Jan. 18th?

[Chris_Bailey]

A Lesson of How To Respond

Good:

Originally posted by Gordon
I believe that most of our UK based players will not be available. Consequently, there will not likely be more than 6-7 A team players present even if Holger wants to bring his strongest team. We won't know until the roster is announced. It won't be the full national team by any stretch and definitely will not feature radzinski.

Bad:

Originally posted by CanuckFan2
Scrubs from Calgary kicked your U20s ass twice this year. The future is ours.


So we can probably expect a mix of 1/2 A-leaguers 1/2 Canadian team players? College players?

[Chowderhead]

Whichever players show up for Canada will be highly motivated. Maybe too motivated, pero bueno. But Canada will at the very least be technically sound and probably not easily muscled.

A US win is likely. However, this Canada team could frustrate and poach a win.

Then again, Mathis, Donovan, Beasley and Twellman could go off. But I find that unlikely because I've seen some decent organization and commitment from Canadian teams lately.

Pope will add the organization and shape that was missing for a while in the El Sal game. At least I hope so.

One way or another, Canada is close to truly reemerging as something to be dealt with.

I'll say, even now, 2-0 to the States. But something tells me that this Canada team will end up fielding a few more vets than was originally thought.

[TopDogg]

Originally posted by Chowderhead
Whichever players show up for Canada will be highly motivated. Maybe too motivated, pero bueno. But Canada will at the very least be technically sound and probably not easily muscled.

A US win is likely. However, this Canada team could frustrate and poach a win.

Then again, Mathis, Donovan, Beasley and Twellman could go off. But I find that unlikely because I've seen some decent organization and commitment from Canadian teams lately.

Pope will add the organization and shape that was missing for a while in the El Sal game. At least I hope so.

One way or another, Canada is close to truly reemerging as something to be dealt with.

I'll say, even now, 2-0 to the States. But something tells me that this Canada team will end up fielding a few more vets than was originally thought.
I agree with just about everything you've said.

Canada will field a young team mixed with a couple of veterens that will keep the game close, although I do think that the MLS-based US team will be better prepared, especially considering that WC vets such as McBride, Donovan, Beasley, Pope and Mathis will be there.

If I were to guess, I'd say that the only regulars we'd see in the Canadian lineup would be guys like Stalteri, DeGuzman, Nsaliwa, McKenna and Xausa.

[Captain Canuck]

Originally posted by Chris_Bailey
[b]



So we can probably expect a mix of 1/2 A-leaguers 1/2 Canadian team players? College players?

No. At least I'm not expecting that. I would expect 1 or 2 A-league players, perhaps 3 at the most, with no college players. We have enough European-based players nowadays that don't have a club date on the 18th that I expect the roster to be filled up mainly with those players. The difficulty is not knowing how many of the players who are on their Xmas break will want to play soccer during their break. If many of them want to enjoy their break by not playing soccer you will probably see more U23 players that are based in North America.

[Chris_Bailey]

Originally posted by Captain Canuck
No. At least I'm not expecting that. I would expect 1 or 2 A-league players, perhaps 3 at the most, with no college players. We have enough European-based players nowadays that don't have a club date on the 18th that I expect the roster to be filled up mainly with those players. The difficulty is not knowing how many of the players who are on their Xmas break will want to play soccer during their break. If many of them want to enjoy their break by not playing soccer you will probably see more U23 players that are based in North America.

Makes sense to me, most of those U23's play where? MLS?

[Captain Canuck]

Originally posted by Chris_Bailey
Makes sense to me, most of those U23's play where? MLS?

Many of the U23's are in Europe, but the North American-based ones I was referring to are based in US Colleges or the A-league. I think Canada is at an all-time MLS-low with just De Rosario in the entire league.

[Krammerhead]

What with the MLS being bigoted against Canadians.

PS. Spengler Cup rules.

[Captain Canuck]

Originally posted by Krammerhead
What with the MLS being bigoted against Canadians.

PS. Spengler Cup rules.

To each their own. :)

I'll take that as proof that you are at least still reading the V-board. :)

[Krammerhead]

Originally posted by Captain Canuck
To each their own. :)

I'll take that as proof that you are at least still reading the V-board. :)

Sometimes I just can't help it.

Even if at times it makes my blood boil!

[Crazy_Yank]

Originally posted by Krammerhead
What with the MLS being bigoted against Canadians.

PS. Spengler Cup rules.


There isn't any bias against Canadians. If a player is good enough he'll play. Canadians count as foreigners. To play in MLS as a foreigner a player has to be significantly better than the local players. Any Canadian who is that good will go to Europe.

P.S.

Sorry for diggin up an old thread, but I'm working an 11pm-7am shift right now *sighs*

[Krammerhead]

Originally posted by Crazy_Yank
There isn't any bias against Canadians. If a player is good enough he'll play. Canadians count as foreigners. To play in MLS as a foreigner a player has to be significantly better than the local players. Any Canadian who is that good will go to Europe.

P.S.

Sorry for diggin up an old thread, but I'm working an 11pm-7am shift right now *sighs*

Thats really what I meant. Canadians have no drawing power for the American soccer public, so they have to be that much better than the other foreigners to be considered.

[kevbrunton]

Originally posted by Krammerhead
4-0 USA.

You guys revived this thread and I hadn't read it before.

The above post was made by Krammerhead on Dec 27.

What's your crystal ball say about the next one on the 8th? I've got some money burning a hole in my pocket. I may just have to call a bookie ;).

[Krammerhead]

Originally posted by kevbrunton
You guys revived this thread and I hadn't read it before.

The above post was made by Krammerhead on Dec 27.

What's your crystal ball say about the next one on the 8th? I've got some money burning a hole in my pocket. I may just have to call a bookie ;).

Sorry, I can only predict Canadian losses!