yet for some reason the referee keeps track of goal scorers and all players and coaches need their registration books. If no stats are kept, who would need to play an illegal player?

We play on a field that’s somewhere around 80 yards in length and around 4050 yards in width. Players are inside their own half and shooting to score! Bottom line is: the field is too small for 12 year

olds, even if it is 9v9. The players are just too big and strong. In our first game, the two opposing goalkeepers spent about two minutes kicking the ball back and forth from the top of the goal area.

With the reduced width of the field, I find there is too much play through the middle and the players have a hard

time staying wide. I do like the smaller size goals. With goalposts height and width reduced, it stops the lob over the ‘keepers head as the best offensive skill developed. I think the small field is leading to more goals but it seems the fastest athlete is still the guy dominating.

My understanding was that the reduced number of players and field size would help all players touch the ball more. I don’t think that is happening.

I have also noticed a difference in the players. The players DO know the scores at the end of the game. They know who scored, who missed and whose fault it was when a goal is given up. However, since each game does not count in standings, there seems to be the attitude that missing games or practice doesn’t really matter. Only one time this year have I had all 14 players out at the same time.

As a result, I believe we are behind in the development plan and keep having to go back for refresher sessions. What was supposed to help development, I believe is creating an attitude of “who cares?”

• •

DRILL OF THE MONTH: “RAPID SHOT” SET UP

THE GAME

• Set up a line of balls approx 14 yards from goal (6-8 balls depending on player age)

• Coach blows the whistle and starts the stopwatch

• Encourage players to use both feet to shoot

• Attacking player strikes the first ball in an attempt to score

• Encourage players to shoot without “overthinking”

• After the attacker shoots the first ball, he must sprint around the pylon and then strike the second ball

• Teach players to shoot, even as they tire

• Set a pylon at the top of the “d”, 22 yards from goal • Coach requires a stopwatch and a whistle • A goalkeeper is required to stand approx 2-3 yds in front of the goalline • An attacking player stands a couple of yards behind the first ball

OBJECT • The attacking player tries to score as many goals as possible, against the goalkeeper, in a limited time period (suggest 20-30 seconds) • The goalkeeper tries to prevent as many goals as possible

34 July/August 2014

• The attacker continues to try to get off a shot with each ball but must sprint around the pylon before each shot is taken • The game ends when all balls have been shot at goal or time runs out (coach blows whistle to indicate time is up)

COACHING POINTS • Encourage players to make quick decisions

• Encourage goalkeepers to regain positioning quickly to make the “next” save • Encourage shooters not to “admire” his shot, but rather sprint to round the pylon

WHY THIS WORKS • Players learn to “pick their spot” quickly • Fitness improves and players learn to shoot as they tire • Goalkeepers learn to recover quickly • Allows for internal competition between shooters and goalkeepers

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SOCCER SEASON

KICKS OFF WITH A NATIONAL CHEERING CONTEST Youth teams across Canada can submit video of their cheer to win!

(NC) The hunt is on for the most spirited cheers across Canada. A new national program by BMO kicks off this summer, encouraging youth soccer teams to submit their most enthusiastic team cheer for the chance to win a trip to attend a Major League Soccer

36 July/August 2014

(MLS) game.

Coaches and parents are invited to submit their team’s cheer video to BMOSoccer.com until September 26, 2014. Amateur videographers are welcomed. In fact, submissions can be shot from smart phones or home video

cameras and the focus is on team spirit, rather than elaborate production. Youth soccer players, aged 7-12, from any team at any level can enter.

Every entrant will receive an eyecatching water bottle plus a special offer to open a BMO kid’s account. Over the duration of the program, up to 100 teams each week will be randomly selected to receive a $75 gift card to cover team expenses.

“Soccer is important to us,” says Justine Fedak, senior vice president and head of brand, advertising and sponsorships for BMO Financial Group. “We are proud sponsors of the Canadian Women’s and Men’s national teams, and also the Major League Soccer teams in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. And we are thrilled to support almost 20,000 house league soccer players across Canada.”

Fedak adds, “Our newest program strengthens our support of youth community soccer across the country. Our focus is enabling every kid and coach to get involved − whether it is profiling their team and rallying for support, offering equipment and jerseys, and sending a lucky team to see their favourite sports team play – we love soccer.”

In September, one team will win a grand prize of a trip for all players and coaches to attend an MLS game.

There’s something in it for the coaches as well. Players are invited to nominate their coach for special recognition.

They are encouraged to describe how their coach exhibits the qualities of a good leader, instils a love of soccer with everyone on the team, and reinforces a vision for the team to love coming to the pitch.

Twenty-six winning coaches will be selected by a celebrity panel of judges and will win $1,000 for their respective teams.

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CHARACTER BUILDING AT THE HEART

COMMUNITY SOCCER

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(NC) Dr. Jean Côté, a preeminent expert on youth sports and coaching, worked with BMO Financial Group to develop a report – The Power of Youth – that got to the heart of the crucial influence of those that are often on the side of the soccer pitch, cheering, encouraging, and strategizing. In this report, he applies his knowledge and expertise specifically to youth soccer Dr. Côté underscores four positive outcomes of youth soccer, the “4 Cs”: Competence, Confidence, Connection, and Character/Caring.

COMPETENCE: Refers to the ability to execute sport specific skills, train, compete, and perform.

In soccer, competence is achieved through the execution and repetition of creative and fun learning activities.

CONFIDENCE: Refers to the belief in one’s ability to succeed in specific situations. In soccer, confidence is developed in an environment which values and underscores personal progress, effort, and improvement.

CONNECTION: Refers to the ability to build positive bonds between people (e.g. coaches, teammates, opponents) and within institutions (e.g. clubs, schools, communities). In soccer, connection is developed through the promotion of relationships that are built on trust, respect, and compassion.

CHARACTER/CARING: Refers to the respect of appropriate behaviours in sport, including rules, integrity, and empathy for teammates and opponents. Young soccer players who show character display a consistent sense of fairness in their actions on and off the field.

In the spirit of fostering community soccer, major national bank, BMO, is on the hunt for the most spirited cheers across Canada. A new national program kicks off this summer, encouraging youth soccer teams across the country to submit their most enthusiastic team cheer for the chance to win a trip to attend a Major League Soccer (MLS) game.

Coaches and parents are invited to submit their team’s cheer video to BMOSoccer.com until September 26, 2014. Amateur videographers are welcomed. In fact, submissions can be shot from smart phones or home video cameras and the focus is on team spirit, rather than elaborate production. Youth soccer players, aged 7-12, from any team at any level can enter.

InsideSOCCER 37

The Power of Blue door provided BMO customers an exclusive

FIFA U-20 WOMEN’S WORLD

CANADA’S BIG MYSTERY RIVAL

BEATING NORTH KOREA COULD BE THE KEY TO WINNING IT ALL

BY STEVEN SANDOR

Photographs Courtesy of the Canadian Soccer Association

For a lot of the players on the Canadian women’s U-20 team, North Korea will be a sort-of familiar opponent.

Most of the women on the team have represented Canada at either this year’s U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica, or at the 2012 U-17 Women’s World Cup, held in Azerbaijan. In 2012, Canada was knocked out of the tournament by the North Koreans. In 2014, an own goal from Kim Jong Sum allowed Canada to get a 1-1 draw with North Korea; it was a vital result, as Canada qualified for the knockout stage, finishing ahead of the Asian women’s soccer powerhouse by a single point.

So, maybe Fate was having a laugh when Canada was drawn in a group with North Korea for the 2014 U-20 World Cup. Canada will play Ghana and Finland in Toronto, then wraps up Group A play with a match against the North Koreans in Montreal. That game could be a decider for the Canadians — if they will progress to the quarter-finals or crash out in the group stage.

38 July/August 2014

“North Korea will be a very difficult opponent, they are third ranked in the world after Germany and the U.S. when it comes to their youth programs,” says Andrew Olivieri, the head coach of the Canadian U-20 women’s team.

And, what makes North Korea an especially tough opponent is that it always comes into a tournament as the big unknown. Because of North Korea’s especially closed society, opposing coaches get info about that country’s national teams only in dribs and drabs. Or not at all. In a lot of ways, it’s a lot easier to prepare to play a world power like the U.S. or Germany, because you’ll have plenty of game tape.

“How easy is it to scout them?” Olivieri laughs. “Impossible. You can take a look at some of their qualifying matches, but those happen eight, nine or 10 months before the tournament.”

So, the classic coaching adage is to

Head Coach Andrew Olivieri

CUP PREVIEW not worry about what the opposition is doing, but to concern yourself with the performance of your own team, instead.

And this Canadian team should have any worries over inexperience. Five players — defenders Kadeisha Buchanan, Sura Yekka and Rebecca Quinn, plus midfielders Ashley Lawrence and Jessie Fleming, played in the Canadian senior women’s team’s most recent friendly, a 2-1 loss to Germany in June. Yekka, the teenage fullback, played in the most recent U-17 World Cup, will play in this U-20 World Cup and will likely feature for Canada in next year’s Women’s World Cup. Having given so many teenagers a taste of senior football, senior women’s team coach John Herdman has done some favours for Olivieri.

But there’s more to it than just getting the kids some experience. Since taking over the women’s program after Canada’s humiliating performance in the 2011 Women’s World Cup, Herdman has demanded that all the women’s teams play the same systems; that players moving up from the U-17 and U-20 teams embrace the same passing style that Herdman is trying to evolve with the senior side.

While it is important for Canada to win games and do well at this U-20 Women’s World Cup, the ultimate goal is to prep as many players as possible for inclusion into the Women’s World Cup squad for 2015.

“It’s more than experience,” says Olivieri. “It’s about trying to put a system in place, a system that they learn as they stream towards the senior team. Whether it’s U-17 or U-20 or the senior team, it’s consistent. When they come here, it’s just a different coach’s voice and maybe a few different faces around them. But it’s crucial that we have that system in place, and it’s what we’ve been working towards since John Herdman came in and we’ve added some experts.

“Everything we do is done with the senior team in mind. We ask ourselves,

New addition Janine Beckie

‘what we can do to contribute to winning World Cups and Olympics?’”

As well, the U-20 Women’s World Cup will allow the coaches to see how the players react to the home crowds. As we saw with the Brazilian men’s team at the World Cup, there are two ways for the players to react to boisterous, expectant home crowds. You either are fuelled by the passion of the fans, or you collapse under the pressure and weight of expectation. After Brazil gave up the first goal to Germany in the semifinal,

being at home worked against the team in canary yellow. The pressure was too much for the players, who looked stagefrightened as the Germans scored goal after goal, eventually winning 7-1.

So, is it encouraging or intimidating to play at home?

“I think it’s both,” says Olivieri. “That’s why it’s great to play this U-20 World Cup ahead of the World Cup on home soil. You learn what the experience will be like.

The players can learn how to feed off the energy of the home crowd. But they also learn to cope with the extra attention and pressure that comes with playing in Canada.”

Aside from the experienced five players mentioned earlier in this piece, there are two interesting attackers for Canadian supporters to watch.

The first is Janine Beckie, who has scored 26 goals and added nine assist in 45 games for Texas Tech over her last two seasons in the NCAA. She’s also brand new to the Canadian program.

“Janine has come in and she’s played very well,” says Olivieri. “She had been in the U.S. youth system, but she’s now committed to Canada.”

Of course, the Beckie last name is awfully familiar in Canadian soccer circles.

Her older brother, Drew, currently plays for the NASL’s Ottawa Fury and was a part of the Canadian national U-23 team that fell just short of qualifying for the 2012 Olympics. Drew and Janine were born in Saskatchewan, but their family moved to Colorado when they were kids.

Janine had been part of the American youth program, but decided to move to the Canadian system. And Drew’s influence played a big part in the decision.

“Her brother told her that Canada is a great place,” says Olivieri. “And she had a choice. She could have gone back to the U.S. program. But she wanted to play for Canada. We were not her number two choice. We were her number one choice.”

The other forward to watch is Nichelle InsideSOCCER 39

FIFA U-20 WOMEN’S WORLD Prince, who scored 12 times in 19 games in her freshman season at Ohio State University.

“Nichelle has had a great start to her collegiate career at Ohio State,” says Olivieri. “She had a good showing in the last U-17 World Cup in Azerbaijan. If she can keep up her development, I think she could be a candidate to come back with Canada for the World Cup in 2015. She already has one senior cap, one goal.”

Does this Canadian team have enough to usurp the Germans, Americans or even the North Koreans? It may be a very tough task — but at least we sorta know the challenges the Germans and Americans will provide. The North Koreans? The mystery. And that’s what makes this burgeoning North Korea/Canada rivalry so intriguing.

CANADA AT THE FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP CANADA 2002 Result: 2nd Future Canadian Stars: Christine Sinclair, Carmelina Moscato, Erin McLeod, Candace Chapman, Kara Lang, Brittany Timko, Robyn Gayle THAILAND 2004 Result: Quarter-Finals Future Canadian Stars: Sophie Schmidt, Emily Zurrer, Josée Belanger, Stephanie Labbe

RUSSIA 2006 Result: Group Stage Future Canadian Stars: Kaylyn Kyle, Desiree Scott CHILE 2008 Result: Group Stage Future Canadian Stars: Jonelle Filigno, Chelsea Stewart JAPAN 2012 Result: Group Stage Future Canadian Stars: Adriana Leon, Nkem Zurike

AMERICAN U-20 WOMEN COME HOME TO EDMONTON

BY STEVEN SANDOR

In 2002, when it was known as the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship, the United States’ team made some fond memories at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium. In front of nearly 50,000 fans, the U.S. triumphed over Christine Sinclair’s Canadian side in the final. Lindsay Tarpley scored the 109th-minute winner as the Americans beat Canada 1-0 to break the hearts of most of the people watching from the stands.

Fast forward to 2014 and Edmonton will be the home base of the American team for this year’s U-20 Women’s World Cup. It is where they will play two of their three group-stage games. Edmonton is the base for Group B, the tournament’s Group of Death, which also features Germany, Brazil and China.

The U.S. beat Germany 1-0 in the 2012 U-20 Women’s World Cup final. And now they are drawn together in the 40 July/August 2014

group stage.

“We knew going into the competition that Edmonton would be spectacular,” said James Moorhouse, USA Soccer’s technical director, during a spring site visit to Commonwealth Stadium. “In a lot of ways, we feel like we’re at home.”

Now, it would be easy to note that the Americans failed to make it to the 2014 U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica, and think that maybe that gives some kind of justification for not rating their U-20 side as the tournament favourites.

But this U-20 team is populated by players who represented America at the 2012 U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan. Different era, different team. Of the 27 players coach Michelle French invited to the recent evaluation camp, nine came from that 2012 U-17 team. Plus, the American defence will be anchored by Cari Roccaro and Stephanie

Amack, who were both part of the team that won the U-20 World Cup in 2012.

In a youth tournament, it’s rare for a coach to be able to count on experienced players. But French has that luxury with this very powerful U.S. side.

At the U-20 CONCACAF Championship, which acted as a U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier, the Americans won every one of the five games they played — and outscored the opposition by a 29-0 count.

McKenzie Meehan, with six goals, led the tourney in scoring. Savannah Jordan scored five times and led the tournament with 25 shots on goal.

The Americans are in a good spot.

They’ll be based in a city that’s historically brought them luck, and can score goals in bunches. It would not be a surprise to see them defend their U-20 World Cup title.

CUP PREVIEW CANADIAN WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM PROGRAM – UP AND COMING TALENT Kadeisha Buchanan, Surra Yekka and Jessie Fleming are amongst Canada’s brightest young talents. They are the future of our National Team; look for them to shine at this year’s FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup Canada 2014 and at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™.

JESSIE FLEMING

Jessie Fleming is the second youngest player to have competed for Canada’s Women’s National Team. Born and raised in London, ON, the midfielder recently captained Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2014.

Nickname: Jess | Flem WNT Debut: 15 Dec 2013 Favourite Club: Borussia Dortmund Best Advice: Get outside of your comfort zone (that’s where the magic happens) FavouritePlayer: Mario Götze & Maradona

Match Day Superstitions: Right side before left

KADEISHA BUCHANAN

Kadeisha Buchanan was 17-years-old when she made her National Team debut. A talented defender, this native of Mississauga, ON, has already shut out USA striker Abby Wambach on two separate occasions.

Nickname: Keisha | Kedish WNT Debut: 12 January 2013 Favourite Club: Barcelona.

Huge Messi fan Best Advice Given: Sticks and stones may break your bones but words will never hurt you FavouritePlayer: Sinclair & Messi Match Day Superstitions: I have to listen to some reggae

SURA YEKKA

This native of Brampton, ON, will potentially have played in three FIFA Women’s World Cups by the time she’s 19 years of age. With good pace and technical ability she has the skills to become one of the game’s best fullbacks.

Nickname: Yekkster | Sassy Sura WNT Debut: 30 Oct 2013 Favourite Club: Arsenal FC Best Advice Given: Don’t worry about the things you can’t control and focus on the things that you can control.

Favourite Player: Yaya Toure Match Day Superstitions: I don’t have any

InsideSOCCER 41

MATCH SCHEDULE

FIFA U-20 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP CANADA 2014

Edmonton

03 17:00

11 17:00

21 18:00

GER v.

USA

GER v.

CHN

NGA v.

ENG

04 20:00

12 20:00

24 15:00

CHN v.

BRA

USA v.

BRA

PAR v.

FRA

Thursday August 14

Wednesday August 13

Tuesday August 12

Monday August 11

Sunday August 10

Saturday August 9

Friday August 8

Thursday August 7

Wednesday August 6

Tuesday August 5

Group Matches

Commonwealth Stadium

Moncton

05 17:00

13 14:00

18 20:00

ENG v.

KOR

ENG v.

MEX

GHA v.

FIN

*EDT +1

06 20:00 MEX v.

NGA

07 20:00 NZL v.

PAR

Montreal

Rest day

Moncton Stadium 14 17:00 KOR v.

NGA

15 17:00 NZL v.

FRA

Olympic Stadium *EDT

Toronto

Rest days

*EDT -2

20 17:00 USA v.

CHN

17 19:00 PRK v.

CAN

08 17:00

16 20:00

19 16:00

FRA v.

CRC

PAR v.

CRC

BRA v.

GER

01 20:00

09 20:00

22 20:00

CAN v.

GHA

CAN v.

FIN

KOR v.

MEX

02 17:00

10 17:00

23 17:00

FIN v.

PRK

GHA v.

PRK

CRC v.

NZL

National Soccer Stadium *EDT

Group A Canada (CAN)

Group C

Group B Ghana (GHA)

42 July/August 2014

Finland (FIN)

Korea DPR (PRK)

Germany (GER)

USA (USA)

China PR (CHN)

Brazil (BRA)

England (ENG)

Nigeria (NGA)

21 18:00

26 18:00

NGA v.

ENG

1st B v.

2nd A

Sunday August 24

Saturday August 23

3/4 Place and Final Friday August 22

Thursday August 21

Wednesday August 20

Tuesday August 19

Semi Finals Monday August 18

Sunday August 17

Saturday August 16

Friday August 15

Thursday August 14

Wednesday August 13

Quarter Finals

24 15:00

29 20:00

1st C v.

2nd D

W25 v.

W27

28 19:00 1st D v.

2nd C

Rest days

27 17:00

Rest days

Rest days

PAR v.

FRA

30 20:00 W26 v.

W28

31 16:00 L29 v.

L30

32 19:00 W29 v.

W30

22 20:00

25 17:00

KOR v.

MEX

1st A v.

2nd B

23 17:00 CRC v.

NZL Š FIFA

Group D Nigeria (NGA)

Mexico (MEX)

Korea Republic (KOR)

New Zealand (NZL)

Paraguay (PAR)

France (FRA)

Costa Rica (CRC)

Subject to Change.

W = Winner, L = Loser Times are listed. Eastern Daylight Times (EDT) is Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) -4 hours. * Note: Local kick-o

InsideSOCCER 43

CANADA’S U20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

ROSTER A-Z Canada Soccer announced its official roster for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 and introduced the players to the media at an event held on 16 July in Toronto, ON. Photo by Susan Elliott

44 July/August 2014

Head Coach Andrew Olivieri selected the 21 players that will make up Canada’s Women’s U-20 Team that will try to win a world championship on home soil as Canada hosts the tournament that starts in Toronto on 5 August and ends at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal on 24 August. Edmonton and Moncton will also host games in the competition.

The team features a number of players who have international experience at both the youth and senior levels – Kadeisha Buchanan, Jessie Fleming, Ashley Lawrence, Rebecca Quinn and Sura Yekka having all featured in a Women’s National Team match over the past year – but without a doubt, a FIFA competition at home will be the highlight of their young careers.

Four members of this team have already represented Canada in youth FIFA World Cup action this year as Jessie Fleming, Rylee Foster, Sarah Kinzner and Sura Yekka all were members of the team that reached the quarterfinals at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2014 back in March.

Defender Kinley McNicoll from Oakville, ON will wear the armband as team captain. McNicoll was a member of the Canadian team that took part at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Trinidad and Tobago 2010.

Playing in Group A, Canada opens the competition in Toronto on 5 August against Ghana with a game against Finland on 8 August before wrapping up the group stage in Montreal on 12 August against Korea DPR. Here are the 21 players that will be representing Canada at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014: NAME

BIRTH YEAR

HOME TOWN

Agnew, Lindsay

1995

Dublin, OH, USA

Beckie, Janine

1994

Denver, CO, USA

Buchanan, Kadeisha

1995

Brampton, ON, CAN

Campbell, Ashley

1994

Bradford, ON, CAN

Carvery, Jordane

1996

Richmond Hill, ON, CAN

Davis, Kylie

1994

L’Ile-Bizard, QC, CAN

Fleming, Jessie

1998

London, ON, CAN

Fletcher, Emma

1995

Victoria, BC, CAN

Foster, Rylee

1998

Cambridge, ON, CAN

Grégoire, Vanessa

1996

Pointe Claire, QC, CAN

Kinzner, Sarah

1997

Calgary, AB, CAN

Lawrence, Ashley

1995

Caledon, ON, CAN

McNicoll, Kinley

1994

Oakville, ON, CAN

Pickett, Victoria

1996

Barrie, ON, CAN

Pierre-Louis, Amandine

1995

Laval, QC, CAN

Prince, Nichelle

1995

Ajax, ON, CAN

Quinn, Rebecca

1995

Toronto, ON, CAN

Sanderson, Valérie

1995

Deux-Montagnes, QC, CAN

Sheridan, Kailen

1995

Whitby, ON, CAN

Vandal, Marie-Joëlle

1995

Longeuil, QC, CAN

Yekka, Sura

1997

Mississauga, ON, CAN InsideSOCCER 45

CANADA’S U20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP PLAYER PROFILE’S

AMANDINE PIERRE-LOUIS 1995 LAVAL, QC, CAN F NOTES Speaks French and English... sports family (basketball father)... her father was born in Cap Haitien, Haiti while her mother was born in Montréal, QC. She grew up competing in soccer and gymnastics and was five years old when she started playing soccer at Fabrose ARS Laval.

Enjoys hanging out with friends.

FOR COUNTRY She was 16 years old when she made her debut in the Canadian youth program in 2011 with coach Bryan Rosenfeld. Won a silver medal at the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship in Guatemala (Canada qualified for Azerbaijan 2012) and represented Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Azerbaijan 2012.

ASHLEY CAMPBELL 1994 BRADFORD, ON, CAN M NOTES Has been playing her Collegiate soccer with the University of Dayton in the USA. Has participated in the Women’s national Excel cam in Burnaby in 2012. As well as the Women’s National U20 Camp in 2014.

EMMA FLETCHER 1995 VICTORIA, BC, CAN M NOTES Born into a soccer family with her brother Sam and speaks English. Her father was born in Napier, NZL while her mother was born in Duncan, BC, CAN. She grew up competing in soccer and basketball and was five years old when she started playing soccer for Gordon Head SA. FOR COUNTRY She was 15 years old when she made her debut in the Canadian youth program in 2010 with coach David Benning. She also represented New Zealand at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Azerbaijan 2012.

JANINE BECKIE 1994

ASHLEY LAWRENCE

DENVER, CO, USA

1995

F

CALEDON, ON, CAN M 46 July/August 2014

NOTES Her mother was born in Yarmouth, NS while her step father was born in NGA. She grew up participating in swimming, soccer and dancing and enjoys reading, and hanging out with friends and family.

FOR COUNTRY She was 14 years old when she made her debut in the Canadian youth program in 2010 with coach Bryan Rosenfeld. She represented Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Trinidad and Tobago 2010 and won a silver medal at the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship in Guatemala (Canada qualified for Azerbaijan 2012). She also represented Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Azerbaijan 2012. She was 17 years old when she made her debut for Canada (12 January 2013).

NOTES Janine Elizabeth Beckie is from an athletic family.

Her mom and dad both play basketball, her brother Drew is a soccer player as well as her sister Alysha. Her father was born in Davidson,

SK while her mother was born in Regina, SK... she was three years old when her family first moved from Regina to Denver; the family returned to Canada from 2000-2002, then returned back to USA. She grew up participating in soccer, gymnastics, basketball and lacrosse and was four years old when she started playing soccer for Real Colorado.

JESSIE FLEMING 1998 LONDON, ON, CAN M NOTES Both of her parents were born in Toronto.

She grew up participating in soccer, hockey, track and cross-country running and was three years old when she started playing soccer for Nor’West Optimist SC. Enjoys sports and reading.

FOR COUNTRY She was 14 years old when she made her debut in the Canadian youth program in 2012 with coach David Benning. She won a silver medal with Canada at the 2013 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship in Montego Bay, JAM and was 15 years old when she made her debut for Canada on 15 December 2013. She also represented Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2014.

JORDANE CARVERY 1996 RICHMOND HILL, ON, CAN D NOTES Her father was born in Scarborough, ON while her mother was born in Kingston, JAM. She grew up playing soccer, basketball and hockey and was nine years old when she started playing soccer for Richmond Hill Raiders. She enjoys coaching and playing cards.

FOR COUNTRY She was 15 years old when she made her debut in the Canadian youth program in 2011 with coach Bryan Rosenfeld.

7 February/March 2012

KADEISHA BUCHANAN 1995 WHITBY, ON, CAN GK NOTES Her father was born in St. Thomas, JAM while her mother was born in Montego Bay, JAM. She grew up competing in soccer, basketball, flag football, volleyball and track and field. She was eight years old when she started playing soccer at Brams United SC. FOR COUNTRY She was 14 years old when she made her debut in the Canadian youth program in 2010 with coach David Benning. She won a silver medal at the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship in Guatemala (Canada qualified for Azerbaijan 2012) and represented Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Azerbaijan 2012. She was 17 years old when she made her debut for Canada (12 January 2013).

KAILEN SHERIDAN 1995 BRAMPTON, ON, CAN D NOTES Both of her parents were born in Scarborough, ON. She grew up competing in soccer, basketball, volleyball, swimming, triathlon and was five years old when she started playing soccer for Pickering SC. She enjoys watching movies and hanging out with friends and family. As a youth player in 2012, was noted by the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Technical Study Group (“available for back passes, throws the ball out well, good technique”).

FOR COUNTRY She was 15 years old when she made her debut in the Canadian youth program in 2010 with coach David Benning. Won a silver medal at the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship in Guatemala (Canada qualified for Azerbaijan 2012). She represented Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Azerbaijan 2012.

KINLEY MCNICOLL 1994 OAKVILLE, ON, CAN D 48 July/August 2014

NOTES Her father was born in Montreal while her mother was born in Edmonton. She grew up participating in cross country running, volleyball, track, and basketball. Enjoys running, traveling, camping and hanging out with friends and family.

FOR COUNTRY She was 15 years old when she made her debut in the Canadian youth program in 2010 with coach Bryan Rosenfeld. She won a gold medal at the 2010 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship in Costa Rica (Canada qualified for Trinidad and Tobago 2010) and represented Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Trinidad and Tobago 2010.

KYLIE DAVIS

horseback riding. She was four years old when she started playing soccer for Byron Optimist SC. Enjoys sport, hanging out with friends and family.

FOR COUNTRY She was 16 years old when she made her debut in the Canadian youth program in 2011 with coach Bryan Rosenfeld. She won a silver medal at the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship in Guatemala (Canada qualified for Azerbaijan 2012) and represented Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Azerbaijan 2012.

MARIE-JOËLLE VANDAL 1995

1994

LONGEUIL, QC, CAN

L’ILE-BIZARD, QC, CAN

GK

D NOTES Her parents were born in the Kitchener-Waterloo area and she speaks English and French. She was four years old when she started playing soccer in ïle-Bizard (les Phoques). She grew up participating in soccer, skating, hockey and swimming.

Enjoys baking, the outdoors and hanging out with family.

FOR COUNTRY She was 15 years old when she made her debut in the Canadian youth program in 2009 with coach Ian Bridge. She won a gold medal at the 2010 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship in Costa Rica (Canada qualified for Trinidad and Tobago 2010) and represented Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Trinidad and Tobago 2010. She won a silver medal with Canada at the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship in Panama (Canada qualified for Japan 2012) and represented Canada at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Japan 2012

LINDSAY AGNEW 1995 DUBLIN, OH, USA D NOTES Her father was born in Niagara Falls, ON while her mother was born in Montréal, QC. Lindsay was born in Kingston while her father served as coach of the Kingston Frontenacs (the team won its first-ever OHL division title that year). She grew up participating in basketball, track, cross country running, gymnastics, figure skating and

NOTES She grew up participating in soccer and was seven years old when she started playing soccer for CS Lavaltrie. She enjoys skiing, basketball and movies.

FOR COUNTRY She was 18 years old when she made her debut in the Canadian youth program in 2014 with coach Andrew Olivieri.

NICHELLE PRINCE 1995 AJAX, ON, CAN F NOTES Her father was born in Kingston, JAM while her mother was born in New Jersey, USA. She grew up competing in soccer and track/field and was four years old when she started playing house league soccer at Ajax SC. Enjoys reading, writing, and yoga. As a youth player in 2012, was noted by the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Technical Study Group (“strong, fast, powerful, good change of pace, effective use of ball when in space”)...

FOR COUNTRY She was 15 years old when she made her debut in the Canadian youth program in 2010 with coach David Benning. She won a silver medal at the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship in Guatemala (Canada qualified for Azerbaijan 2012) and represented Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Azerbaijan 2012. She was 17 years old when she made her debut for Canada (12 January 2013).

CUP MATCHES AUGUST 1, 2014 8:30PM KINGSTON CLIPPERS VS INTERNACIONAL DE TORONTO ST. LAWRENCE COLLEGE SOUTH-MAIN, KINGSTON AUGUST 7, 2014 8:30PM DURHAM FC VS KINGSTON CLIPPERS CIVIC STADIUM, OSHAWA AUGUST 11, 2014 9:00PM SIGMA FC VS WOODBRIDGE STRIKERS HERSHEY CENTRE, MISSISSAUGA AUGUST 24, 2014 9:00PM TORONTO FC ACADEMY VS INTERNACIONAL DE TORONTO KIA TRAINING GROUND, TORONTO SEPTEMBER 3, 2014 9:00PM MASTER'S FA SAINTS VS SIGMA FC ONTARIO SOCCER CENTRE TURF, VAUGHAN SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 8:30PM WINDSOR STARS VS SIGMA FC MCHUGH STADIUM, WINDSOR SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 8:30PM VAUGHAN AZZURRI VS MASTER'S FA SAINTS MCNAUGHTON TURF, MAPLE SEPTEMBER 27, 2014 9:00PM TORONTO FC ACADEMY VS KINGSTON CLIPPERS KIA TRAINING GROUND, TORONTO

9 February/March 2012

REBECCA QUINN 1995 TORONTO, ON, CAN D NOTES Her father was born in Toronto while her mother was born in Niagara-on-the-Lake. She grew up participating in soccer, hockey, basketball, and ski-racing. She was six years old when she started playing soccer at North Toronto and enjoys baking and biking.

FOR COUNTRY She was 14 years old when she made her debut in the Canadian youth program in 2010 with coach David Benning. She won a silver medal at the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship in Guatemala (Canada qualified for Azerbaijan 2012) and represented Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Azerbaijan 2012. She was 18 years old when she made her debut for Canada on 7 March 2014.

RYLEE FOSTER 1998 CAMBRIDGE, ON, CAN GK NOTES Both of her parents were born in Kitchener, ON, CAN. She was just a year old when her family moved from Kitchener to Cambridge, ON and grew up competing in soccer and gymnastics.

She was five years old when she started playing soccer for Cambridge Youth SA. Enjoys music, travel and reading.

FOR COUNTRY She was 15 years old when she made her debut in the Canadian youth program in 2013 with coach Bev Priestman. She won a silver medal with Canada at the 2013 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship in Montego Bay, JAM and represented Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2014.

SARAH KINZNER 1997 CALGARY, AB, CAN M 50 July/August 2014

NOTES Her father was born in Whitehorse, YT while her mother was born in Calgary, AB. She grew up participating in soccer, volleyball and basketball.

She was five years old when she started playing soccer for Deer Valley SC. Enjoys driving, baking and coins.

FOR COUNTRY She was 15 years old when she made her debut in the Canadian youth program in 2012 with coach David Benning. She won a silver medal with Canada at the 2013 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship in Montego Bay, JAM and represented Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2014.

SURA YEKKA 1997 MISSISSAUGA, ON, CAN D NOTES Her father was born in Obongi, UGA while her mother was born in Arua, UGA. While she was born at a hospital in Toronto, her family had just moved to neighbouring Mississauga a few months earlier. She grew up participating in soccer and athletics and was six years old when she started playing soccer for North Mississauga SC. FOR COUNTRY She was 15 years old when she made her debut in the Canadian youth program in 2012 with coach David Benning and was 16 years old when she made her debut for Canada (30 October 2013). She represented Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2014.

VALÉRIE SANDERSON 1995 DEUX-MONTAGNES, QC, CAN F NOTES Her father was born in Montréal, QC while her mother was born in Québec, QC. She grew up playing soccer and hockey. She was five years old when she started playing soccer at FC Boisbriand.

FOR COUNTRY She was 15 years old when she made her debut in the Canadian youth program in 2010 with coach David Benning. She won a silver medal at the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship in Guatemala (Canada qualified for Azerbaijan 2012) and represented Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Azerbaijan 2012.

VANESSA GRÉGOIRE 1996 POINTE CLAIRE, QC, CAN M NOTES Her father was born in Drummondville while her mother was born in Montréal. She grew up participating in soccer, swimming, skiing and snowboarding. She was five years old when she started playing soccer for Lakeshore.

FOR COUNTRY She was 16 years old when she made her debut in the Canadian youth program in 2013 with coach Andrew Olivieri.

VICTORIA PICKETT 1996 BARRIE, ON, CAN D NOTES Her father was born in Cebu City, PHI while her mother was born in Toronto, ON. While she was born at a hospital in Newmarket, her family was already living in neighbouring Aurora; she was then four years old when her family moved from Aurora to Barrie... she was also four years old when she started playing soccer for Barrie SC house league. She grew up participating in soccer, basketball, volleyball and hockey.

FOR COUNTRY She was 15 years old when she made her debut in the Canadian youth program in 2012 with coach Bryan Rosenfeld. She won a silver medal at the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship in Guatemala (Canada qualified for Azerbaijan 2012) and represented Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Azerbaijan 2012 (she did not feature).

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2013-12-05 11:30 AM