Canada vs Costa Rica WCQ Semi-Final Fri Nov 5 7:00PM EST

[Vic]

We are in the opener of the semi-doubleheader Friday. Game is at 7:00PM EST, the nightcap at 10:00PM is USA/Mexico.

We are 3-0 in games against the Costa Ricans, all World Cup qualifiers. We've also never surrendered a goal. In Haiti in 1991 it was 6-0, 2-0 in Etobicoke in '98 and 3-0 in Victoria in 2002.

The Costa Ricans are a young team with an average age of 21.3 to Canada's 24.6

[The Ref]

I wonder if Morace will play Stephanie Labbe in goal againts the Ticas.

[mtlfan]

I wonder if Morace will play Stephanie Labbe in goal againts the Ticas.

I would like to see that but I am sure she will not.

[Ed]

Why tool with a winning lineup for the most important game this team will play within the next four years?????

[terpfan68]

Yes, didn't the American coach try that awhile back?

[Vic]

The Americans and Canadians have been cycling to try and keep the wear and tear down. The only field players to play a full 90 in each game are the central defenders for consistency (Chapman and Rampone) and the marquis goalscorers to up their stats (Wambach and Sinclair). It will be interesting to see how they all holdup in their fifth games Monday.

I think 3 games in 4 days in group is a bit much for the women. The men play 3 in 7 and it seems a lot more conducive to performance and not bench strength.

[Ed]

The Americans and Canadians have been cycling to try and keep the wear and tear down. The only field players to play a full 90 in each game are the central defenders for consistency (Chapman and Rampone) and the marquis goalscorers to up their stats (Wambach and Sinclair). It will be interesting to see how they all holdup in their fifth games Monday.

I think 3 games in 4 days in group is a bit much for the women. The men play 3 in 7 and it seems a lot more conducive to performance and not bench strength.

Well aside from the gimme vs Guatemala our lineup has been pretty consistent. No way you put the backup GK in for Friday IMHO.

[Vic]

I believe the Americans have gone with Barnhart every game. We are very fortunate to have about 10 great goalkeepers in our women's programs, and Stephanie Labbé is very talented. But we are also very fortunate to have one of the best goalkeepers in the world. And not just technical execution and experience, she has a ton of presence. If we are ever to produce any significant results, she will be a big part of them.

I've been watching AC Milan and Real Madrid and you can say what you want about women's soccer, virtually all the players honour the game. It's ironic how men flop and flaunt and fake and whine like babies and are accused of "playing like girls." Perhaps if they watched more women's soccer they'd upgrade their lingo. The crowning glory of the first half was Cristiano Ronaldo (in his pretty pink boots) clutching his hands to his eyes and doing a couple of rolls when he was brushed lightly in the chest.

[mtlfan]

latest odds


Nov 05 Canada Women v Costa Rica Women 1.12 6.50 15.00

[Vic]

I was completely scooped by Richard Scott of the CSA who corrected the FIFA Head-to-Head count of three with six games against Costa Rica in the CSA logs... (I really should have known better and checked there). He also worked in Winners and Teck, good skills:

"Canada, whose title sponsor is Winners and presenting sponsor is Teck, has met Costa Rica six times previously, all in CONCACAF tournaments since 1991. Canada has won all six encounters and outscored its opponent 18-1. Costa Rica, however, has improved in recent years. Two years ago, the two sides were separated by just one goal, albeit still a Canada 1:0 win in the group phase of the 2008 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Football Tournament."