Two awfully important games

The games against Honduras and Guatemala are actually quite exciting. There story lines are great. 


Canada got the win against Cuba and has momentum, but the match is against an opponent with whom there is a lot of history, both good (1984) and bad (2008). I really hope the Voyageurs, other fan groups and the CSA have managed to sell a lot of tickets to Canada supporters, which will give a boost to the team and help them get a win as this will almost surely give them a place in the hexagonal. Because the 4th place team will play an OFC team this means that CONCACAF is almost ensured 4 team in the World Cup. If Canada can finish at least 4th in the hexagonal, they really should be able to beat any OFC team and accordingly a win tonight will put them on the path towards Brazil 2014.


USA is under a lot more pressure. This is the first time EVER Klinsmann is coaching in World Cup qualifiers anywhere and I just hope that he doesn't underestimate the psychological  pressure of Central American games. I don't fear that the US won't get to the World Cup, but if Klinsmann underestimates these game, it is a real risk.


I think that this is one of the most important World Cup (and qualifiers) in a long, long time for soccer in the US and Canada. Because the World Cup is in Brazil, the games will be in prime time, meaning that two national teams have a unique opportunity to showcase themselves to the soccer fans in their countries that are not supporting them yet. This can really be a step forward for soccer in both countries and in a way it all starts tonight. Canada will get a A LOT closer to the World Cup by beating Honduras and Klinsmann needs to show he respects CONCACAF and he is able to apply his system and style of play under tough circumstances.

MLS withdrawal

When I started this blog I had set I rule for myself, that I'd limit how much I'd write about European soccer. I'll break that rule a little bit today.


MLS is on international break. This is tough. Its actually worse than the off-season. In the off-season there are friendlies, trade rumours and all sorts. Now its all nothing.


Being Danish and Denmark being at Euro 2012, I'll admit to being interested in the tournament, but to be honest it doesn't fill the gap. I'm passionate about Denmark and when we beat the Dutch I was dancing in the streets of Copenhagen along with many others, but I've come to realize how big a part of my life MLS and North American soccer have become. 


Yes, I think more about how the Whitecaps are able to keep that many offensive players happy, while rotating them, than about where Didier Drogba goes (unless it is MLS ) or whether or not France gets out the group. Don't get my wrong, I'm a soccer junkie, I DO care where Drogba goes and I've watched most of the Euro 2012 games, but I seriously need my fix and the only thing, that really does it is MLS.


At least there is the USA and Canada games.


Allez les rouges.
Go USA go.

"And now for something completely different"

Hey. So there are some soccer games to be played today right? There are four awesome games today. The World Cup qualifiers are kicking off tonight and as a warm UEFA was nice enough to schedule the EUROs right before. But with traditional disregard of Canada they scheduled a game, which collides with Canada's game.


What will I be doing tonight? I have the pesky thing called a social life and I made the mistake of failing to cancel this over the next two weeks. So I will probably miss all four games, though I'd might have a chance of catching parts or all of the US game if the party sucks. 


Because of this risk of collision between social life and soccer fandom, I quite like midweek games because being a student with an ability to totally disregard, societal conventions of daily rhythm, there are less clashes with midweek games than weekend games.

"Here I stand; I can do no otherwise"

So. Winter out, Mariner to the bench. What to say. While still passionate about the club, it becoming increasingly hard to have a strong reaction about front office changes. With Winter's record its not surprising that he ended up getting fired. 

I just hope MLSE and the front office have a strategy, whatever it is. I don't care if its idealistic or pragmatic; 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. Heck it could be a 1-8-1 for my liking as long as they win. The only thing I want is direct play. I dislike passive play, and I want players going forward, fighting for the win.

If that is what Mariner will bring, then wonderful. My only wish is for MLSE to make sure that they find a strategy and an identity for the team, so they ensure that players developed in the academy fits with the first team. This is why I chose the quote in the header. With such a turnover in the front office and the management, all you can do as a fan now is hope that this is finally the time they get it right.

10 freakin years. How to make a young man feel old

Oh dear. Its actually been 10 years since this obsession of mine started. I remember 10 years ago. I was 15, living with my parents and because of the time difference I could wake up every morning and watch soccer. I remember turning on the TV and watching the game, while getting dressed and all of a sudden O'Brien scored and I was like: "WHAT? Aren't Portugal supposed to beat the crap out of these guys?" I watched the entire game and I was amazed. This lead me to following the team for the rest of the tournament and after that my attention turned to MLS and that is how it all started.

North American soccer and my fascination thereof have followed from boyhood to manhood and it has become a big part of who I am and how I spend my time. Its been one heck of a ride and I look forward to the next 10 years and hopefully this will include new record setting performances by the US in the World Cup and a new appearance by Canada in that tournament.

CAN-USA post game comments

I actually really like this game. I can't really complain about the fact that it was a tie. But I have to admit I was sorta hoping for Canada goal in the end. They fought hard, shut down the US team and played with grit and passion. I quite like soccer played that way.


Ricketts was amazing and really showed the defensive limitations of Castillo. Both goalkeepers played well. Lots of chances for both teams.


In the end the result for useful for both teams. Canada proved that they can fight their way to a result (could have won if not the the referee) and the US got a reminder of the playing style of CONCACAF opposition. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think Klinsmann has a better track record against non-CONCACAF teams.

Something about the soccer game tonight

Having come off a 4-day binge celebrating the hand-in of my bachelor thesis (on financial regulation in European soccer), I'm now faced with a tough choice: do I support Canada or the US tonight?

I guess it can be compared to choosing between two very loved adopted children. It's hard. Considering many of my page views are Canadian and American (expect for the two Russian spam bots, let's call them Yuri and Dimitri) many of you will have a diverse heritage and will know how it feels having emotions invested multiple places.

Considering it is a test match and all, I'll be a chicken and just hope for a good match. Though because it's a special game for the Canadians I'll probably be extra happy if they get a good result.