Canada's 18-player roster announced! [Archive]

MikeD

07-02-2003, 01:46 PM

Men's World Cup Team
Wednesday, July 02, 2003
Osieck Announces Gold Cup Roster

Ottawa, Ontario – Canadian Men’s World Cup Team Head Coach Holger Osieck today announced his 18-man roster for the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup from July 12-27.

The majority of the team will assemble north of Toronto for a training camp which begins on July 2. The team will travel to Boston on July 9th and face Costa Rica at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts on Saturday, July 12. The game will be shown live on Rogers Sportsnet at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Canada’s second game will be against Cuba at Gillette Stadium on July 14 at 6:30 p.m. ET (live on Rogers Sportsnet). Cuba and Costa Rica will face each other in the final preliminary round in Group D on July 16 at 4:30 p.m. The top two teams from each of the four groups advance to the quarter-finals.

The winner of Group D will play the runner-up of Group C (USA, El Salvador or Martinique) at Gillette Stadium while the runner-up of Group D will play the winner of Group C at Gillette in the quarter-finals. The semis are in Miami and Mexico City while the third place game is July 26 in Miami and the final is in Mexico City on July 27.

The roster includes veterans Nick Dasovic and Carlo Corazzin. Corazzin has signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps and will play with Dasovic and the Whitecaps before join the group on July 5th. Martin Nash and Nevio Pizzolitto of the Montreal Impact will also join the squad on the 5th following their game against Syracuse on the 4th.

Mike Klukowski rejoins the team after earning his first international cap against Libya. He missed the Estonia game through injury and won the Belgian Cup Final with La Louviere on June 1 (missing out on Canada’s friendly with Germany). Iain Hume also returns to the squad for the first time since earning his first appearance against Libya in February.

Captain Jason deVos makes his first appearance since captaining Wigan to the English Second Division championship in April. He took time off to heal a broken bone in his foot following Wigan’s successful promotion.

Earning his first call-up since the 2002 Gold Cup is midfielder Jason Bent. Bent missed several friendlies after suffering a hamstring injury with Plymouth Argyle last season. Davide Xausa also returns to the squad for the first time since the friendly against the USA in January.

Kevin McKenna, who scored Canada’s goal against Germany, will look to repeat his accomplishments in the 2002 Gold Cup when he led the team in scoring with three goals. Defenders Paul Fenwick and Richard Hastings have also been called in along with Maycoll Canizalez.

The goalkeepers are veteran Pat Onstad, who has led the San Jose Earthquakes to a first place berth in the MLS Western Conference and suffered only one loss in 10 games (6-1-3). He is joined by Lars Hirschfeld (Tottenham) who has recovered from a hamstring injury suffered in March while on loan with English Second Division side Luton Town.

Midfielders Paul Stalteri (Werder Bremen) and Daniel Imhof (St. Gallen) have also been selected along with defender/midfielder Chris Pozniak (Orebo).

Canadian Roster For Gold Cup 2003

Name Position Club D.O.B. Caps Goals/Shutouts
Pat Onstad GK San Jose Earthquakes, MLS 1/13/68 37 15
Maycoll Canizalez M Werder Bremen, Bundesliga 12/28/82 3 1
Richard Hastings D/M Graz AK, Austrian First Division 5/18/77 31 1
Paul Fenwick D Hibernian, Scottish Premier 8/25/69 29 0
Jason deVos D Wigan Athletic, English First Division 1/2/74 39 3
Jason Bent M Plymouth Argyle, English Second Div. 3/8/77 29 0
Paul Stalteri M Werder Bremen, German Bundesliga 10/18/77 42 4
Daniel Imhof M St. Gallen, Swiss First Division 11/22/77 16 0
Carlo Corazzin F Vancouver Whitecaps, A-League 12/25/71 55 10
Kevin McKenna D/F Heart of Midlothian, Scottish Premier 1/21/80 16 6
Martin Nash M Montreal Impact, A-League 12/27/75 25 2
Nick Dasovic D/M Vancouver Whitecaps, A-League 12/5/68 58 2
Davide Xausa M/F Livingston, Scottish Premier 3/10/76 32 2
Mike Klukowski M La Louviere, Belgium 5/27/81 1 0
Nevio Pizzolitto D Montreal Impact, A-League 8/26/76 6 0
Chris Pozniak D/M Orebro, Swedish Premier 1/10/81 7 0
Iain Hume M/F Tranmere Rovers, English Second Div. 10/20/83 1 0
Lars Hirschfeld GK Tottenham Hotspur, English Premier 10/17/78 11 3

Staff
Andy Sharpe Head of Delegation
Holger Osieck Head Coach
Colin Miller Assistant Coach
Kevin Muldoon Goalkeeping Coach/Equipment Manager
Dave Foley Physiotherapist (July 2-11)
Greg Bay Physiotherapist (July 11-27)
Hans Guenter Bruns Massage Therapist
Sanjay Gupta Doctor
Morgan Quarry Team Manager/Director of Communications

Mike D

[Added by DJT] For reference, here are the 7 alternates:

GK: Kenny Stamatopoulous (Enkopings/SWE)
D : Carl Fletcher (Atlanta Silverbacks/USA D2), Mark Rogers (Wycombe/ENG)
MF: Atiba Hutchinson (Osters IF/SWE), Ante Jazic (SK Rapid Wien/AUT), Tam Nsaliwa (FC Saarbrucken/GER D2)
F : Robert Friend (Moss FK/NOR)

07-02-2003, 01:57 PM

Good to see Klukowski on the squad. Jazic fans, start your engines!!

matthew

07-02-2003, 03:04 PM

WTF?!

So there goes the idea of seeing how Tam looks as a rightback a little more. I guess he's more valuable to his club right now, but seriously we aren't going to get anywhere if we don't actually see our players in useful competition. He looked good against Germany and then no more.

As for Jazic . . . jesus the saga continues. Actually, no I'm not even going to think about the implications of this because I don't want to. I'm sick second guessing every decision we make. I can't change it, no need to go nuts over it. But it seems there's no need to get too worked up over anything other than WCQ, given the scarcity of seeing more than a handful of our top players at a time, we don't seem to take anything else seriously.

So: Onstad/Hirschfeld
Pozniak--WHOKNOWS--DeVos-Hastings
Bent-Imhof-Stalteri-Nash
McKenna-Hume/MC2

Will it be Dasovic or Fenwick pairing with DeVos? (somehow I know it won't be Nevio). Or does Holger live up to my expectations and start Dasovic ahead of Bent?

cheers,
matthew

The secret of life is to find moments of levity and grace in what is, ultimately, a tragedy. Watching Canadian soccer is good practice for this.

beachesl

07-02-2003, 03:15 PM

So, the "7" are Stamapoulos (may be back on if Hirschfield not fully up to it in training), Fletcher (no suprise given disappointing germany performance, but may be back on if De Vos is iffy, as known quality to Holger), Jasic, Friend, Rodgers, Hutchinson and Nzaliwa (too bad, but I guess the club doesn't want him to go). No suprises realy, guess Holger finds some comfort in experience of Dasovic.

I expect that Hirschfield and De Vos have recovered nicely.

Remember, all 25 remain as possibilities, as the cut "7" remain as alternates in case of "injury" (or, winkwink, not doing well or behaving at training camp, or further club problems, altho' I expect that Nzaliwa would not be released in any event).

Guess we'll have to wait for "inside" reports to filter in to get real story behind much of this.

Is it a freudian slip that Holger listed Onstad first and Hirschfield last? If so, shows he is capable of some change.

My humble guess at Holger's starting 11 (not my choice if I were god) against Costa Rica would be a rough assortment of:

Onstad

Fenwick De Vos Hastings

Bent Imhoff Pozniak

Nash Stallieri Xausa

McKenna

Then, hopefully he will feel he can afford to play a more offensive formation with Canizales and Corazzin against Cuba (with at least half the original squad taking a rest, and with Hirschfeld in goal).

Blah, blah, blah.

Just do it, boys!!!!!!!!!!!!1

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change
the subject. -- Winston Churchill

DJT

07-02-2003, 03:18 PM

quote:Originally posted by matthew

but seriously we aren't going to get anywhere if we don't actually see our players in useful competitionYeah. The problem with always waiting until WCQ is that without even trying what we think is our full team we won't know if it is indeed our full team (ie. whether they actually work well together), and so we will still be experimenting during the more challenging WCQ stages (let's face it, we won't see a full lineup in the first stage).

redhat

07-02-2003, 03:22 PM

NO real surprise!
Except for Jazic not being there (again), I think Holger just stuck
to his favorites and picked the likes of Fenwick & Corrazin.

Onstad
Hastings ( Pozniak) -DeVos-Fenwick
Imhoff-Bent-Stalteri-Klukowski- Nash
McKenna-Hume (MC2)

Let's see how Hume and MC2 do with the senior team, in this tournament.
Sad not to see DeGuzman, Rad, Pwamme, Tam, Jazic, and Brennan. (Hey that's most of our A-team!) :(

Gordon

07-02-2003, 03:29 PM

If Brennan starting with a new team is reason to skip, I guess the same applies for Nsaliwa. Disappointed about Jazic. Just hoping their is a legit reason and not a spat involved.

Falling under the category of making lemonade, lets hope that Holger gives Bent a run out at right back.

Onstadt
Bent De Vos Klukowski Pozniak
Nash Stalteri Imhoff Hastings
McKenna Corrazin

Note that I am on my "Klukowski as a Central Defender" kick here [:p]. If not, give Pizzo a go. MC2 for Corrazin at 55 minutes and Hume on for Nash at 70 mins. I really do hope that Klukowski gets some minutes, where ever that might be. I expect that Pozniak figures to play a bit for Holger to call him up mid season. Not at all disappointed that Hutchinson is a sub as staying in Sweden is probably better than sitting on the bench in Boston.

I don't see us playing more than 3 games this time around. We should beat Cuba, and give C/R and the US a game, but unlikley to get a result in either of those two...:(

The opinions expressed above are just that.

Ryan Keay

07-02-2003, 03:32 PM

Well, considering the 25 they were to be chosen from, the 18 here arent too bad. Menezes and Pesch being the notable unexplained and (kind of) unexpected missing players in the 25.

I wouldn't mind hearing about what happened with the Jazic situation, be it injury, club commitments, Holger not choosing him or whatever.

But since it seems like it's Starting XI time, its time to have a bit of fun and choose the eleven I want to see when I travel down to Boston. And because theres no one of the 18 I would like see pairing with De Vos in the centre of a back four without causing severe panic attacks (mainly due to every one of our centre backs being on the slow side), I choose to go with the standard German 3-5-2.

Onstad
Dasovic
De Vos Hastings
Bent Imhof Stalteri Klukowski
Nash
Hume McKenna

The Hume/McKenna combo could be pretty effective. I've always been a fan of tall and small, and despite the fact I dont think Hume will start, I think he's probably our most dangerous striker in the squad when it comes to beating their man. McKenna has looked good up front and willing to get into the mix, plus I rate him much higher than Corrazin.

As for the midfield, I basically chose the best five guys in there (IMHO of course). Plus, it gives us an option of having Canizales being our super sub, either up front or wide. His ability to run at defenders will be key, and particularly useful against some tired legs.

As for at the back.. De Vos has to be there. Perhaps from watching Pozniak play wide all the time for the Lynx Ive developed a bias against him playing in a central defensive role, but he seems more fit for playing on the outside of the midfield for me. Hastings has pace, so he gets in the back, cause its something we need badly. And I put Dazza at sweeper, cause frankly, its him or Fenwick :). But really, I think he could do well there, keeping the play in front of him, we just have to keep him to watch his tackling in the box.

But I expect this from Holger:

Onstad
Pozniak Fenwick De Vos Hastings
Imhof Stalteri Bent Nash
McKenna Corrazin

"Half of what I say is bull****, the other half are the most important things you will ever hear." Nicky Wire

Ryan Keay

07-02-2003, 03:35 PM

quote:Originally posted by Gordon

Note that I am on my "Klukowski as a Central Defender" kick here [:p

That's something I'd definitely like to see, him paired with De Vos for one game. Maybe not in the Gold Cup, but maybe a friendly? A partner for De Vos in a 4-4-2 is going to be a bit difficult to find, he could be it.

"Half of what I say is bull****, the other half are the most important things you will ever hear." Nicky Wire

marcl_19

07-02-2003, 03:44 PM

im glad to see klukowski in...im actually moving to belgian fairly close to where his team play, i hope to go see some of his games....i was dissapointed to see deguzman not on the roster...he dod some good things against germany on the wing.
also would have been nice ot see jazic and hutchinson in the top 18.....not my descision tho...all in all, it looks likea decent roster all things considered.

Grasshopper

07-02-2003, 03:44 PM

I don't know if I'd consider Carlo one of Holger's favourites, considering the comments that the two exchanged after the Confederation Cup. (Don't have the exact quotes handy, but Carlo's were general unhappiness, and Holger replied by pointing quite an unflattering finger directly at Carlo.) Now Fenwick on the other hand has to go down as Holger's Iain Fraser or Geoff Aunger (or you can make your own analogy). I still haven't figured out the Dasovic unretirement from the national team; I loved his leadership during the last Gold Cup, but I'm all for him winding down his national team playing career, focussing on his coaching career, and having Holger find somebody younger to lean on for leadership (as I really don't think that Nick will be playing during WCQ, but with Holger you never really know.)

Being somebody that is going to Boston to see the Costa Rica match, I can't say that I'm thrilled about the number of players that we're going to be missing. Somehow I thought that moving the Gold Cup to the summer was going to help Canada due to less club/country conflict; I guess not.

The cynic in me guesses the next time that we'll actually see our entire team together is in Germany 2006 (should we be so lucky.)

Blair

quote:Originally posted by redhat

NO real surprise!
Except for Jazic not being there (again), I think Holger just stuck
to his favorites and picked the likes of Fenwick & Corrazin.

Canuck Oranje

07-02-2003, 03:44 PM

Well, from the reports I read around the Germany game, it sounded like Jazic was hurting with a back ailment. Sounded like the same thing Wendel Clark had in the early '90s. And that needs a fair amount of physio... so I will give him the benefit of the doubt.

As for Nsaliwa, I can see him staying home too.... Our top priority still has to be World Cup Qualifying...

sstackho

07-02-2003, 04:15 PM

I miss Pesch... :(

'Shawn' on the old board...

Sigma

07-02-2003, 04:23 PM

I also miss Pesch...

Dasovic again... http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung/wuerg/vomit-smiley-002.gif

-------------------------
Sigma do toho!

Gian-Luca

07-02-2003, 04:29 PM

Actually I have to approve of Holger being "less iron-fisted" about club vs. country conflicts. To me this line-up indicates we are taking the Gold Cup very seriously, but still not as seriously as World Cup Qualifying (that calls for "Supreme Seriousness" for lack of a better term :) ) - I expect we are currying favours right now with the players & clubs. As much as I will hate the fact that Brennan, De Guzman & Nsaliwa won't be there, there are understandable reasons to let them miss the tourney. And won't Julian be able to tell Jonathan what a nice reasonable guy Holger is? :)

I also think that our increased depth means that we can better afford to miss these players, even though all three mentioned (plus Jazic in all likelihood, (suspect he's still injured)) would be for myself, first choice starters, making that 6 first-choice players unavailable for the tourney ( adding DeRo & Radz, 7 if you add an on-form Menezes). That's enough IMO to downgrade this team to B+ from A-, but we could still do really well in this tourney with the squad called. Much will depend on whether certain strikers can get out of their several-year goal scoring slump (ie.Corazzin - not scored for the National team since Feb.2000, Xausa - not officially scored for Nats since May 1999 - though he did have a legit. goal wrongfully called back in Jan. 2002). We aren't going to win the tourney if these two don't score at some point.

Let's face it though, even with a full squad it would be tough for us to win this tourney with the bloody final in Mexico & with no time to acclimatize.

Even the wolf can learn. Even the sheep can turn. Even the frog can become at last the prince. - Peter Hammill, Over (1977)

Gian-Luca

07-02-2003, 04:37 PM

quote:Originally posted by Canuck Oranje

Well, from the reports I read around the Germany game, it sounded like Jazic was hurting with a back ailment. Sounded like the same thing Wendel Clark had in the early '90s. And that needs a fair amount of physio... so I will give him the benefit of the doubt.

As for Nsaliwa, I can see him staying home too.... Our top priority still has to be World Cup Qualifying...

With Tam its the same thing as Brennan. It is a bit awkward for players to sign one day & then immediately say "See you a month from now, I'm off to play for Canada, please make sure no-one claims my spot while I'm away."

Without Jazic & Tam, I would like to see this as a starting line-up:

Xausa McKenna
Canizalez Stalteri Imhof Nash
Pozniak Pizzolitto De Vos Bent
Onstad (Lars hasn't played in a while)

Subs - Hume as super-sub at striker position. Hastings for Pozniak if he gets tired or injured. Klukowski for any of the midfielders. Fenwick at central defense. Same with Dasovic (he must be banne from midfield - no point anyway with both Imhof & Klukowski on the squad).

Corazzin as another striker sub. I am horrified to hear reports out of Vancouver that Carlo is getting fat - that's the last thing Carlo needed, speed wasn't his game to begin with.

Here's what I think we will see:

Xausa McKenna
Nash Stalteri Imhof Bent
Hastings Fenwick De Vos Pozniak
Onstad

I like my line-up better. I really want to go with a 3-5-2 with Klukowski starting, but I have a feeling (especially against Costa Rica) we will see 4 at the back.

Even the wolf can learn. Even the sheep can turn. Even the frog can become at last the prince. - Peter Hammill, Over (1977)

Varsity Tyler

07-02-2003, 04:41 PM

You know what? I've seen Canada put out some poorer rosters against even better opposition than we're set to face in the group stage. In all honestly, I'm pretty optimistic.

At striker, forget about what Holger has to say. Provided that he plays them, Canizales and Hume are apt replacements for our main strikers. I'm not calling their talents level with Peschisolido and Radzinski, but that's okay. So long as they're eased into the games then I think they will do just fine. Remember back to how Holger introduced DeRosario to full internationals; he did it over a course of roughly three years. I think it worked out fine in that scenario. There's no reason why this can't happen again.

The middle is still strong. Yes, it's true that it could be better, but let's not lose perspective. We won this whole tournament a couple of years back with a midfield that consisted of a ****e Paul Stalteri, an aging Nick Dasovic, Jimmy Brennan, Marty Nash and Jeff Clarke! I don't know about you, but I'll take a much-improved Stalteri, a mature Jason Bent, that same Martin Nash and Daniel Imhof over that Championship midfield any day. We have much more depth now than we did earlier; it's going to start showing.

Unfortunately, the back line isn't what it used to be. The dominant trio of Watson, Menezes and De Vos isn't together at the moment. Let's hope to hell that De Vos has recovered enough to remain a presesnce. Then, in a 4-4-2, let him marshall Hastings, Klukowski and McKenna. That should be okay.

beachesl

07-02-2003, 04:47 PM

Gian-Luca:

You'd be an awfully generous teacher!

The US GC team would be using a B+ (in terms of POTENTIALITY of all available players in a successful world, not in team competitiveness)and we could use that as a standard. Mexico and Costa Rica would be
A-'s on this scale, Colombia B, Brazil maybe B-, even with their Olympic Q team being sent (smart move on their part, great training camp for the coming campaign!) but they are always hard to peg.

I have always been keeping my sight on the WCQ, but now that the GC is almost here, I'm wanting to get optimistic about at least moderate success (which would be giving the USA hell at the quarter-final, or going on to the Semi if we end up at the head of our group and get to play El Salvador in the Quarters instead).

Hard to give Canada's GC team more than a C+ given it's ultimate potential. But, as you say, hopefully Holger's "Master Plan" will lead to a good "Final Soloution" for the World Cup. Shades of Dr. Strangelove!

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change
the subject. -- Winston Churchill

DJT

07-02-2003, 04:52 PM

Neil Davidson's article:

TORONTO (CP) - Captain Jason deVos and goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld have recovered from injury and will play for Canada at the Gold Cup later this month.

But the Canadians, winners in 2000 and third in 2002, will be without influential winger Jim Brennan at the 12-team tournament that starts July 12 in Foxboro, Mass. Top strikers Tomasz Radzinski and Dwayne De Rosario are also still unavailable. Radzinski, who plays for Everton in the English top flight, is recovering from a groin injury while De Rosario, who plays for the MLS San Jose Earthquakes, has had season-ending knee surgery.

Brennan has just signed with Norwich City of the English First Division and did not want to immediately abandon his new team to play for Canada.

The squad is about as good as it gets for Canadian coach Holger Osieck, whose team is currently ranked 78th in the world.

"When I look at the roster, it's a good mixture of experience and youth," Osieck said Wednesday. "We'll see."

Other matches in the CONCACAF championship, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean, will take place in Miami and Mexico City.

The tournament features 10 CONCACAF squads and two guest teams: Brazil and Copa American champion Colombia. The Brazilians are not sending their full squad, instead opting for an under-23 side.

Canada, currently ranked ninth among CONCACAF countries, is in an opening-round group with No. 18 Costa Rica and No. 63 Cuba.

The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the second round. Canada will be hoping to win its group to avoid a confrontation with the winner of Group C - in all likelihood the defending champion Americans.

DeVos, a hard-nosed defender who anchors Canada's backline, has been out of action recently because of a foot injury. Hirschfeld, who was the revelation of the 2002 Gold Cup, is coming back from a hamstring problem suffered while on load to Luton of the English Second Division.

With Hirschfeld lacking game experience and backup Pat Onstad in fine form with San Jose, Osieck said he will be monitoring the goalie situation closely before naming his starter.

Returning to Osieck's roster are forwards Carlo Corazzin, Davide Xausa and 19-year-old Iain Hume, midfielders Mike Klukowski and Jason Bent, and defender Chris Pozniak.

Young midfielders Julian de Guzman and Tam Nsaliwa are not in the squad. Neither is midfielder Ante Jazic or veteran forward Paul Peschisolido.

De Guzman and Nsaliwa, apparently, were not that interested, with club interests in Germany apparently more of a concern.

"How can I put it, they don't see the significance of the tournament," Osieck said dryly.

Osieck could have called them in, but elected not to.

"I got the feeling maybe it was not whole-hearted so therefore I said I'd rather go with guys of whom I'm really convinced."

Asked if that was the kind of attitude that might cost a player down the line, Osieck was pragmatic.

"I'm not in the privileged position here that I could act like a national team coach in let's say one of those countries like Italy, Germany or England," he said philosophically. "We have to go with those guys."

Osieck does have a long memory, however.

And, in a perfect world, he would have the rampaging Brennan on the left flank.

The Canadian coach took the diplomatic route when apprised of a quote from Brennan taken from the local Norwich paper's Internet site.

"Missing the Gold Cup was a fairly easy decision for me," Brennan was quoted as saying. "I spoke to the Canadian manager and told him I was about to sign for Norwich and it would be a bit difficult to then leave for three weeks. He understood that and was really good about it."

"Let's leave it," Osieck said.

Brennan has been a loyal servant to Canada, however, so perhaps he is entitled to a shot at impressing his new employer.

As for Jazic, the dance continues between the Halifax midfielder and the national team. The Rapid Vienna player has been injured for long stretches when needed by Canada and was unavailable after being called up for the recent German game.

With Peschisolido, Osieck said the two have not talked recently and the last time they did, the veteran Sheffield United striker said he wanted to concentrate on his club business.

Canadian supporters on the Internet have campaigned for the inclusion of midfielder Fernando Aguiar, who is with Benfica in Portugal. But Osieck is unimpressed.

"I don't know about the supporters, in how far they can assess the performance of a player that they don't see."

The Canadians will gather north of Toronto this week for a training camp prior to the tournament. Canada opens July 12 against Costa Rica.

As I posted on the old board... Haha, Holger comments on us again! But does Holger see Aguiar? Does he see (at their clubs) many of the players that he does call?

Gian-Luca

07-02-2003, 05:03 PM

quote:Originally posted by beachesl

Gian-Luca:

You'd be an awfully generous teacher!

The US GC team would be using a B+ (in terms of POTENTIALITY of all available players in a successful world, not in team competitiveness)and we could use that as a standard. Mexico and Costa Rica would be
A-'s on this scale, Colombia B, Brazil maybe B-, even with their Olympic Q team being sent (smart move on their part, great training camp for the coming campaign!) but they are always hard to peg.

I have always been keeping my sight on the WCQ, but now that the GC is almost here, I'm wanting to get optimistic about at least moderate success (which would be giving the USA hell at the quarter-final, or going on to the Semi if we end up at the head of our group and get to play El Salvador in the Quarters instead).

Hard to give Canada's GC team more than a C+ given it's ultimate potential. But, as you say, hopefully Holger's "Master Plan" will lead to a good "Final Soloution" for the World Cup. Shades of Dr. Strangelove!

This isn't quite what I meant by "B+". I wasn't giving grades, but commenting on how close to being a "top squad" the Gold Cup roster is. If Canada had all of their best players starting, we'd be fielding an A team. If we field a squad that is missing most of our best players but playing the next best alternative to that position, that's a "B" team. If we field a squad that has players playing who are way down the depth chart, that's a C or D team (like we did against the US in January, when Matondo started & Chris Williams played, even though neither might start at this point for our Olympic team, never mind the national team).

Given what our top team would be, there are enough players missing to say that this isn't quite our "A" team. Probably A- or B+.

Even the wolf can learn. Even the sheep can turn. Even the frog can become at last the prince. - Peter Hammill, Over (1977)

beachesl

07-02-2003, 05:03 PM

Well-written and comprehensive article !

Again, I give Holger a failing grade on diplomacy for his comments on De Guzman and Nsaliwa. He could have said "Both players, who were very promising in the Germany game, are in difficult club situations that prevent them from commiting to the GC, but they have demonstrated a wish to be involved in the coming WCQ campaign" (which is probably closer to the truth too). Calling a sopade a spade is one thing, but calling a spade a "g*dd*mn shovel" is another!

The comment about Pesch is a bit of a half-true, I'm sure, as well.

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change
the subject. -- Winston Churchill

matthew

07-02-2003, 06:33 PM

quote:Originally posted by DJT

"I don't know about the supporters, in how far they can assess the performance of a player that they don't see.

Well we knew calling in Jason Jordan was a bit of a stretch before Holger did.

Seriously how many of these games does he see? Has he ever been to an A-League match outside of Toronto? I love Nick Dasovic, always been one of my favourites, but if Holger is convinced that Nick Dasovic is a better midfidler than Fernando Aguiar as of July 2, 2003 I have serious doubts about his sanity.

Good job by Neil Davidson to dig a little. Holger didn't offer much in way of response, but at least we know that he thinks Aguiar and Pesch are both past it while still including Fenwick, Fletcher and Dasovic.

cheers,
matthew

The secret of life is to find moments of levity and grace in what is, ultimately, a tragedy. Watching Canadian soccer is good practice for this.

Gian-Luca

07-02-2003, 06:46 PM

quote:Originally posted by matthew
Seriously how many of these games does he see? Has he ever been to an A-League match outside of Toronto? I love Nick Dasovic, always been one of my favourites, but if Holger is convinced that Nick Dasovic is a better midfidler than Fernando Aguiar as of July 2, 2003 I have serious doubts about his sanity.

Well it does beg the question that I asked on the old forum, what precisely about Aguiar is he "unimpressed" (as Neil put it) with? His play in Portugal, or something else?

Ryan suggests putting Dasovic as part of the back four, I think I'd prefer that, though I hope he doesn't commit as many fouls in the 18-yard box as he did outside of it 18 months ago in the last Gold Cup. I honestly thought Nick's days for Canada were over. I love the guy, but not on our team at this juncture. With Imhof & Klukowski on the same roster, I sure hope we don't see Nick playing in midfield instead of those two.

Even the wolf can learn. Even the sheep can turn. Even the frog can become at last the prince. - Peter Hammill, Over (1977)

mattbin

07-02-2003, 08:17 PM

About Neil's article... the one thing I am impressed with above all else is that he's obviously taking our concerns to heart. Every one of the concerns that are expressed on the V-Board(s)--Jazic, Aguiar, Pesch--has not only been confronted, but even taken up with Holger.

Much as we might disagree with Holger's responses, we must appreciate that our concerns are being taken to the highest level.

Thanks, Neil.

Allez les Rouges,
M@

Ian Kennett

07-02-2003, 10:31 PM

Regarding Jazic!

Ante Jazic is LEGITIMATELY hurt as diagnosed by the CANADIAN world cup team doctors just prior to the Germany match according to Assistant coach, Colin Miller. Jazic is back in Holger's good books, and this time we cannot fault him for being absent from the team.
Cheers!

Reza

07-02-2003, 10:57 PM

So, the secret appears to be beating Costa Rica or somehow finishing first in the group ....there is no point facing USA in the 2nd round. It's crucial for Canada to get 5 games out of this tournament, since it's rare that they get to play two weeks together especially only 7 months prior to the big competition begins.

Reza

Gian-Luca

07-02-2003, 11:33 PM

I don't know Reza, I think I like our chances against the US better than against Costa Rica. Call it a hunch.

Even the wolf can learn. Even the sheep can turn. Even the frog can become at last the prince. - Peter Hammill, Over (1977)

Cheeta

07-03-2003, 05:28 AM

quote:Originally posted by mattbin

About Neil's article... the one thing I am impressed with above all else is that he's obviously taking our concerns to heart. Every one of the concerns that are expressed on the V-Board(s)--Jazic, Aguiar, Pesch--has not only been confronted, but even taken up with Holger.

Much as we might disagree with Holger's responses, we must appreciate that our concerns are being taken to the highest level.

Thanks, Neil.

Allez les Rouges,
M@

Dead on. When has anyone ever asked Holger about his selections or more so in this case lack of selections or absences? Really can't think of any interview myself.

Say this for Holger, he has no problem calling it like he sees it and I don't think that is so bad. I'm sure it dose rub some of the lads the wrong way but then, I suppose it's ment to. Just a little. I don't think anything he said was inaccuate either. Maybe a little over simplified but it sumed things up nicely.

Sounds like Holgy's getting a little frustrated with players choosing club over country. Maybe more frustrated with being told by players which country matchs are "important enough to justify attenting". Me, I see both sides. Usually side with the players and well in this case. But I wonder sometimes.

This Aguiar's question is beginning to interest me. Seems to have gotten a little under the German's skin. Hmph.

"Minority of one"

MikeD

07-03-2003, 08:22 AM

quote:Originally posted by Gian-Luca

I don't know Reza, I think I like our chances against the US better than against Costa Rica. Call it a hunch.

Even the wolf can learn. Even the sheep can turn. Even the frog can become at last the prince. - Peter Hammill, Over (1977)

If we finish second in our group, we'll most likely have to go through the US and then Costa Rica to get to the final. I'd much rather let them battle it out in the quarterfinal, while we face El Salvador or Martinique, then take on the winner in the semi.

I can't wait for the 12th!

Mike D

beachesl

07-03-2003, 09:25 AM

EXCEPTbcause of the playoff format, it would be impossible to meet the US in the semi-final. If we avoid The US in the quarter-final, we have to play the semi-final in Mexico City instead of Miami
(against Mexico in the if they make it, against another from A or B if we don't). Don't forget the rule that the home side always gets the semi-final venue, as stupid as that is.

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change
the subject. -- Winston Churchill

Warren in the UK

07-03-2003, 09:39 AM

Did I miss something? What Where is DeGuzman?

beachesl

07-03-2003, 10:14 AM

quote:Originally posted by Warren in the UK

Did I miss something? What Where is DeGuzman?

His German club has pressured him not to go. He is not injured and was incredible against Germany. Our coach Holger Osiek claims that De Guzman is not interested in the Gold cup competition, but it may be a personality problem with the coach (as in the Pescholido situation). He may be being kept back on an understanding that he will be free for International dates starting in February for the CONCANAF World Cup Qualifying. Who knows? We may be lucky getting any Euro-based players at all.

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change
the subject. -- Winston Churchill

beachesl

07-03-2003, 10:15 AM

See excellent article by Neil Davidson of Canadian Press halfway down first page of this topic.

MikeD

07-03-2003, 10:42 AM

quote:Originally posted by beachesl

EXCEPTbcause of the playoff format, it would be impossible to meet the US in the semi-final. If we avoid The US in the quarter-final, we have to play the semi-final in Mexico City instead of Miami
(against Mexico in the if they make it, against another from A or B if we don't). Don't forget the rule that the home side always gets the semi-final venue, as stupid as that is.

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change
the subject. -- Winston Churchill

Oh sh!t, you're right! This tournament is rigged even worse than I thought. :(

This raises an interesting question: will we actually have a tougher route to the final if we win our group than if we finish second?

If we win our group, we get the second placed team from Group C, likely El Salvador or Martinique (clearly an easier quarterfinal than if we have to play the Yanks), but then we play the semi-final in Azteca with Mexico as our likely opponent.

On the other hand, if we finish second in our group, we likely face the US in the quarterfinal followed by an easier semi-final in Miami, likely against Colombia or Brazil. (Naturally, all of this assumes that the US will win Group C - if they finish second then we need to finish second in our group to avoid them.)

This is such a screwed up system, there isn't really much of an incentive to win our group at all.

Mike D

Reza

07-03-2003, 10:43 AM

Playing Mexico in the Semifinals in Azteca is actually a good learning experience for next year and also 2005. It is a rare opportunity to become familiar with the environments that otherwise would have to be dealt with during qualifying.

I think the key objectives have to be getting 5 games under the belt and some experience playing in Mexico for future. Plus winning as many to get the ranking into the 60s again.

Reza

Gordon

07-03-2003, 12:10 PM

quote:Originally posted by Reza

Playing Mexico in the Semifinals in Azteca is actually a good learning experience for next year and also 2005. It is a rare opportunity to become familiar with the environments that otherwise would have to be dealt with during qualifying.

I think the key objectives have to be getting 5 games under the belt and some experience playing in Mexico for future. Plus winning as many to get the ranking into the 60s again.

Reza

Yeah. Try to WIN the tournament, not back in by having contenders knocked off by others. If you have to beat Mexico in Azteca or the US in Gillette makes no matter. I for one will be delighted with a semi-final match. Who and where does not matter to me. Beat C/R, Beat Cuba, Beat El Salvador/Martinique, beat Mexico in Azteca and beat Brazil/US/Columbia in Azteca. Hoist the Cup and strut for a couple of years. And tell everyone we did it with a B+ team :D

The opinions expressed above are just that.

mattbin

07-04-2003, 12:54 AM

quote:Originally posted by MikeD
This is such a screwed up system, there isn't really much of an incentive to win our group at all.

Mike D

Sounds like someone's a-hankerin' for a coin toss!

:D

Allez les Rouges,
M@

Desigol

07-04-2003, 03:00 PM

Here's my starting XI from that squad (I know Holger and I aren't of a like mind, but what the hell.);

-------------------------Onstad.

-----Bent ----------- McKenna -------Devos -------- Kulkowski

-----Stalteri ------- Bent --------- Imhoff ------- Nash

---------------------- Canizalez ----- Hume

You don't win friends with salad!

Andrew W

07-04-2003, 05:08 PM

You're really asking a lot of Bent. :)

As for club v country. I take the players' side every time. All of the aforementioned like Brennan, DeGuzman, Tam, Pesch, et al have been good servants to the maple leaf. For Holger to question them is rediculous, but he's rediculous.

"How you get so big eating food of this kind" - Yoda

Jeffery S.

07-04-2003, 05:32 PM

Been mulling about the side for a few days now and as is the only absence that really bothers me is de Guzman. He really showed some amazing talent in the Germany game, he has a fine dribble, he can draw defenders into him and free up others. Love the tension he creates when he has the ball going forward. The kind of player we will miss given our on paper weak strike force.

I have a lot of faith in McKenna as he has almost always scored for us when he is up front. I think he can do damage vs. both of the first rivals (though CRica has some decent central defenders), since he was close to embarrassing the Germans assigned to him (Kicker gave his marker the worst rating of all their players). He has better technique than folks give him credit for, can hold up the ball, though his short passing is lacking a bit (could improve still I'd say). Loved the way a little chip put Stalteri home free vs. Germany in spite of Paul being just offside. Though in the end the goal vs. Germany he could have scored as a defender going forward for a free kick, I'd still play him up front, with Xausa, and have Stalteri follow them forward in the middle.

With McKenna it also makes sense to have a good crosser like Nash in there, though Hume could play in the same role as he did later on in the season for Tranmere, off hand forget the name of their striker, who I gather was fairly effective. Both right side I think. Without Brennan or Jazic we won't get too deep up the left I don't think, so that is where we can also be and should be stronger defending. So risk up the right and hope to be able to hold anyone coming at us up their left. Does Costa Rica have anyone particularly dangerous up their left wing?

What our team would be with the inclusion of Radzinski, a central axis of De Vos, Stalteri, Tomasz, nice. But not yet.

Make the ball run, so you don't have to.
-Johan Cruyff

George

07-04-2003, 09:03 PM

Holger is our manager, not the agent for Brennan, de Guzman, Tam, Pesch, et al. His top priority should be getting us to the next World Cup.

If I was in his place, I would be equally upset that these guys can’t see the importance of playing in the Gold Cup. The tournament itself might not be so prestigious, but the exercise is vital preparation for Germany. I don’t agree with Holger’s public venting, but we so rarely get to play and train together for long periods of time.

During our last WCQ campaign chemistry was one of our most obvious shortcomings. The flippant”I will be there for qualifying” remarks made by some makes me shudder in fear. It takes more than just showing up for qualifying. Remember how T&T and Panama both didn’t get the memo that our players were better so we should win!! Ughh!!

The club argument at this point of the season is silly. None of these players are at risk of losing their jobs!! We all saw JDG and Tam play, they have a lot of talent…they might suffer a little in the short term…but you can’t keep a good thing down!!

Plus, if we go to Germany and show well, the guys will benefit from the exposure.

"A pretty move, for the love of God."

Eduardo Galeano

Desigol

07-05-2003, 08:12 AM

quote:Originally posted by Andrew W

You're really asking a lot of Bent. :)

Silly me, I had him in twice. Well maybe Xausa in the middle. Thanks for reminding me. :D

You don't win friends with salad!

Canuck Oranje

07-05-2003, 08:15 AM

While I don't blame Holger for being a little frustrated, I find his comments, re: de Guzman and Nsaliwa, a little flippant at very least. While I suspect cultural differences here may be leading some on this board to misinterpret some venting for problems between players and coach, it was the coach, himself, who suggested that he might not call the younger players in Germany to the Gold Cup in earlier comments.

Bottomline is that WCQ has to be the top priority. For players like Nsaliwa and de Guzman, even their participation on the Olympic team may have to be sacrificed. Brasil has taken this approach with some of its younger players over the years. I don't recall whether young Dutch superstars of the past like Kluivert, Rijkaard, Gullit, Davids, Seedorf ever played for the Dutch Olympic team. I don't believe they did because of club commitments.

We are a small country in the soccer world. We have an added problems in that we have distance to contend with (between club location and country) and no home league. I think as a nation, we really need to focus on one tournament, the World Cup. All other tournaments need to be considered as development tournaments.

Yes, Holger's job is as a head coach of the Canadian National team. I know if I was in his position, I would be equally frustrated. But so long as he keeps his focus and continues to try to put the best team on the field possible for each tournament, he is doing that part of his job well enough. He needs to now focus on coaching the team he has for this tournament.

Re: Nsaliwa and de Guzman (and Fernandez and Canizalez probably), I suspect Holger had some significant influence getting them the teams they are with. Don't underestimate the power of personal networks. Remember this guy use to work for the DFB (probably knows every coach of significance in Germany) and was Beckenbauer's right hand man in 1990. We can quibble about some of his coaching decisions but I think the Canadian program has benefitted substantially from Holger's network. Seriously, do you think we would have got the game with Germany if Holger wasn't the coach?

Just some of my thoughts

quote:Originally posted by George

Holger is our manager, not the agent for Brennan, de Guzman, Tam, Pesch, et al. His top priority should be getting us to the next World Cup.

If I was in his place, I would be equally upset that these guys can’t see the importance of playing in the Gold Cup. The tournament itself might not be so prestigious, but the exercise is vital preparation for Germany. I don’t agree with Holger’s public venting, but we so rarely get to play and train together for long periods of time.

During our last WCQ campaign chemistry was one of our most obvious shortcomings. The flippant”I will be there for qualifying” remarks made by some makes me shudder in fear. It takes more than just showing up for qualifying. Remember how T&T and Panama both didn’t get the memo that our players were better so we should win!! Ughh!!

The club argument at this point of the season is silly. None of these players are at risk of losing their jobs!! We all saw JDG and Tam play, they have a lot of talent…they might suffer a little in the short term…but you can’t keep a good thing down!!

Plus, if we go to Germany and show well, the guys will benefit from the exposure.

"A pretty move, for the love of God."

Eduardo Galeano

Cheeta

07-05-2003, 11:54 AM

Sure am hoping Xausa has an excellent Gold Cup as he's playing for a job, but not at Livingston. Just spy'd that Dundee United's Derek Lilley has signed with Livi. Now as Xausa has been previously permited to talk with other clubs and the speedy Lilley just happens to play left forward I'd say this sort of amounts to the end of the end for David at Almondvale, especially with more signings on the horizon.

Read somewhere a Falkirk rumor but would be disappointed somewhat were Xausa to go down. Might land on his feet in Scotland yet as he's got a pretty good reputation and a lot of years ahead of him but wouldn't mind seeing the man back home next year, but that's a long way off.

"Minority of one"

07-05-2003, 03:09 PM

quote:Originally posted by Canuck Oranje

While I don't blame Holger for being a little frustrated, I find his comments, re: de Guzman and Nsaliwa, a little flippant at very least. .....

Re: Nsaliwa and de Guzman (and Fernandez and Canizalez probably), I suspect Holger had some significant influence getting them the teams they are with. Don't underestimate the power of personal networks.

Holger's connections have nothing to do with Tam and Julian joining those teams. Can't say either way for Fernandez or Canizales. Holger has had the youth teams in camps in Germany which I believe was where Canizales was scouted by Bremen. Fernandez was player of the tournament in a cup competition near Bremen, which had nothing to do with either Holger or the CSA last year which is probably where he was spotted.

Luis_Rancagua

07-05-2003, 03:10 PM

I viewed UK's Football-Tranfers website for any hot rumours on David Xausa, and it appears that Xausa may perhaps stay in Livingston after all. His name doesn't appear to be the target of any trade-offs to Falkirk nor any other club across the UK.
quote:Originally posted by Cheeta

Sure am hoping Xausa has an excellent Gold Cup as he's playing for a job, but not at Livingston. Just spy'd that Dundee United's Derek Lilley has signed with Livi. Now as Xausa has been previously permited to talk with other clubs and the speedy Lilley just happens to play left forward I'd say this sort of amounts to the end of the end for David at Almondvale, especially with more signings on the horizon.

Read somewhere a Falkirk rumor but would be disappointed somewhat were Xausa to go down. Might land on his feet in Scotland yet as he's got a pretty good reputation and a lot of years ahead of him but wouldn't mind seeing the man back home next year, but that's a long way off.

"Minority of one"

Jeffery S.

07-05-2003, 06:19 PM

quote:
Holger's connections have nothing to do with Tam and Julian joining those teams. Can't say either way for Fernandez or Canizales. Holger has had the youth teams in camps in Germany which I believe was where Canizales was scouted by Bremen. Fernandez was player of the tournament in a cup competition near Bremen, which had nothing to do with either Holger or the CSA last year which is probably where he was spotted.

I an say for Daniel that first off, you are right. He had two good games for Canada vs. Germany and then went for Oporto to a tournament and was voted best keeper, all in spring 2002. This is when he nailed a German agent, a fairly strong fellow who happens to have players in Bundesliga, at Ajax, knows Spain well enough.

Going to Celta Vigo may not have had to do with the agent though, as teams in that region of Spain watch Portuguese players closely, the language Gallego is essentially old Portuguese mixed with Spanish.

Dani simply wanted some playing time before the World Youth Cup and wasn't willing to wait things out at Celta. I think he erred, as his national team commitments are so great until Xmas that it is unreasonable to think he can hold down a starter's spot until then. In any case his agent went about looking for alternatives, and he also had other people offering him possible loans or transfers (one Spanish team that just promoted to 2nd division, for example). Simply put he was looking for games to help prepare the confidence factor before UAE in November. I hope he makes his way back to Celta Viga next season though, he is much better off there than in the reserve side of a 2nd Bundesliga team.

Make the ball run, so you don't have to.
-Johan Cruyff

The Ref

07-06-2003, 12:06 AM

With two more and the staff can field a team too! Holger can play sweeper. :D

Cheeta

07-06-2003, 03:35 PM

quote:Originally posted by Luis_Rancagua

I viewed UK's Football-Tranfers website for any hot rumours on David Xausa, and it appears that Xausa may perhaps stay in Livingston after all. His name doesn't appear to be the target of any trade-offs to Falkirk nor any other club across the UK.

David had his troubles finding the pitch last year as things were even though I think he didn't have too bad a campain but there's a new coach coming into Livingston and as Xausa's in Canada with his countrymen and not trying to impress the new Gaffer I'm guessing it's in David's mind that it's time to move through the door that's been left open for him by Livi and pursue other options. If worse comes to worse he can collect a paycheck from the sub's bench but I wouldn't want to make that a career myself.

Limited playing time last year. Allowed to talk to other clubs this year. Bringing in a new signing who plays your position (a player MINUTES away from going to Partick by the way). Yeah, my future's bright here. Says everthing. Kinda like the kid you trained leap frogging over you for a promotion. Thanks for the vote of confidense, boss.[xx(]

"Minority of one"

Cheeta

07-06-2003, 03:35 PM

Gordon

07-07-2003, 05:57 PM

quote:Originally posted by Jeffrey S.

I an say for Daniel that first off, you are right. He had two good games for Canada vs. Germany and then went for Oporto to a tournament and was voted best keeper, all in spring 2002. This is when he nailed a German agent, a fairly strong fellow who happens to have players in Bundesliga, at Ajax, knows Spain well enough.

Going to Celta Vigo may not have had to do with the agent though, as teams in that region of Spain watch Portuguese players closely, the language Gallego is essentially old Portuguese mixed with Spanish.

Dani simply wanted some playing time before the World Youth Cup and wasn't willing to wait things out at Celta. I think he erred, as his national team commitments are so great until Xmas that it is unreasonable to think he can hold down a starter's spot until then. In any case his agent went about looking for alternatives, and he also had other people offering him possible loans or transfers (one Spanish team that just promoted to 2nd division, for example). Simply put he was looking for games to help prepare the confidence factor before UAE in November. I hope he makes his way back to Celta Viga next season though, he is much better off there than in the reserve side of a 2nd Bundesliga team.

Make the ball run, so you don't have to.
-Johan Cruyff

Was Daniel feeling some pressure to get playing time from the Canadian camp? Is it pressure he is putting on himself, and did the experience he had at the Qualifying tournament have any influence on this? From your reports Jeffrey, it sounded like he had a good arrangement at Celta Viga and I find it tough to think that playing in the German 4th is a better gig for him.

The opinions expressed above are just that.

Jeffery S.

07-07-2003, 06:35 PM

quote:
Was Daniel feeling some pressure to get playing time from the Canadian camp? Is it pressure he is putting on himself, and did the experience he had at the Qualifying tournament have any influence on this? From your reports Jeffrey, it sounded like he had a good arrangement at Celta Viga and I find it tough to think that playing in the German 4th is a better gig for him.

Daniel was not keen about spending another year on the bench. The deal at Celta was good, and he was unlucky as the four keepers ahead of him were rarely injured or red-carded, so there were none of the typical breaks that keepers need to get a shot at starting and showing their stuff. Cavallero the Celta 1st team starter was the best in Spain this year, and oddly enough the keeper for Celta B, José Juan (Josiño), was one of the best in a division where Celta struggled to avoid relegation.

I think that Dan put the pressure on himself. He would often say that he didn't want to go the World Cup without playing regularly first, meaning he didn't want to face Brazil without the confidence that would give him. A personal challenge he wants to be able to live up to. Daniel is very honest, he didn't want the mere fact of having Celta Vigo beside his name be the merit point for starting in UAEmirates (honest too in praising his rivals, like the other keepers at Celta, or Srdjan Djekanovic who is in our pool for the under-20s as well). I don't think that what happened at qualifying hurt him that much in the end, if he'd played a bit more for Celta he would have gotten over it more quickly though.

I argued that with the Youth Cup in November he couldn't reasonably expect to play until December, as he would have to appear in some Canada camps (late August in the Soccer tournament in Houston, Vancouver in September, then friendlies vs. Panama and I think Colombia or maybe it's Costa Rica in October, then on to Turkey early mid November to play Turkey and possibly a European side also preparing there). I think he should have waited for a break at Celta, as it could mean something very special in the end. Maybe if he plays in Oberliga he'll have that confidence and be the leader at the back we need to make it through that tough first round at the Cup.

Make the ball run, so you don't have to.
-Johan Cruyff