Soccer in the Commonwealth Games?

[DoyleG]

Would it be great if they could add soccer to the Commonwealth Games?

The tournament would like be made up of U-21 teams.

The soonest it could start would be 2010. I belvie it would be late to add it for 2006 in Melbourne.

[skipshady]

It wouldn't be a bad idea, except as someone mentioned before the BigSoccer Wipeout, the Games coincides with the beginning of the season and clubs will be unwilling to release their players, especially right after the World Cup.
Remember that most top U-21 players play at the senior level with their clubs.

Plus, other than the Home Nations and to a lesser extent Australia, no other Commonwealth nation can really be considered even a contender in soccer.

[DoyleG]

Originally posted by skipshady
It wouldn't be a bad idea, except as someone mentioned before the BigSoccer Wipeout, the Games coincides with the beginning of the season and clubs will be unwilling to release their players, especially right after the World Cup.
Remember that most top U-21 players play at the senior level with their clubs.

That tends to be very rare. Most 18 and 19 year olds don't play at the top level. Only in rare circumstances.

Originally posted by skipshady
Plus, other than the Home Nations and to a lesser extent Australia, no other Commonwealth nation can really be considered even a contender in soccer.

Let's look at the possible teams:

CONCACAF
Canada & Jamacia

UEFA
The Home Nations

CAF
Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon, Ghana

Asia/Ocieana
Australia, New Zealand, Malyasia, Singapore

[scottyD Man Utd redded]

yep. bring them. someone write it to the commonwealth games organisers and ask.