Toronto FC: World Cup Edition - (no longer) featuring Team CANADA

[Twine Tickler]

I wasn’t born here and I would still cheer for Canada over anyone. It’s funny to see people cheering for other countries when they were not even born there or been there. Is it not cool to be a proud Canadian?

Ya I mean there is an element of that for sure. Wasn't exactly cool to be cheering for the Dwayne De Rosario and Craig Forrest lead squads of the early 2000's. It's really not a disrespect to them, Canadians just never had an opportunity to cheer for those guys on a global stage. I remember when we won the Gold Cup in 2000. That was a big deal, but it was kind of a fluke and the ultimate Cinderella story. There wasn't much of a buzz around Canada Soccer beyond that tournament.

The World Cup is the biggest sports event on the planet, and it was never even close to a possibility until this new generation of talent came about. Even when you think of a former dual national like Owen Hargraves who never even gave any consideration to playing for his birth country. Of course it's hard to blame him. He would have never made the world cup in his life had he not played for England. But at the end of the day, it takes a guy like Alphonso to change the landscape of soccer in our country. We have so many dual nationals on our team now. Something that would have never happened before.

I suspect a lot of kids playing soccer now have a dream of representing Canada now because of this team. Something that was never even a thought when I played growing up lol. It was always "I want to play on Man-U"...etc

Canada is not going anywhere. We are a country full of immigrants with a love of the game. With the cost of living being the way it is, and more importantly the ludicrous cost of Hockey in this country at this current point, Soccer is only slowly taking over as many households primary sport.

 

[willmma]

Does TSN have replays of matches? Obviously hard to watch live because of the times.

Yes. I checked and I can watch replays

 

[GoonieFace]

Canada hasn't been in the World Cup since 1986. Who would it have been acceptable for Canadians to cheer for?

I was referring to this years event, where I know a lot of people will be cheering for another country against Canada.

 

[GoonieFace]

Ya I mean there is an element of that for sure. Wasn't exactly cool to be cheering for the Dwayne De Rosario and Craig Forrest lead squads of the early 2000's. It's really not a disrespect to them, Canadians just never had an opportunity to cheer for those guys on a global stage. I remember when we won the Gold Cup in 2000. That was a big deal, but it was kind of a fluke and the ultimate Cinderella story. There wasn't much of a buzz around Canada Soccer beyond that tournament.

The World Cup is the biggest sports event on the planet, and it was never even close to a possibility until this new generation of talent came about. Even when you think of a former dual national like Owen Hargraves who never even gave any consideration to playing for his birth country. Of course it's hard to blame him. He would have never made the world cup in his life had he not played for England. But at the end of the day, it takes a guy like Alphonso to change the landscape of soccer in our country. We have so many dual nationals on our team now. Something that would have never happened before.

I suspect a lot of kids playing soccer now have a dream of representing Canada now because of this team. Something that was never even a thought when I played growing up lol. It was always "I want to play on Man-U"...etc

Canada is not going anywhere. We are a country full of immigrants with a love of the game. With the cost of living being the way it is, and more importantly the ludicrous cost of Hockey in this country at this current point, Soccer is only slowly taking over as many households primary sport.

My daughter plays high level soccer and she is so excited for this. It’s definitely a turning point for this sport, like basketball when the Raptors came in

 

[willmma]

I think Argentina vs Saudi will be a rated X romp tomorrow morning

 

[AcerComputer]

Hopefully England finally do it this year. Just like the Leafs.

 

[ItalianLeaf]

Hopefully England finally do it this year. Just like the Leafs.

England will never do it just like the leafs

 

[AcerComputer]

England will never do it just like the leafs

I know.

 

[BayStBullies]

Edit: That Argentina game was certainly something. They continue to disappoint at the world stage.

 

[ACC1224]

I think Argentina vs Saudi will be a rated X romp tomorrow morning

Hope you didn't have money on that.

 

[MarMarSab3]

Edit: That Argentina game was certainly something. They continue to disappoint at the world stage.

Messi only wins when he's surrounded by superstars, Goat my arse

 

[ACC1224]

Messi only wins when he's surrounded by superstars, Goat my arse

Just finished watching, reminded me a bit of the Leafs/Habs series a few years ago.
One team just wanted it way more.

 

[MarMarSab3]

Just finished watching, reminded me a bit of the Leafs/Habs series a few years ago.
One team just wanted it way more.

Credit to KSA they held them well

 

[al secord]

Canada hasn't been in the World Cup since 1986. Who would it have been acceptable for Canadians to cheer for?

It's not like I had much choice lol

 

[ItalianLeaf]

its the blue and white disease I tell ya

 

[Maestro84]

Canada hasn't been in the World Cup since 1986. Who would it have been acceptable for Canadians to cheer for?

My whole family cheers for England (dad side from UK and mom side from Hong Kong, so yeah all are lifelong ENG supports), so I rebelled and decided to cheer for Spain instead my gf is Italian so you could imagine how intense it is every time Spain takes on Italy lol

Crazy part is, Spain could meet Canada in R16 if the stars align

 

[Rude Dog]

Hoping Canada makes a name for themselves vs Belgium. They are skilled, tough and athletic. I don’t see this as a blowout like many are expecting. Both teams have game breakers. Can’t wait. Huge test of reality 12 hours away. I think (maybe hope) Canada surprises.

 

[Gabriel426]

Ya I mean there is an element of that for sure. Wasn't exactly cool to be cheering for the Dwayne De Rosario and Craig Forrest lead squads of the early 2000's. It's really not a disrespect to them, Canadians just never had an opportunity to cheer for those guys on a global stage. I remember when we won the Gold Cup in 2000. That was a big deal, but it was kind of a fluke and the ultimate Cinderella story. There wasn't much of a buzz around Canada Soccer beyond that tournament.

The World Cup is the biggest sports event on the planet, and it was never even close to a possibility until this new generation of talent came about. Even when you think of a former dual national like Owen Hargraves who never even gave any consideration to playing for his birth country. Of course it's hard to blame him. He would have never made the world cup in his life had he not played for England. But at the end of the day, it takes a guy like Alphonso to change the landscape of soccer in our country. We have so many dual nationals on our team now. Something that would have never happened before.

I suspect a lot of kids playing soccer now have a dream of representing Canada now because of this team. Something that was never even a thought when I played growing up lol. It was always "I want to play on Man-U"...etc

Canada is not going anywhere. We are a country full of immigrants with a love of the game. With the cost of living being the way it is, and more importantly the ludicrous cost of Hockey in this country at this current point, Soccer is only slowly taking over as many households primary sport.

I remembered TC winning the GoldCup. Like you said, it was a fluke. I think most Canadians didn’t even know what the Gold Cup is, myself included.

I think Christine Sinclair is someone who are still under appreciated. To me it was her and the Women’s team who got Canada excited about football. At her peak, she was the Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar. I think she still holds the record for the most International goals for both men and women.

Anyhow, it is very different now compare to the Gold Cup and even if they don’t score a goal in the WC, Davis and the boys had done very well and I think more kids will play football over baseball in the summer from now on.

 

[Anthrax442]

Is there a good link or where the games are shown.. ?

 

[rocketman588]

Excited for it today at the very least we're going to go for it and make it a fight

(Possibly literally we got into almost one brawl a game)

Have speed and top end forwards which makes a difference

 

[fancy lad]

I think Saudi Arabia is giving us a little hope.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Hoping Canada makes a name for themselves vs Belgium. They are skilled, tough and athletic. I don’t see this as a blowout like many are expecting. Both teams have game breakers. Can’t wait. Huge test of reality 12 hours away. I think (maybe hope) Canada surprises.

100% this. Belgium is very good but I think people just don't realize how good Canada is. I always say that the betting lines are a good starting point for discussion - not 100% accurate but usually pretty damn close and according to what they say, of course Belgium is the favorite but the odds of Canada getting at least a tie aren't bad at all. And not sure what the odds were this morning for Morocco vs Croatia but they were probably in the same ballpark and that ended in a tie. I like Canada's chances, we'll see what happens.

Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Belgium are -210 favorites (risk $210 to win $100) in the latest Belgium vs. Canada odds from Caesars Sportsbook. Canada are +575 underdogs, a draw is priced at +325, and the over/under for total goals scored is 2.5.

 

[fancy lad]

100% this. Belgium is very good but I think people just don't realize how good Canada is. I always say that the betting lines are a good starting point for discussion - not 100% accurate but usually pretty damn close and according to what they say, of course Belgium is the favorite but the odds of Canada getting at least a tie aren't bad at all. And not sure what the odds were this morning for Morocco vs Croatia but they were probably in the same ballpark and that ended in a tie. I like Canada's chances, we'll see what happens.

Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Belgium are -210 favorites (risk $210 to win $100) in the latest Belgium vs. Canada odds from Caesars Sportsbook. Canada are +575 underdogs, a draw is priced at +325, and the over/under for total goals scored is 2.5.

Belgium is a top 5 team in the world. I don't know what their FIFA ranking is and i don't usually put too much stock into that. (i just opened a new window and checked. They're number 2 LOL). Just check their roster... they are sooooo deep and have so many top players. A guy like Leandro Trossard... not exactly a household name, but he's a beast and scores regularly in the EPL.

We're in so tough with this one. Our qaulity just doesn't compare.

I'm hopeful because i like our team a lot as a fan. And upsets happen case in point Saudi Arabia, but something more realistic might be a repeat of france australia.

Either way I'm rooting hard for Canada, Come on you reds.

 

[TMLeafer]

Today is the day folks!!

 

[TheTotalPackage]

I was so tempted to keep the kids home from school today (at least my son is home sick). We're not much of a soccer watching household, but I understand the importance and significance of this. Particularly when I told them this is the first World Cup game for Canada in 36 years.

Can't wait for 2 pm!