Soccer Blogger from Montreal
The long awaited new season of the Canadian Premier League is finally here after it was announced that the competition will be kicking off on April 27 in Hamilton and the fans are so excited at the news.
April 27, that is the day the inaugural edition of the Canadian Premier League will kick off and it is a day that will live long in the minds of Canadians.
Continue reading “CANADIAN PREMIER LEAGUE UNDERWAY”
Alphonso Davies, the teenage midfielder, has now become the youngest man to win the award of Soccer Player of this Year in men’s category in Canada. Davies was chosen as the winner through voting by the coaches & media of Canada.
Atiba Hutchinson, the midfielder of Besiktas, who was winning the award for the last 4 years emerged as the runner-up and he was followed by the midfielder of Toronto FC, Jonathan Osorio who was 3rd, goalkeeper of Red Star Belgrade, Milan Burhan – 4th, and midfielder of Glasgow Rangers, Scott Arfield finished 5th. Continue reading “Alphonso Davies: Player of The Year”
A change of the guard is taking place with the men soccer team of Canada with Scott Arfield who would take over as a captain permanently from Atiba Hutchinson. Arfield would lead the Canadians who are ranked 17th against No 177 Dominica at BMO Field. Arfield had left practicing early Sunday and won around 13 caps for Canada after he made his first appearance in 2016. The 35 year old Atiba Hutchinson is undoubtedly the best soccer player and is a key figure in Canada’s camp. Hutchinson has seen a lot be in 78 caps, Europa League and or Champions play under his belt. However, when it comes to his career he is into the twilight and may consider international game post 2019 Gold Cup.
The coach John Herdman handed over the armband to the 29 year old Arfield but post talking to Hutchinson as his participation was last seen with the national team in 2017. As far as Arfield and Hutchinson is concerned, they really know how to balance each other off well. Atiba is quiet and reflective although he is focused into everything whereas Scott has a lot of positive energy in him and is also vocal at the same time. Herdman feels that he has got a good balance. Dejan Jakovic, the Los Angeles FC defender was appointed as a captain for the first game of Herdman at the men’s helm in 1-0 win against New Zealand in Spain in the month of March.
Continue reading “The Goodness Of Herdman As A Coach”
In the recent record-setting transfer deal, Alphonso Davies was the target in a Nike ad. He plays the biggest role to help Canada make it to the FIFA World Cup 2022. Nike recently released an ad and the narration was done by Colin Kaepernick, the activist and football player. The prime focus here was on the determination. Kaepernick said in the ad that if you are born as a refugee, it should not come in the way of playing soccer nationally at the age of 16. This was in reference to the young player Davies.
Davies is in Florida for training for the Concacaf Nations League with Canada against US Virgin Islands. The head coach of the Canada soccer Men National team, John Herdman has only heard about the ad during the training sessions. Herdman said he is proud of Davies and feels that their good time is coming back. He was quite happy with the way Davies spoke at the FIFA congress. The coach has played with several players, but they get paralyzed through weak performances or through mistakes. As far as Davies is concerned, he just looks forward to playing and has confidence. Herdman also said that his pace while on the pitch is amazing.
Continue reading “Alphonso Davies Makes Waves In The World Of Soccer”
Bev Priestman decides to leave Canada Soccer as she is all set to join the English women’s team as an assistant coach. He played a significant role to help from soccer talent of young women in Canada. As per Football Association of England, Priestman who is a native of England has been working with John Herdman, the Canadian men’s coach with head coach Phil Neville. The multiple roles of Priestman in Canada Soccer also include being the director of the EXCEL development program for people from 15 to 23 of age groups., the head coach under-20 women’s team and assistant coach for senior women.
In recent times, she assisted as a coach to a berth in the Canadian FIFA under-17 World Cup for Women through a 3rd place finish at CONCACAF Under-17 Women’s Championship. She would be leaving Canada after 5 and half years and will certainly go with special memories. She said that this is right time that she moves on and wished the staff and players’ great success. Priestman also said that she would be grateful for life for her involvement. She was working with Everton as well as FA prior to her movement in New Zealand. There she was with Herdman and now the English women are in 4th place which one place ahead of Canada. She is overjoyed as she moves to her new post to assist her teammates. Priestman is hopeful that they will soon be in the top position considering the caliber of women. She looks forward to support Phil as well as the team to help assist them as a better coach through her experiences.
Continue reading “Priestman To Join English Women Team”
Canada soccer official Peter Montopoli has just one more visit to make as he promotes the joint North America World Cup bid. Montopoli is headed to Gibraltar to continue garnering support for the combined Canadian, Mexican and US joint bid for the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
The joint effort is leaving no stone unturned in its bid to outdo Morocco, its rival in the process. Both sides have the capacity to ensure a hitch free World Cup after Qatar 2022. Both sides make an equally convincing argument as to why they should get the nod. However, the FIFA Congress will decide the winner next week, ahead of the start of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Continue reading “CANADA SOCCER OFFICIAL MAKES FINAL TOUR STOP”
Florent Malouda says Didier Drogba was just a lippy unknown when he first shared a dressing room with him. Drogba, despite a recent loan spell, has become one of the most feared strikers in the world. But winger Malouda reveals that, when they first met in French football, he upset their team-mates with his bossy attitude.
“Didier arrived at Guingamp during the winter transfer market,” said Malouda. “We had a bit of a crisis and had to sign a player to save the club. The manager gambled on Didier. No one knew who he was. They asked, ‘Didier Drogba, who’s he? Where does he play? Continue reading “Malouda: Drogba Was Always Lippy”
Former coach of the Canadian women program John Herdman is set to take over the men’s program. He was named the replacement following the sack of Octavio Zambrano last March. His formal title is national team head coach and men’s excel director.
The shock announcement came on Monday, with the Canadian Soccer Association chief Steve Reed claiming it was “an organizational decision.” Fans reacted as expected, wishing Herdman well but expressing their shock and disappointment in such a move.
Continue reading “HERDMAN TAKES OVER CANADA’S MEN’S SOCCER TEAM”
Canada soccer team will be playing a friendly game against El Salvador that will be hosted in Houston later this month. The Canadian Soccer Federation has stated that a part of the proceeds of the match will be donated to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
At the same time, this will allow the Canada team to get some practice and evaluate themselves. Canada has won their last competitive game 2-0 against Jamaica and will want to test themselves against another quarter-finalist of the last Gold Cup.