The 2014 FIFA World Cup may still be over a year and a half away, but the Canadian men’s soccer team’s hopes – or better yet, dreams – of qualifying for the tournament could be determined in the next week.
Canada's upcoming games against Cuba and Honduras will decide whether it moves on to the third and final stage of qualifying, or whether it’s sent home packing. Again.
It’s been over 82 years since the first World Cup was played in Montevideo, Uruguay, and Canada hasn’t appeared in the tournament since 1986 in Mexico.
It was the first and only time the team has done so.
Canada hasn’t had much of a sniff at it since then, so there’s no doubting the importance of the upcoming games. But whether or not it manages to sneak into the tournament, Canada needs to start thinking long term.
Although the prospect of qualifying for soccer’s most prestigious tournament should always be a goal, Canada has been wallowing in mediocrity with its current core of players for far too long.
An overhaul is much overdue.
In its disappointing 2-0 loss to Panama Sept. 12, Canada’s starting lineup had an average age of 30 years old. It was already fighting an uphill battle.
The best teams in the world, such as Spain and Germany, have proven to be successful with squads in their mid-20s. Of course, these powerhouse soccer nations have more young talent to choose from, but Canada should still follow the model they’ve established.
It’s time to abandon ship and build a new one. Bring in some fresh blood, give them opportunities to play in important games, and let them grow together for the future.
Realistically, the Canadian men’s national team should be building towards the 2026 World Cup. Given that the CONCACAF region, which encompasses North America, Central America and the Caribbean, hasn’t hosted the tournament since 1994, Mexico, the United States, or even Canada could be in line to do so come 2026.
Canadian Soccer Association president Victor Montagliani confirmed in July that he has every intention of putting in a formal bid. Whether or not that bid is successful, there’s a very good chance the tournament will be held close to home.
What better time to arrive on the world scene with a competitive squad this country can be proud of?
With 2026 still a way off, there’s plenty of time to get this right. And that cannot be done without finding a new head coach.
Aside from a brief stint as head coach in 2007, Stephen Hart has been with the Canadian men’s national team since 2009. He’s experienced some successes, but his overall tenure as head coach hasn’t exactly inspired confidence.
Hart may not be the problem, but neither is he the solution.
Sometimes, a fresh voice and a fresh philosophy can make a world of difference. Take Canada’s women’s soccer team, for example.
After a disastrous 2011 Women’s World Cup in which Canada finished last in the 16-team tournament – equal in points with Equatorial Guinea – the CSA hired John Herdman to take the reins. And it worked.
Although most will remember Christine Sinclair’s sheer dominance that led Canada to bronze at the 2012 Olympic Games, she has more than once credited Herdman for the team’s turn around.
At age 37, Herdman is young, charismatic, and innovative. He’s someone who the players want to play for – someone who inspires.
The men need to find their Herdman (finding their Sinclair wouldn’t hurt, either).
Of course, a coach like him won’t appear out of thin air. They don’t grow on trees. But if the CSA got it right once, who’s to say they can’t do it again?
A new coach and a new crop of players won’t result in immediate success.
Canadians may have to accept watching a sub-par team for the next round of World Cup qualifiers, and maybe even the ones after that.
But if that’s the price to pay for fielding a competitive team down the road, then it’s worth every penny.
At this point, there’s really nothing to lose – but so much to gain.