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 Geplaatst: 10-07-2019 09:24:18 Onderwerp: n sports landscape. Canada has become |
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| These have been trying times for Canadian Mens soccer. A struggling national team, and likewise Canadian Major League Soccer franchises have tested the patience of the most ardent support of the game in this country. Tuesday night at our National Soccer Stadium in Toronto told a different story: attractive play, highlight reel goals and a winning experience. The Canadian men gave head coach Benito Floro a winning home debut in a 3-1 victory over CONCACAF rival Jamaica. It was all-around a fun night for the Canadian faithful. Baby steps and hints of progress. To say its been a rough two years for the Canadian Mens National Soccer team would be an understatement. The players, program and supporters all deserved a night as such. A 16-match winless streak dating back to the 8-1 World Cup qualifying humiliation to Honduras in San Pedro Sula in October 2012 has cast a cloud of negativity over our Mens Soccer program. A seemingly never-ending goalless streak, soul searching and an absolute loss in confidence in the players and leadership has made for an all-time difficult time for the program. A losing mentality can be contagious. But that negative demeanour was nowhere to be found at Canadian camp over the last week heading into Tuesdays win. There was passion, energy and excitement around the team getting back at it for a long-anticipated home date. It was the mens first home date in 2014, and just the third match on home soil in the last two years. The players are well aware of all the negative talk about the team, individually and as collective. They felt they had something to prove. The win wont take away the sting of 8-1 but sets the tone of where this group plans to go. Its time to move forward. The players can now do so with confidence and reasoned belief in their new manager. The move by the CSA to bring in Floro was a calculated one; a man of vast experience looking for a new opportunity. How the marriage would work out was up for great debate. Much work was to be done, and many questioned whether Floro would be up for it. The initial returns are showing steps in the right direction. His players are speaking of tactics and compartmentalization in approach: something entirely different than recent years when survival and keeping heads above the water always seemed the goal. The new coach won over the crowd by bringing on Canadian and local soccer legend Dwayne De Rosario, as well as defender Karl Ouimette, who lost his sister to cancer earlier this month, for second half appearances – an appropriate touch and show of understanding by the manager. As for game-play, Floro has a clear vision how he wants his team to play. From attacking perspective, the initial returns speak to improvement. Its about making the most out of what he has. Canada will not win through individual ability: it must be a team approach, top-down. The intelligence and purpose of the Canadian attack against Jamaica was something unlike we have seen out of the Mens program for quite sometime. Canada may not be blessed with the natural goal-scorers of yester-year, but the team has pace. The ability to attack down the wings and move off the ball accordingly was refreshing. Tosaint Ricketts led the line well and looks a much more active player than in the past. His goal came off a mistake from goalkeeper Andre Blake, but the Canadian striker put himself in position to finish. It was a standout performance from the Israel-based player. Ricketts goal was the clincher after Canada scored three unanswered en route to victory. The other two goals were of the highest quality. Patrice Berniers corner finding David Edgar on the top of the 18, who volleyed home for a spectacular goal, rivaling Terry Dunfields wonder-strike against Ecuador in 2011. Marcel de Jong scored the other on a picture perfect free kick. Top goals, no matter what league or side youre watching worldwide. Atia Hutchinson remains the pulse of the team, outstanding again Tuesday night. The Besiktas player is a step above, and can be argued he could start for any CONCACAF nation. Hutchinson stands of evidence this country can still produce players of such high quality and deserves any and all the praise he gets. The team with speed around him takes advantage of his poise, composure and overall gifted ability to read the game. Hutchinson remains the centerpiece, and with Julian de Guzman, Patrice Bernier and the absent Will Johnson around him, make for a formidable middle of the park. Perhaps the most pleasant surprise was the play of goalkeeper Milan Borjan. Multiple top saves and intervention helped keep Canada in a position to win on home soil. His positioning was sound and shot-blocking ability was equal to the task. The defensive line was shaky in front of him and will need work growing as a unit. Toronto FCs Doneil Henry played at right-back and provided size and strength on the outside. Henry needs more polish at the position but was an interesting look for a player used to playing centre-half. Borjan is without a club at present time. He, along with de Guzman and Adam Straith need club teams as soon as possible. It need not matter the inexperience in the Jamaican team or the lack of preparation time for the visitors. Its the result that matters. Its time to turn the corner from the negative narrative to developing something positive. That only comes through results. Belief in Benito and better days ahead for the program is paramount looking ahead to the Gold Cup and World Cup qualifying in the not-so-distant future. Its important for the Mens program to gain prominence on the Canadian sports landscape. Canada has become a leader in the womens game in terms of development and fan support. The success of the womens game has been a boon for the Canadian Soccer Association. But the Mens program on a global scale will always be the primary, long-term moneymaker and the barometer by which a countrys soccer success will be judged. It was unfortunate young boys club teams didnt flock out Tuesday night as girls club teams do for the womens program. It all comes from perception. When the perception of the mens program turns to one of success, we can expect similar fandom to follow. So some headlines the night before tickets went on sale for the 2015 FIFA Womens World Cup is well-taken by the CSA and the Canadian soccer community. Its a big year for Canadian soccer and there is no reason the Mens team cant be part of the headlines. The goal is all programs finding on and off-field success. Progress should be embraced as it comes. Tuesday was just that. More baby steps. 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The MMA legend immediately hit the mat, clutching his leg and screaming out in agony as a stunned audience groaned in unison. Following the bout Silva began the slow road back to fighting shape. Though hes overcome both the physical and mental hurdles that stem from rehabbing a serious injury, he has little interest in reliving the moment. During a recent media conference call, Silva said the incident is simply old news. This is the point in my life where (I no longer talk about it), because my legs good now, Silva bluntly stated. Im training hard now and everything is new (again). (I dont talk about it) because its in the past. Sorry. Its not difficult to talk about, but this is the past. Its clear Silvas focus is locked on the immediate future. The former middleweight titleholder steps into the octagon for the first time since the injury when he meets returning Nick Diaz in the headliner of UFC 183 in Vegas on Sat., Jan. 31. The bout marks Diazs first since dropping a unanimous decision to then-welterweight kingpin Georges St-Pierre in Montreal almost two years ago. UFC 183 will also feature a pair of pivotal welterweight fights, as Tyron Woodley battles unbeaten Kelvin Gastelum and Canadian Jordan Mein faces Thiago Alves. The main card of UFC 183 will be available Saturday, January 31st on pay-per-view, with the prelims airing on TSN4 at 8pm et/5pm pt. For Silva, the clash with Diaz represents the final step to putting the injury completely behind him. Not only would a strong performance answer any lingering questions about his leg, it could also earn him shot at the middleweight championship. During the lead up to the fight, UFC president Dana White has stated a victory for Silva will net him an opportunity at the winner of next months title fight between Weidmann and Vitor Belfort.dddddddddddd However, Silva isnt worried about the stakes. The Brazilian said it would be foolish to look past Diaz. I work for the UFC, so I am a part of the UFC family, Silva said. So if Dana decides (Im going to fight for the title), Ill go prepare for the fight. This isnt a good question for me. This is a good question for Dana. My focus for now is the fight with Nick. When I finish the fight with Nick and Ive won, Ill go prepare for the next level. But now, Im starting my career in the UFC. This is my first fight in the UFC, in my mind. Of course, should he get the job done and then go on to reclaim the middleweight strap, Silva would be on a collision course with training partners and top contenders Lyoto Machida and Jacare Souza. Though Silva has long maintained he will not fight his friends, Machida and Souza recently stated they would entertain the idea if it meant a crack at the championship. Silva said he is disappointed by both fighters remarks. Jacare is my friend and Lyoto is my friend, Silva began. (But) these guys dont talk the same about me. When I go to talk with the media, I say, I wont go fight Lyoto because hes my friend. I wont go fight Jacare because hes my friend. But when they go talk with the media … Lyoto says, Ill go fight Anderson because (its my job to) fight. Jacare says, (I will fight him) because Im a fighter. My opinion is that I dont like the positions of Lyoto and Jacare. Im not going to go fight these guys because I train (with them). When I go to train with guys its because I go to help you. So when guys talk like this, Im very disappointed. I understand this is a sport and these guys are in the UFC to fight, but I dont like to fight Brazilians. If Silva has little interest in dwelling on the past, he most certainly isnt keen on discussing a hypothetical future where hes forced to fight his training partners. Silva said hes simply excited to step back into the cage and deliver yet another entertaining performance. Im very happy to be back because I didnt fight for one year, Silva said. Now, Im very excited this is my legacy and my dream. The new Anderson is (here). I have more experience, technique, speed and strength. Nick hasnt fought for a long time and I havent fought for one year. When Nick and I fight, we will put on the best show for the UFC. Thats it. Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Cheap NBA Jerseys Wholesale NHL Jerseys Wholesale MLB Jerseys Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Wholesale NCAA Jerseys Wholesale Football Jerseys Wholesale Basketball Jerseys Wholesale Baseball Jerseys ' ' ' |
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