rivers
11 Feb 2004, 06:29 PM
Canada needs to do a lot of things to start winning games, and become a force in CONCACAF, but i think the easiest thing to do, is create a true home field advantage for ourselves, just like every other country in the world does.
Canada is probably one of the easiest environments for visiting teams. This should change. Look around the world, you got fans throwing piss filled ballons at the visitors, fans throwing firecrackers at the keepers, security guards pushing the players around, bus drivers taking the players to the stadium the LONG way etc. etc.
Some of this is extreme, but Canada should try to make the other team intimidated, or somewhat uncomfortable.
In 2000, I went to the WCQ in Edmonton, and Canada was not allowed to train on the pitch during the few days before the match, but the opponent (T&T) were allowed! That is a farce, and only could happen in Canada. Pathetic.
It may not go along with Canadian beliefs and values, it may not be ethical, but in soccer, anything goes, as we have seen around the world.
I suggest a new stadium, not a big expensive one in Toronto like proposed, but a rather small one, with NO TRACK. The fans should be right beside the pitch. This is critical. Around 15 000 seats should be enough. Location is tough, because you want it central in Canada, in a city, but not near a big international population, no away fans, therefore Toronto is a bad spot, or Hong-ouver.
A cold climate would be great, like Yukon, but Yukon is not accessible for our fans. Maybe Winnipeg or Calgary would be good.
We definitely need some sort of official fan club, one that would stand and chant and scream at the opponents, much like Sam's Army in the States.
We need the fans to get excited, to actually care. I've been to games around the world, and no country has fans even close to as dull as us.
Finally, start treating the visitors like oppnents, not valued guests. Make the team bus take 1 hour on match day to make a 5 minute drive, force them to sit at the airport because of "mechanical problems" , "Lose" their luggage, "Lose" their practice balls for a half hour before the game, put them up in the motel not the Shearaton, just do something to put them off the game. Every other country in the world does this, some more than others, so why shouldn't Canada?
Home field is a big advantage, it even got Korea 4th in the world cup! We really need to use it to our advantage, right now there is no advantage, if anything, the visitors have it.
Canada is probably one of the easiest environments for visiting teams. This should change. Look around the world, you got fans throwing piss filled ballons at the visitors, fans throwing firecrackers at the keepers, security guards pushing the players around, bus drivers taking the players to the stadium the LONG way etc. etc.
Some of this is extreme, but Canada should try to make the other team intimidated, or somewhat uncomfortable.
In 2000, I went to the WCQ in Edmonton, and Canada was not allowed to train on the pitch during the few days before the match, but the opponent (T&T) were allowed! That is a farce, and only could happen in Canada. Pathetic.
It may not go along with Canadian beliefs and values, it may not be ethical, but in soccer, anything goes, as we have seen around the world.
I suggest a new stadium, not a big expensive one in Toronto like proposed, but a rather small one, with NO TRACK. The fans should be right beside the pitch. This is critical. Around 15 000 seats should be enough. Location is tough, because you want it central in Canada, in a city, but not near a big international population, no away fans, therefore Toronto is a bad spot, or Hong-ouver.
A cold climate would be great, like Yukon, but Yukon is not accessible for our fans. Maybe Winnipeg or Calgary would be good.
We definitely need some sort of official fan club, one that would stand and chant and scream at the opponents, much like Sam's Army in the States.
We need the fans to get excited, to actually care. I've been to games around the world, and no country has fans even close to as dull as us.
Finally, start treating the visitors like oppnents, not valued guests. Make the team bus take 1 hour on match day to make a 5 minute drive, force them to sit at the airport because of "mechanical problems" , "Lose" their luggage, "Lose" their practice balls for a half hour before the game, put them up in the motel not the Shearaton, just do something to put them off the game. Every other country in the world does this, some more than others, so why shouldn't Canada?
Home field is a big advantage, it even got Korea 4th in the world cup! We really need to use it to our advantage, right now there is no advantage, if anything, the visitors have it.