FIFA commitee in Canada

[masster]

quote:Originally posted by Grizzly

Canadian Soccer Association COO Kevan Pipe says 20 exhibition matches have already been planned for Canada's side in preparation for the championship.

I wonder if that is including those already played or is actually 20 from now until the tournament. Let's hope that before the next WCQ that the CSA has a similar brain storm idea that a lot of friendlies is good preparation before important tournaments.

I had the chance to speak with Kevan Pipe during his site visit of Swangard over the weekend and I asked him about the schedule for the U-20 team leading up to the tournament. He said that Dale Mitchell chose to take November off to allow the players to stay with their clubs. He said there will be two camps in December and January in the States and perhaps in South America for those available players. I remember that Dale took a group of players to Mexico last year (was it the Chivas tournament?), perhaps they are looking at this again. Pipe said that 2 games are confirmed during the international break in March although they have not announced this yet. He also reiterated the importance of this group having to follow the international calender if they want to get players such as Edgar, Peters and Johnson released. Finally, he said from the end of the European season til June 23rd (one week before the tournament starts) they hope to get in another 5 games. He said that Dale was very happy with the preperation that the team is getting and they will be ready.

So the comment about 20 games includes those played up to this point.

[loyola]

I guess he's speaking of international games, this group of players as already played in 12 international friendly:

Norway
China
Portugal
Brazil (3)
USA (2)
Belgium (2)
Czech Republic 2)

They've also played 5 games against EPL and CCC U-18/19 side last year and the Chivas Cup (I think we've played 4).

Adding 8 games would be good but I hope for more in January or February.

[loyola]

quote:Originally posted by Rudi

quote:Originally posted by Ed

The question still stands. Where would they have played? The article is expressing a certain amount of well-earned bitterness at the CSA for making Edmonton, the number 1 city in Canada for Canada home games, suffer at the expense of the GTA.

If by 'suffer at the expense of the GTA', you mean 'will get two of the three Canada matches', then you have a point.

Exactly, and if Canada finish 1st in their group they'll play in Edmonton until the semi-final. Yeah suffering.......

I guess Edmonton has a permanent right to hold all important game that will be play in Canada.

[Rudi]

quote:Originally posted by loyola

I guess Edmonton has a permanent right to hold all important game that will be play in Canada.

That does seem to be the feeling coming from the Edmonton organizers.

[Daniel]

quote:Originally posted by loyola

Exactly, and if Canada finish 1st in their group they'll play in Edmonton until the semi-final. Yeah suffering.......

I guess Edmonton has a permanent right to hold all important game that will be play in Canada.

Actually, if Canada finish 1st, they play their second round in Edmonton, 1/4 in Montreal and semi + final in Toronto.

If they finish 2nd, they go Edmonton-Toronto-Edmonton-Toronto.

If they finish 3rd and go through, they play at Swangard, Edmonton, Edmonton, Toronto.