Toronto FC: TFC 2024 Season \ Canada Soccer: MLS Refocus
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Jimmy Firecracker
Backcheck, Forecheck, Paycheque.
Heartbreaking. Once again Canada can’t finish numerous golden chances. Unbelievable that they allowed Suarez to get behind them like that in stoppage time. We were lucky once in the shootout, had little hope this time around.
This was a good showing in the tourney but f*** me this team deserved better tonight.
This was a good showing in the tourney but f*** me this team deserved better tonight.
MilkofthePoppy
Registered User
- Oct 27, 2022
- 1,088
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CabanaBoy5
Registered User
Canada played a great game and deserved to win. Davies was caught up field leaving the defence shorthanded. Regardless, 3rd or 4th doesn't matter in the long run. It's how do they look going into 2026 and tbh they looked very good. They played with an offensive flair I didn't think they had. Well done
Clark4Ever
What we do in hockey echoes in eternity...
With a bit more maturity, we could have pulled off the upset last night against a top club. Instead of going for more offense we should have tried to maintain possession and killed the clock in regulation.
Nonetheless, a great showing by the CMNT.
Nonetheless, a great showing by the CMNT.
tmlms13
Registered User
I think what helped them was March started a lot of backups so a lot of fresh legs in the first half. Then when the starters came on in the second half they were better up against either tired Uruguay starters or their backups.
Might be why this was by far their best game.
Might be why this was by far their best game.
Some final takeaways that I had:
1) Davies was good but not star-level and Canada still finished 4th. That says something about the quality of the other guys.
2) Johnston was our best FB and might have been the best RB in the tournament. He isn't flashy, but he's very tough to play against.
3) We went into the tournament thinking that we were somewhere between 11-13 deep and walked out of the tournament with 6 guys outside of that group starting a game against Uruguay and still only losing late (and arguably because we subbed on an injured Davies).
4) Stef is a key guy but his main job is being invisible (in a good way)
The depth that was displayed is not something we've seen at any point that I can recall. While striker is a little iffy, if Bair and Oluwaseyi can get some quality minutes, they might be able to push Larin for 2nd spot (each guy looks like he provides something different).
At CB, Canada got a performance that no one expected going in and LdF looks like he could push for quality minutes as well. Going from Kamal Millar as defacto starting CB to him potentially being 4th is very good long term.
At FB, Canada has 3 or 4 quality options (Sam adekugbe, Laryea, Davies, Johnston) but need some younger guys to push so that they aren't reliant on the older guys.
Midfield is where Canada really is starting to look like they might have depth. They went in with Stef as the only real proven MF (Tajon has shown flashes) and are walking out with tons of experience, Shaffelburg showing some flashes that he could take the left flank long term if he can continue to improve, Kone having a 3rd place match that was one of the highest quality matches we've seen from a Canadian, and then sparks from other guys to really run Marsch's system. Yes, Canada needs guys to play at higher levels, to improve, and to have more options, but this is a step up.
1) Davies was good but not star-level and Canada still finished 4th. That says something about the quality of the other guys.
2) Johnston was our best FB and might have been the best RB in the tournament. He isn't flashy, but he's very tough to play against.
3) We went into the tournament thinking that we were somewhere between 11-13 deep and walked out of the tournament with 6 guys outside of that group starting a game against Uruguay and still only losing late (and arguably because we subbed on an injured Davies).
4) Stef is a key guy but his main job is being invisible (in a good way)
The depth that was displayed is not something we've seen at any point that I can recall. While striker is a little iffy, if Bair and Oluwaseyi can get some quality minutes, they might be able to push Larin for 2nd spot (each guy looks like he provides something different).
At CB, Canada got a performance that no one expected going in and LdF looks like he could push for quality minutes as well. Going from Kamal Millar as defacto starting CB to him potentially being 4th is very good long term.
At FB, Canada has 3 or 4 quality options (Sam adekugbe, Laryea, Davies, Johnston) but need some younger guys to push so that they aren't reliant on the older guys.
Midfield is where Canada really is starting to look like they might have depth. They went in with Stef as the only real proven MF (Tajon has shown flashes) and are walking out with tons of experience, Shaffelburg showing some flashes that he could take the left flank long term if he can continue to improve, Kone having a 3rd place match that was one of the highest quality matches we've seen from a Canadian, and then sparks from other guys to really run Marsch's system. Yes, Canada needs guys to play at higher levels, to improve, and to have more options, but this is a step up.
And as a final Team Canada post (other than potentially posting transfers) until the next Window, Canada has US and Mexico lined up for September and it is looking like Malaysia and Panama could be the October friendlies (Panama already confirmed that they will play Canada:
, props to r/CanadaSoccer for the heads up). Scheduling is difficult for these two windows because most of the regions have tournaments or World Cup qualifying going on. US/Mexico/Panama is a spectacular get for friendlies before the nation's league, and while Malaysia is 135, they are likely paying (would be playing in Canada in that scenario) and hopefully line up similarly structurally to a team that Canada could possibly face.
Theo Bair is headed to Ligue 1 and newly promoted AJ Auxerre
MLS modifies rules to improve flexibility in how teams add world-class or developing players | TSN
Major League Soccer is modifying roster rules to give clubs more flexibility in how they build their rosters as well as providing more benefits when players are transferred or loaned to clubs outside of the league.
www.tsn.ca
This is great for MLS, but bad for International soccer (like most of MLS's policies). Teams can acquire better U22 players and there is increased incentive to transfer them, but they haven't fixed the North American quota that makes teams want to keep young North Americans on the roster (and not loan them out) to make the quota and stunt their development.
robertmac43
Forever 43!
- Mar 31, 2015
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He was so good. Would be in the team of the tournament if it was up to me.
I'll be curious to see if AJ has another move in him. He is quickly out growing Celtic.
He has it so good at Celtic. Being a fan favorite there must be next level as a kid from Aurora. And he gets to play champions league football.
His next move would need to be a calculated one.
I agree, I think we were overlooked at a few positions for team of the tournament.
I was hoping Bair would have got a better shake at copa. Especially since he's in form and goals were at a premium for us.
Game one of the U20 was played in what was essentially a swamp. It was absolutely pouring.
Canada gave up a late Honduras goal to give away 2 points. They looked very good along the way though. Some bright spots were Swiderski, Lopez, and Greco-Taylor.
Heading into matchday 2 (tomorrow), Canada is technically 3rd in the group (on discipline), but Honduras was the A team from the group.
This is a 12 team tourney, where the top 2 plus top 2 of the 3rd place teams move on to the quarters. If Canada can win their quarterfinal, they would book their ticket to the Fifa U20 World Cup. Note: Canada is the 12th ranked team of 12 in the tournament due to some lean years).
Canada gave up a late Honduras goal to give away 2 points. They looked very good along the way though. Some bright spots were Swiderski, Lopez, and Greco-Taylor.
Heading into matchday 2 (tomorrow), Canada is technically 3rd in the group (on discipline), but Honduras was the A team from the group.
This is a 12 team tourney, where the top 2 plus top 2 of the 3rd place teams move on to the quarters. If Canada can win their quarterfinal, they would book their ticket to the Fifa U20 World Cup. Note: Canada is the 12th ranked team of 12 in the tournament due to some lean years).
Huge goal from Tavio Ciccerelli to get Canada 3 points.
Looking at the structure, as long as Canada doesn't give up 5 goals to El Salvador OR Mexico and Panama win tonight, they will move on to the quarterfinals.
If they win the group (need either a better result than Honduras or to beat them in a tiebreaker which they currently would lose), they would play 3rd place of Group A or C.
If Canada finishes 2nd in the group, they would likely face 2nd place of Mexico/Panama in their group.
If Canada finishes 3rd in the group, they would face the US.
Looking at the structure, as long as Canada doesn't give up 5 goals to El Salvador OR Mexico and Panama win tonight, they will move on to the quarterfinals.
If they win the group (need either a better result than Honduras or to beat them in a tiebreaker which they currently would lose), they would play 3rd place of Group A or C.
If Canada finishes 2nd in the group, they would likely face 2nd place of Mexico/Panama in their group.
If Canada finishes 3rd in the group, they would face the US.
With Mexico and Panama winning last night, Canada has been assured of a quarterfinal match.
If Cuba can beat Jamaica, they are the opponent for whoever wins the group.
Also, if Mexico and Panama tie, they will either have 1/2 determined by discipline (currently Mexico has 2 yellows versus 3 for Panama) and if that ends up tied, they will literally have a lot draw.
If Cuba can beat Jamaica, they are the opponent for whoever wins the group.
Also, if Mexico and Panama tie, they will either have 1/2 determined by discipline (currently Mexico has 2 yellows versus 3 for Panama) and if that ends up tied, they will literally have a lot draw.
John Herdman was accused a while back as the men's head coach. It was laughed off back then. Not so funny anymore.
Mexico and Panama did draw and Mexico won the group on less yellows.
Mexico gets Costa Rica for winning the group and Panama and Canada play on Tuesday (note: winning the next game earns a Fifa U20 World Cup spot)
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