Mexico has advanced to the Oly's with a well deserved 2-1 win over Canada. Canada clearly missed having Boyd and Chapman's speed on the back line. Dominguez took advantage of Canada's lack of speed (Nonen excepted) to notch both for Mexico. Canada was trailing 1-0 at the half and 2-0 part way into the second half before really showing what they were capable of. The Canucks chances looked dismal after Dominguez's second goal as the Canucks were playing long balls into the wind without much success at gathering them up. Mexico on the other hand was having the advantage of field position and seemed ready to lock the door for good. Canada made a couple of substitutions. In came Morneau and Kara Lang who is still recovering from a knee injury. Out went veteran Neil (m) and newcomer Nault (d). The subs looked like the right idea as the game started to go Canada's way. Canada began to have the better of possession and field position and Mexico went into a bunker defense taking advantage of the wind to blast balls down field. In the 74'th minute Canada scored a goal only to have it called on a close offside call. Lots of play in Mexico's box almost paid off with a near miss just outside the post which would have been yet another Mexican own goal. Hooper had a chance from about 5 yards out but Molina was well positioned to pick it off. Finally 16 year old Aysha Jamani notched her 6'th goal of the tournament with a well placed dropping shot over Molina's reach from about 15 yards out to make score 2-1 in the 83'rd minute. Canada was winning an endless string of free kicks but had nothing to show for them. The play was all Canada in the dying minutes but the goal to tie the game eluded the Canucks and they just plain ran out of time. Canada has so much offensive talent, one might question Pellerud's choice of putting Hooper up front while natural goal scorers like Sinclair and Jamani were relegated to m/f duty. But had Canada lost this game with Hooper in the midfield, Pellerud would have come under even more criticism. She has come through so many times, especially in big games. The change that Kara Lang brought to the match was a big surprise. Her lack of game fitness showed in the preliminary matches but she was a dominant force against Mexico. Her attacks down the right side and ball control in Mexico's end brought new confidence to the Canadian team just when it looked like Mexico was going to run away with the game. Also 16 year old Aysha Jamani clearly showed why Pellerud is so impressed with her. Canada is a much stronger team with her on the pitch. This loss could spell the end of an Olympic dream for veterans like Andrea Neil, Charmaine Hooper and Isabelle Morneau. Neil especially is nearing the end of her career. Canada seemed much stronger with her off the pitch. Hooper was not a dominant force up front and may spend whatever is left of her career on defense. Morneau played well in this game so her future is not as clear. The game could have gone either way, but this was a good win for Mexico who came out stronger and held a surging Canadian team off in the last 30 minutes. The ref did a good job and was clearly neutral.
Mexico are much improved, excellent news. The more decent women's teams there are the better the sport will be.
Mexicans go to Olympics Yay Mexico! Who you think is the most attractive lady on the Mexican team? I like the goalie. What you think?
Mexico is Athens Bound!!!! Great play from la seleccion feminil!!! Awesome job!!! Lets's get some revenge and beat the US. Just like the guys did!!
Re: Re: Mexico is Athens Bound!!!! Yup. I live here and take jobs and whip Americans in soccer. Word. Go Mexico!!
i have no words right now. i don't think i will for like a few more days ... i've merged all the thread into this one. elaine
To the Moderator You play soccer? I would vote for you, but you dont play on the Mexico team. If you play for Canada, we can open up the discussion for all N.America teams excecpt US. Brandi Chastain and Mia Hamm get all the credit. And then Heather Mitts wins it on Page 2 for ESPN.com. If there was a Mexican ESPN, they would do this. But there is not. There is only Mexicanoe. So what do you say?
Which is more important, winning this crucial game or saving Pellerud from criticism? When is Pellerud going to stop experimenting with player positions and field formations, and show us his real team? Nothing is ever settled on that team. The players are considered to be interchangeable units who can be moved around to different postions at will. Is it any wonder they play like 11 individuals instead of a team? And you won't have to worry about what position Hooper is going to play for much longer. Don't be surprised if she announces her retirement from the team in the near future.
Re: Re: Canada - Mexico [R] I'm sure Pellerud made his decision based on what he thought would work the best, not what was the most defendable. I was just making a comment. I expect he will always be looking for ways to improve the team but he came closest to what he wanted in Algarve last year. Too bad those games weren't televised. Then the injury bug struck hard and Canada lost a lot of momentum. He's been juggling things around to try to make up for the defecit. If/when Boyd and Chapman return, Canada's defense s/b set. Midfield still need lots of work. More than enough choices at forward. Canada's strengths are team defense, creating scoring opportunities and finishing. Their weaknesses are retaining possession, passing and using their midfield in the attack. I thought they played much better as a team in the final 30+ minutes against Mexico, but their late start and unusual trouble finishing let them down. Hooper is nearing the end of a great career. She's not the dominant force she once was and I think she knows it. I wouldn't be surprised if she decides to call it a career and gets on with the rest of her life.
Re: Re: Canada - Mexico [R] I agree with your points Donzerly, well written. It will be a long time before this team ever get to be where they were. Right now they are shutdown for at least a year. At least anyone with injuries will have a whole year to recover. The rest will either get rusty or improve their game in College or University soccer in the US. Coach Pellerud will need to sell himself again if he plans to stay in Vancouver, Canada.
It was only a couple of years ago that everyone thought Canada will overtake America after they beat them 3-1. This is a serious blow. They, like the Men, have to make do with an understrength team. But at least Kara played well.
RE: I think part of the problem for the Canadians is Even pellerud. He definately took them to a new level. and that was good. Unfortunately he is a fan of the long ball. that style is highly outdated and archaic, and most teams worht their salt now know how to defend against it. And with the stiff winds they faced in Costa Rica, the long ball is very inaffective. Pellerud took them to a better place then they were. Now Canada needs a coach that came take them further. I have alot of respect for pellerud. he was great for Norway, and he was great for Canada. but; he does not seem to want to grow as a coach. he needs to give his team something more to work with, and he desprately needs to find a good playmaker out of the mid.
Hamm Star. I watched the Canada-Mexico game on tv live and then watched it again on tape. Canada had more possession and generally better field position in the first half. The second half was more of the same but not just a bit more. Canada dominated Mexico for 35+ minutes and a good portion of that was in Mexico's box. Canada had a hard time getting behind the last defenders and didn't finish as well as they have in the past. Also have to give Molina credit for a couple of excellent saves. Although Mexico gave up a lot of possession, they played strong team defense, attacked Canada primarily with long balls and finished on 2 of the few good opportunites they had. Dominguez played a brilliant game and was a threat on every long ball. Basically, Mexico executed Pellerud's style better than Canada did. When things go wrong, the first person to take the heat is the coach. Fair enough, but Canada hasn't played a single game at full strength since Algarve last year. Defense has been the biggest problem because Canada doesn't have replacement defenders with Boyd and Chapman's speed and international experience. Dominguez blew right by Canada's defense 3 or 4 times and she made Canada pay the price. Pellerud has stated on record that he's looking for more technical players to add to the roster. 16 year old Aysha Jamani was a terrific find but as you say Canada still needs a playmaker in the midfield. I think Pellerud would agree with you.
RE: ------------------------------------------------- CAFAN: Thanks for the info. i am of course only able to go by the match reports. nice to hear from someone who was actually able to see the match. I mentioned in another thread that Mexico is not that far out from being a very good and dangerous team. I already think in fact that they are dangerous. i also think they suffer from the same problem that Canada does. no real playmaker out of mid. I think once mexico finds that one player they will be a serious threat and enter into the top 6 or 7, dare I say maybe even 5. i already think they are as good if not better then Brasil. They definately have a good keeper and they do know how to score. Problem also is that maribel is pretty much it. they need to find someone for her to work with. I know every one talks about Iris Mora. But; I really think it would benifit mexico to find some height. As for Canada, Well goes without saying that they much like the U.S. are entering a rebuilding phase. i think that while the U.S. may find the next year or two bumpy, I think they will still be successful. I think for Canada the situation is a little more difficult. I think at this time, it is still quite a task to find players of international calibur to fill what is most likely to be numerous positions, and have the team chemistry not suffer as a result. I was mis-informed as I thought they had their injured players back. but; read after my post here that some where back but; still not 100% would you mind telling me who was not able to go for team Canada if anyone. and who was able but; was still in recovery?
df Chapman - still out, recovering from ACL df Boyd - still out, recovering from concussion df Dennis - suffered another concussion in game earlier in tournament, didn't play after that mf Timko - illness unknown (perhaps burnout or serious fatigue), played only 1/2 game earlier in tournament but wasn't effective fw Lang - recovering from knee injury sustained in WWC, used as a sub. About 65% to 75% fit.
------------------------------------------------- Thanks CAFAN That explains alot. Some bigtime players there unable to go. tough situation. What definately hurts Canada is they do not have a deep bench. But; when you concider where the program was just 3/4 years ago, it is a much improved side. It takes time to build a solid Sub program under the starter one. Canada did not really enjoy very much support by their federation up until 2000/2001. So the program just needs some time to improve.