Canada set to name Carolina Morace as WNT head coach

Discussion in 'Women's International' started by VPjr, Feb 4, 2009.

  1. VPjr

    VPjr New Member

    Jan 14, 2007
    Mississauga
    According to the Footy Show blog, the Canadian Soccer Association is set to name former Italian NT head coach Carolina Morace as their new head coach.

    http://my.thescore.com/footyblog/archive/2009/02/04/8034.aspx


    This signals a major change in the way Canada's women will play compared to the "bomb and chase" style that was practiced by former coach Evan Pellerud.

    As someone who rarely has much positive to say about the CSA, I congratulate them on what I think is a bold but smart choice.
     
  2. bythesea

    bythesea Member

    May 27, 2005
    It's taken so long I was beginning to wonder. Don't know much about Morace but it seems like an exciting new direction for the program.

    By the way, there was speculation that she would bring Italians in as assistants and coaches for the youth teams except that an ex-player was being groomed for the U-17 position. Any idea who that is?
     
  3. VPjr

    VPjr New Member

    Jan 14, 2007
    Mississauga
    I have some ideas who she is bringing in from Italy, which domestic coaches she is going to add to her staff and which ex-player she will be grooming. I expect all will be present tomorrow and hopefully she will name them at the press conference.
     
  4. Fitzgerald#11

    Fitzgerald#11 Member

    May 23, 2007
    Calgary
    good to see their planning a camp right away
     
  5. Chiqui Arce

    Chiqui Arce New Member

    Sep 17, 2008
    well.... I'll start off by saying that we're still stuck with the same old CSA ...
    ... so the more things change, the more they will stay the same....

    That said, I’m delighted to see EP go!

    But,

    When Pellerud was hired, he was a good hire by the CSA. He was 1 of 3 (now 5) coaches to have won the women's world cup. He was also the runner up coach in 1991.

    Andrea Neal is the ex player turning coach. As a result of her National team involvement, she is fast tracked to a CSA B license. Those in the know, know that a CSA B isn’t worth the paper its printed on. No offense to Andrea Neal, she was a decent player and it’s great to see her remaining in the game and more importantly, coaching.

    Does she deserve being parachuted into the u17s?
    I’d say no – there’s plenty of club coaches who have had lots of success in the National Club championships – ie the Painters (Jeff & Martin) from London On????

    Morace might be a good hire.

    but,

    Problem is she's still dealing with the CSA.
    No offence to our players, but with the CSA, Morace's going to try and make chicken salad with chicken s!!t.

    And there's no Kerfoot money; but I hear there's 3rd party money from Morace backers! So there will still be external strings attached to the women's program.

    Great to see that Kelly Parker has been included. Hopefully it won't be long before we see Amanda Cicchini, Aysha Jamani, and perhaps even Christine Latham brought back into the fold.

    Regardless, a change was overdue.

    Here's to looking forward.

     
  6. bythesea

    bythesea Member

    May 27, 2005
    I wonder if Jamani is interested in pursuing soccer post-college. She doesn't play W-League. Maybe it's not that high a priority compared to school and career. I certainly think Latham and Nonen should be back.
     
  7. CAFAN

    CAFAN Member

    May 30, 2003

    Morace might be a good hire, but the proof will be in the pudding. The CSA is no better nor worse than what Pellerud had to deal with - so no excuses. It's interesting that Pellerud's record with Canada at the Olys and WWC is better than all the Italian coaches combined record with Italy (including Morace's underwhelming results). Something the hypesters don't bring up. The money angle is something I haven't heard before. If it's real and substantial it might come in handy when money from the Feds tightens up.

    I had high hopes for Jamani, but she didn't exactly set the NCAA's on fire, so I'm not sure she's national team material. As for Latham and Nonen - they have some burned bridges to sort out with the CWNT players (including Sinclair), so we'll see.
     
  8. CAFAN

    CAFAN Member

    May 30, 2003
    Time will tell whether this was a smart decision or not, but at this point Canada is clearly headed in the wrong direction. After the 4-0 drubbing by the USA in front a home crowd, Pellerud must be laughing his head off. Morace was quoted as saying the score wasn't indicative of the play - she's right on that point, it could have been much worse.

    Canada's last match against the USA was a 1-0 loss in double overtime in the Olympics - a very strong showing by any reasonable measure against the eventual Gold medallist. Their last home game against the USA was a 2-2 draw in 2001. Fast-forward to the 'new era' and Morace drops a 4-0 stinker in which Canada looked like a poorly coached club team with no idea of what they were doing. The beauty of this is that it was at home (Toronto no less - the center of Canada's witless CSA aristocracy) and the pay-by-play was done by none other than Craig Forrest.

    The only real measure of the game is the scoreboard. Showing a complete disdain for petty politics, the scoreboard didn't care that Morace was woman or that Canada made X% more pass attempts than under the former coach or that Canada avoided long 'bombs'. In the end, Canada stunk and the scoreboard reflected that fact quite clearly.

    Morace did prove one thing though - Pellerud had nothing to do with Canada's lousy passing. It’s just as bad under Morace (maybe worse) - now it's done in the defensive zone as well - making Canada a sitting duck for loss of possession deep in their own end. It was funny hearing Craig whine about Canada's play after all the moaning he's done about Canada’s play under Pellerud. The only difference is that now he's blaming the poor passing on the players and not the coach. Evidently, Craig has no problem exposing his hypocrisy on National TV.

    One game doesn't make a career, but under Morace Canada has obviously taken a couple of big steps backwards at this point. This thing is either going to go one way or the other. Morace will either build a good possession oriented team and take Canada beyond Pellerud's high water mark or the CWNT will slowly fade away to join the men in obscurity. Since Morace has never coached a team to even qualify for a major tournament, the latter scenario looms as a distinct possibility.
     
  9. TittleTums

    TittleTums Member

    Feb 23, 2009
    Club:
    West Ham United FC
    I completely disagree, there are some positives to take out of the game. One is that they tired to play a possession game, they just are not good enough to do it, let alone against the best team in the world. Morace can't be expected to make her team World Cup contenders over night, this is going to take time.....lots of it. Monday night was a step in the right direction.
     
  10. CAFAN

    CAFAN Member

    May 30, 2003
    I don't see a 4-0 whipping as a step in the right direction but you are entitled to your opinion. Just passing the ball around (even if the passing improves) won't cut it - the results will have to be on the scoreboard, against top-level competition and in major tournaments. As for taking lots of time, the fans, the media and the players will only have so much patience - then Morace will either have to deliver or move on.
     
  11. TittleTums

    TittleTums Member

    Feb 23, 2009
    Club:
    West Ham United FC
    The problem with the team is talent, with the exception of Sinclair, who on the team has any tactical ability? This problem is not going to resolved overnight. You and I could have coached the American team on Monday and the result would not have been any different.

    I think Monday highlighted the fact that this team has many players who aren't good enough to play a possession game, which is where the women's game is right now. In order to take the next step, Canada must play that style, which Morace is doing. It's not like Pellerud style brought any true international success. Morace and her staff have the arduous task of finding players and developing our current players to play an effective game. All I'm saying is that is not a three month process, this is going to a couple years.

    Hopefully there will be some major player turnover, because of our "vets" just aren't good enough to play a possession game.
     
  12. CAFAN

    CAFAN Member

    May 30, 2003
    I understand your points and also the new direction that Morace wants to take with the team - which is to join the 'herd' and play possession style soccer. It might work out, but if so, Canada is going to have to be better than the current powerhouses at their own game. I disagree with your point about Pellerud's success. I wouldn't call a 4'th place in the World Cup and a 1/4 final berth in the Olympics 'no true success'. In fact, Pellerud's record is the only bright spot in Canada's entire soccer history (i.e. at the World Cup or Olympic level), men or women. Outside of Pellerud's results, Canada's performances have been so poor it's pathetic - no wins and no advances out of group play, period.

    As for Canada's lack of possession-oriented skills, well we'll see what happens over the next year or so. The CWNT has never been capable of playing a possession style at the speed required in the international game - ever. I think that point was never so apparent as in Canada's pitiful performance against the USA. Canada was so bad, I seriously doubt the CWNT would have won a single game in the previous WWC or Olympics playing the way they did. Pellerud accomplished what he did by playing a style and using tactics that suited Canada's strengths. Morace is going in the other direction. If she had a history of international success (which she doesn't) I'd be more optimistic about her chances.
     
  13. turbo11

    turbo11 New Member

    Sep 3, 2003
    I don't know where you want to go with this. You are showing a lack of international soccer knowledge. Pellerud had 8 years to improve the team from the outdated kick and run style that was popular in the enfancy of women football in the 90s. But he prefered to stick to what he knew and be lazy and do the same old thing for 8 years. Even the players knew that he could not teach them anything new, they had to do what he said or get off the team.
    Now that Canada has some real coaches and want to make progress and play a better football. Now that the best players in the world are coming to North America in WPS . Now that young players will learn the fundamentals, the proper skills and tactics of football, you would like to bring back the kick and run and Pellerud. Be serious. The dinausors are extincted. Wake-up! it's 2009

    We should be glad that we can play the best team in the world (USA) often and learn from them.
    We are the one that will get better not them. We are not yet in the top teams in the world.
    We have been on a steady decline in women's football since 2003. We just did'nt know it yet. Before 2003 only a handfull of teams played football seriously. Now more near 30 nations could beat Canada or the top teams anyday.

    You have to get up and walk before you can run. Yes, it is better to loose those game now and learn because what is important is the time you have to get ready for: CONCACAF- World Cup- Gold Cup- Olympics and other International tournaments. That is the measuring stick by what the coaches are judge.
     
  14. debzy

    debzy Member+

    May 26, 2009
    paris
    Club:
    Paris Saint Germain FC
    Nat'l Team:
    France
    carolina morace was a great player, probably the best italian soccer player....but some friends of mine who play in italy national team , talking bad about her it sems like she is not a good coach...at least is what her ex players are saying.
     
  15. hasselhoff

    hasselhoff Member

    Mar 22, 2005
    It doesn't really matter what style you play if you hire a coach who isn't up to the job. Morace's track record is underwhelming.

    I'm American and a USWNT fan, but I root for Canada anytime they're not playing the USA. I really hope they at least maintain the level of success they've had these last several years. I don't know how any Canadian fan can claim that Pellerud isn't the most successful Canadian coach to date. You really have to be deliberately stubborn to deny their improvement, no matter what of you think of their "style".
    The game is definitely getting bigger, but you exaggerate. There might be ten teams that could beat the USA, Brazil, or Germany on occasion and another five or so that could beat them once every decade. The drop off after that is massive. If there were that many good teams, FIFA would have expanded the field for the WWC.
     
  16. TittleTums

    TittleTums Member

    Feb 23, 2009
    Club:
    West Ham United FC
    Canada was never going to win with the outdated style that Pellerud implemented. Sure we achieved better results, but once again, since 2003, what has the team achieved? Not only did he overstay his welcome, but the talent level of the team decline. More skilled players were being cut from all ranks and his national was an exclusive club.

    Who knows how good of a coach Morace is, I think her track record speaks very liltte, because she was coaching a very, very poor Italian team. I always had the impression that she was fairly well respected by Italian soccer officials. But I like some of the changes that are already evident and we need to give her chance.
     
  17. CAFAN

    CAFAN Member

    May 30, 2003
    I definitely do not lack international soccer knowledge, but I think you do. First of all, the direct style was not popular in the 90's. There were only a couple of teams that played that style. Second, you had better check your facts. Canada has definitely not been in a steady decline since 2003 - at least not under Pellerud. If you really want to see a team in major decline, look no further than China - one of the most possession oriented teams in the world. Third, there are not even remotely close to 30 teams that could beat the top team (the USA) any day, but I'd like to see you name 30 just for a laugh. Fourth, there is no evidence today of any change at the grass roots level in Canada, which is where young players learn their soccer skills. It's no secret that broad-based changes take much, much longer to implement than changes at the WNT level - so don't hold your breath. Fifth, Morace has never achieved anything of importance in the international game - she hasn't even qualified a team to play in the WWC or the Olympics. There is certainly no evidence that she is a 'real coach'. For all anyone knows right now, she may never achieve any more with Canada than she did with Italy - which was nothing. It will take a heck of a lot more than a desire to play 'possession' soccer to achieve more than Pellerud did in the WWC and Olypmics. I think this fact will become painfully obvious to Canadian soccer fans over the next few years.
     
  18. turbo11

    turbo11 New Member

    Sep 3, 2003
    Thanks God you are not in charge, you would bring back Pellerud or any kick and run type coaches if it was up to you.
     
  19. olafgb

    olafgb New Member

    Jun 6, 2001
    Germany
    Canada surely doesn't have comparable talent to the really big nations in women's soccer but still it's a good team that can cause some major upsets on good days. Regarding the strategy: you can only play the style your players are able to play. If you say that they have lacking tactical knowledge you can only play a simple system. The NT coach cannot teach senior national team players the basics of the game, they have to be learned on youth level, junior NTs and in college at the latest. And for sure when you are meeting Canada the first thing that comes to your mind is "that's gonna be tough work against physically strong players" - that is what you have to bring in, your strenghts.

    That being said I was astonished about the Morace move as well. I cannot evaluate her to say if she is a good or a bad coach but at least it is a darn risky move. She was a good player but she never really proved herself as a coach somewhere and then you sign her away from her home nation for a big job like the Canadian NT?!? I like the Canadian team, so good luck to them but you can only pray that this move pays off.
     
  20. usa3por2ft

    usa3por2ft Member

    Oct 15, 2002
    in exile
    Club:
    Millwall FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Facts, indeed.

    This would be the China that topped Canada's group in the Olympic games, right? You know, the group in which Canada placed third. So, let's see. Canada was a World Ciup semifinalist in 2003, which they achieved by beating China in the quarterfinal stage. In 2008, Canada finished two places adrift of China in their group. Hence, China are the team in major decline, while Canada are thriving and climbing. Right-o.

    Let's try on this fact. After 2003, Canada won only two matches in a World Cup or Olympics under Pellerud, and those were against Ghana and Argentina. And the victory against Argentina was a near run thing.

    Pellerud had the good fortune to be the coach for one of perhaps half a dozen countries that made a full commitment to their national women's side. The Canadian federation had a right to expect more than they got from that.

    This clearly comes as news to you, but qualifying for a European Championship -- twice, no less -- is not nothing. You also don't seem to have grasped that, in UEFA, qualifying for the Olympics is not independent of qualifying for the Women's World Cup. Qualifying her side for major championship finals two times out of three, despite indifferent support from the Italian football association, is a significant achievement.
     
  21. law10

    law10 Member+

    Dec 26, 2007
    The first part of your post is competely accurate, the second is completely in error.

    Before Morace arrived, Italy was a very strong European nation in women's football:

    1993 EURO - lost 1-0 in FINAL
    1995 EURO - quarter-final loss to Norway
    1997 EURO - lost 2-0 in FINAL

    {4yr Euro now}

    --- Morace is hired ---

    2001 EURO - group elimination. Italy only arrive in the final group after winning a qualifying playoff.
    2005 EURO - group elimination. Italy only arrive in the final group after winning a qualifying playoff. Italy fail to win a game in group.

    --- Morace is fired ---
     
  22. kool-aide

    kool-aide Member+

    Feb 1, 2002
    a van by the river
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Of course, it might be that Italy missed Morace the player more than they benefited from Morace the coach. She was a very integral part of Italian teams in the 1990s. I believe I read some where that the number of women playing in Italy declined over that same period, too.

    Not that I agree or disagree with her hiring. If nothing else, with the dramatic switch in overall team tactics and philosophy it will take a while for Canadian players to adjust.
     
  23. Mosan

    Mosan Member

    Apr 29, 2009
    Munich
    Club:
    Borussia Dortmund
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    The decline of female Italian soccer has its roots in the lack of support and structure (though still better than most southern/roman catholic countries). Other European nations stepped up and no coach could have compensated against that trend ... unless we are talking of Hope Powell style feat of strength (to empower a whole FA).

    Canada is among those countries which will benefit the most of WPS (next to Brazil imo). Your players will have a fair chance to develope under the competition of faster & more technical soccer of the WPS. While Morace and her coaching approach might not guarrantee success there is no way back to football anachronism. Adopting certain types of the game doesn`t mean Canada`s WNT has to neglect its core strengths. Staying idle will cost you longterm. So appreciate the fresh breeze that is Morace. ;)
     

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