Canada B Team

[Max]

Should we have B Team?
And if yes.
Who should be a coach?
Whom should we play?

[youllneverwalkalone]

Realistically, we seem to be strapped funding an A-Team; but I'd like to see a few guys who are doing well in Germany and still young enough to keep progessing up the levels:

Janiel Hoilett
Justin Maheu
Kevin Cobby
Srdjan Gajic
Graham Fisher

I'd give Rafa Carbajal a chance to manage.

[Lurker]

At what point do we start the B team? Not in the Starting 11? Not on bench? Not in the last camp? Not called in the last 6 months?

[jpg75]

This discussion was had years ago and my opinion remains the same - we cannot afford a "B" team. We can't even afford to properly fund an "A" team so why remove resources from the "A" team or our youth teams (we can't even fund a respectable U23 program FFS). If faced with the decision of having a camp for the NT before the Panama games or playing a B team game then i think the decision is pretty easy.

[gator]

This discussion was had years ago and my opinion remains the same - we cannot afford a "B" team. We can't even afford to properly fund an "A" team so why remove resources from the "A" team or our youth teams (we can't even fund a respectable U23 program FFS). If faced with the decision of having a camp for the NT before the Panama games or playing a B team game then i think the decision is pretty easy.

I'm not saying we should play B friendlies at the expense of other programs, I just think they can be useful if the timing and situation was right! Herts and Millwall were over for a pre season tour and we put together a B Team to play against them, at least 2 players became regulars on our full National Team so you might say it was worth it! How much could it cost to put these matches together anyway?

[jpg75]

I'm not saying we should play B friendlies at the expense of other programs, I just think they can be useful if the timing and situation was right! Herts and Millwall were over for a pre season tour and we put together a B Team to play against them, at least 2 players became regulars on our full National Team so you might say it was worth it! How much could it cost to put these matches together anyway?

Well i'm not saying don't play B team games, just that if you do to make sure you fund them through some magic don't-pay-a-cent event.

[Roger miller]

This discussion was had years ago and my opinion remains the same - we cannot afford a "B" team. We can't even afford to properly fund an "A" team so why remove resources from the "A" team or our youth teams (we can't even fund a respectable U23 program FFS). If faced with the decision of having a camp for the NT before the Panama games or playing a B team game then i think the decision is pretty easy.

Yes, there is no example anywhere around the world of an actual "B" team. Coaches just called up who is available and at times, some or many of the best or some of the best aren't available. Or, they may want to specifically look at a certain player(s) who are not yet in the first team picture. Fans will say that this is a B or C team depending of view point. B teams or c teams are not a formal thing. We have a U23 side, so that's pretty much what you might refer to a B side.

Brazil might be the only to have this but no one will ever admit it. No coach or FA will ever goes into friendly or tournament and say "we are sending a B team". I would guess that that would be insulting the hosts or opponents in a friendly, "For you guys, we will be fielding our B team". Creating sides just specifically to give playing time to a Joe Bro is kind of redundant.

Best example might be Copa America in Colombia. None of the sides sent all of their best players. They sent who was available. You can call it what you will, B sides, C sides , B+ sides etc.

[ThiKu]

In a perfect world, yes, we should. But for me the funding priorities re: the men programs have to be the "A" team and the u20's, or u17's. The u23's of course should get the bigger piece of the pie in the 1 year prior to their qualifying tournament but otherwise it's gotta be the younger teams getting loads of the focus.

A "B" team would be great - who gets selected for the B team would swing wildly. You couldn't approach it from a specific selection process. You bring in the guys who have shown significant "A" potential regardless of age and where they are playing.

[Roger miller]

A "B" team would be great - who gets selected for the B team would swing wildly. You couldn't approach it from a specific selection process.

I am trying to imagine how that conversation between B team coach and player might go.

Coach: Congratulations Son! you have made it onto our B team roster

Player: Wow! That's great coach. I am really looking forward to playing for and representing my country at the World cup and all the other important tournament. Its dream Come true.

Coach: Well, only our A team gets to play in the WORLD CUP, qualifying matches, and the Gold cup.

Player: Oh, i see

Coach: Anyways, we have friendly scheduled against lower Slobovia three week from today. I am looking to you to strengthen our bench.

Player: O shucks. I just remember now. I have to get my hair cut on that exact day. Sorry, can make it.

[madmonte]

Yes, there is no example anywhere around the world of an actual "B" team. Coaches just called up who is available and at times, some or many of the best or some of the best aren't available. Or, they may want to specifically look at a certain player(s) who are not yet in the first team picture. Fans will say that this is a B or C team depending of view point. B teams or c teams are not a formal thing. We have a U23 side, so that's pretty much what you might refer to a B side.

Brazil might be the only to have this but no one will ever admit it. No coach or FA will ever goes into friendly or tournament and say "we are sending a B team". I would guess that that would be insulting the hosts or opponents in a friendly, "For you guys, we will be fielding our B team". Creating sides just specifically to give playing time to a Joe Bro is kind of redundant.

Best example might be Copa America in Colombia. None of the sides sent all of their best players. They sent who was available. You can call it what you will, B sides, C sides , B+ sides etc.

This is about what I was going to type. Thanks for saving me time.