Canada Opens Some Eyes In The Gold Cup

I saw a post on the Nova Scotia Soccer League web site commenting on Canada's performance at the recent Gold Cup soccer tournament after their somewhat controversial loss to the USA in the semi-final. Despite any controversy, the team showed that the program is finally beginning to make some progress and young players are beginning to see that the men's and women's programs are developing. Here is what the NSSL site had posted

" Forget the final official score. Canada's Men's National team and the game of soccer in Canada were the big winners in Thursday night's Gold Cup semi-final between the USA and Canada.

Those of us who were able to follow the contest live on the Gol Soccer Channel (Channel 117 EastLink Television) were treated to an excellent display of how Steve Hart wants Canadians to play the game - intelligent, ball control, sound defence, and crisp, controlled passing.

Canada did that throughout this game and indeed throughout their entire run at this year's Gold Cup. Against the 16th ranked Americans, Canada controlled the game for long periods of time and had the Americans in trouble for much of the game following a five minute shaky start.

To say we, as soccer enthusiasts in Canada, could take something positive away from this game is a gross understatement. We found out that we can really play this game and play it consistently well.

Our young players finally have Canadian stars they can identify with, the de Guzmans, the Humes, the Jazics and throughout the roster many others who carried themselves with skill, dignity and pride. Add to this the fabulous effort by Coach Hart, and all levels of the game have something to attach themselves to.

We have seen this development on the Women's side with the Sinclairs, Timkos, the Laings, and all the others we have come to know so well.

Now they have been joined on the world stage by the National Men's team (which has climbed nearly 40 spaces in FIFA Rankings during this 2 week period) and with the much anticipated challenge by the young Canadian side in this years U-20 World Cup, we fully believe the 'Beautiful Game' is finally taking root in Canada.

When one throws in the phenomena developing around the MLS Toronto FC, soccer enthusiasts in Nova Scotia from mini to the EastLink Premiership have plenty to aspire to and together we will use this as a springboard to continue our collective efforts to 'grow the game'.

NSSL Administration"