The 19th century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche is often credited with reviving the idea of “eternal recurrence,” the hypothetical notion that events, choices, decisions, are destined to endlessly repeat for all time, to infinity. He called the idea “horrifying and paralyzing,” concepts no doubt well-known to supporters of the Canadian mens national soccer team, who watched in (very) familiar horror as Canada drew Panama 1-1, effectively eliminating them from the Gold Cup (the USA took care of the rest by beating Guadeloupe 1-0).
Having studied Canadian soccer history since its inception in the 1870s, I can safely say Canada has been content to repeat the same footballing mistakes, over and over and over again, since our last achievement of any historical note: winning the gold medal in association football at the St. Louis olympics in 1904. These mistakes include attempting to compete internationally with no coherent national player development plan, no stable domestic professional league, inept or structurally and financially hampered administrative bodies, and a lack of fan support and paucity of domestic media coverage.
Even Canada’s World Cup qualification in 1986 felt like the exception that proved the rule, a historical mistake which only underlined the breadth of skill between Canada and the rest of the world, despite a heroic group stage performance. So what do we as Canadian soccer fans do in light of this latest international embarrassment?
Call for Stephen Hart to be fired? No. The CSA has barely been able to keep up with official business while securing Carolina Morace’s commitment to the women’s team over the past several months; the idea of kicking off a managerial search with the WCQs around the corner because of an early Gold Cup exit is ludicrous.
Reform the Canadian Soccer Association? Well, there are signs the CSA is taking small steps in that direction, but relying on suits to do the right thing in Ottawa over the next several AGMs seems overly passive.
Drum up more fan interest in the CMNT? Sure, absolutely. But the present state of affairs means marketing Canada games will be even more difficult, although playing qualifiers in more Canada friendly markets would at least ensure majority home support.
In any case, each of these approaches have tried in the past, producing the same result. Historically speaking, any meaningful change in Canadian soccer occurred when individual people, whether high school chemistry teachers, journalists, or grocery store owners, took it on themselves to make a change, to get together and to organize, whether leagues, friendlies, or association meetings.
Canadian soccer has met with failure and disappointment when these individuals move on to other things, when they stop paying attention. While we’re at a relative cultural high point with regard to soccer in this country, the price of progress is eternal vigilance. Canada’s continued lack-lustre performances go beyond individual players, coaches, administrators, fans, referees, etc. What is needed to bring about lasting change isn’t angry sentiment, but meaningful, organized action. This involves time, organization, advocacy and hard work from people from all walks of life with an interest in the game. Neither does this sort of action have to be “radical” or pie-in-the-sky. I’ll be looking at some steps we can take over the next several days.
I hope that any negative posters about the CMNT on this article and the many other articles out there realize at some point that the only way the results of the CMNT will change is if you individually decide to contribute to make a change. Whether that is supporting the CMNT during home games, continuing to put public pressure on the CSA for improved organizational changes, or working to change your local club(s) to encourage a better local development process which will provide a pathway to the professional game (instead of just watching kids run the length of the field and shouting at them) – amongst other things. It is up to us individually to decide we have had enough; no more passive observation and then providing condescending opinions (I’m not pointing the finger at you Mr. Whittall, I enjoy your articles). And yes, I’m going to be a dick, and tell you all I am committed to this personally.
edit: I guess I should finish reading your article Mr. Whittall, as you’ve touched on exactly what it is I intend on doing and promoting myself. Thank you.
How can we expect to become a soccer nation when we don’t even have our own league?
Firstly didnt I post here already ?? Score are you editing now ????
Firstly Clint I coach young boys @ a club dedicated to development. The club is working hard to change the landscape in Canada. However that doesnt mean that because the system is flawed we shouldnt be producing better at the National level TODAY .
My post that disappeared criticisied the coaching staff for playing the same defensive system three times with the same results. Against the USA fair enough, but the other two games didnt yield anything from open play.
I would rather have a go and loose 3-1 than sit back and loose 1-0 or draw 1-1.
At club level I play 3-4-3 with my kids , and yes we have been known to get a 4-4 draw and be a little leaky at the back. However we are undeated all season, just won a tournament and most of all the kids LOVE to play the game.
If we had been in a group at the WC with Italy, Russia and France , maybe Hart did the right thing. But this is a Gold CUp, we were Minus 2 after the USA game….So the Math is pretty clear that we needed to score.
That said you CSA comments are justified and everyone should be working to change the structure of the game in Canada …dare I say we are FIFA lite !!!!
dude we’ve got the MLS, NASL and USL, we havent got the support (financially or population wise) for our own league, not at this point anyways