The 2015 Women’s World Cup will be the single most important women’s tournament for the Canadian National Team to date. For a variety of reasons the CSA and Morace have targeted this tournament as an ultimate goal.
From the CSA perspective they really should aim to host this tournament on Canadian soil. After losing out to Germany for the rights to host the 2011 edition, the 2015 World Cup is by no means out Canada’s grasp. Canada was all but assured the 2007 World Cup until the SARS epidemic forced China to give up the 2003 World Cup to the United States and China were promised the 2007 tournament. Canada were the early frontrunners to host the upcoming 2011 World Cup, until Germany presented a very sound technical bid which was bolstered by the fact they won the 2007 Women’s World Cup. So really it is Canada’s turn. After hosting a record setting U-19 Women’s World Cup in 2002, and a record breaking U-20 Men’s World Cup in 2007 (both record breaking in terms of attendances), Canada deserves a shot at another major international tournament. The 2015 Women’s World Cup is that tournament.
For Canada to earn the right to host the 2015 Women’s World Cup, the best possible advertisement is playing as many home friendlies as possible to as many packed houses. If the CSA can bring in quality opponents to BMO Field and sell tickets at $5, $10 and $20 they will pack BMO with screaming girls teams who will no doubt support Canada (which is better than can be said about the majority of soccer fans in this nation). Even if these friendlies may not be the most financially profitable they will surely pay off in the long run if the 2015 Women’s World Cup really is in the cards. The other key advertisement for women’s soccer here in Canada has to be a good performance on the pitch at the 2011 Women’s World Cup.
This is where we get to the more difficult part of the issue; the team on the field. 2015 is more than five years away and there is ample time to prepare and bring in the new playing style Carolina Morace is trying to institute. Assuming that under the Pellarud years Canada did not fall insurmountably behind the rest of the women’s game, Canada should have a shot at the 2015 World Cup. No, I do not mean a shot at putting in a good performance I mean a shot at winning the World Cup. Or at least finishing with a medal. Canada has strong players, they are still miles ahead of most of the world when it comes to women’s football, and women’s sports in general. Canadians should stop accepting our women’s team as a success because they consistently qualify for the World Cup, or play every team competitively. This team has the ability to win a World Cup and 2015 seems like it will be the ideal time for this national team.
Hopefully the CSA will see this opportunity and demand a lot from the players, and coach. As I said in my last post on the women’s team. The CSA has done a good job handling the team to this point in time, appointing a top manager, giving her enough opportunities, but now they need to expect results and push the boundaries of what most soccer fans expect this Canadian team to achieve.
Just to put it in words that will make everyone happy… yes, I think Canadian soccer has a legitimate shot of winning the World Cup in this next decade. Regardless of the gender that should be something all Canadian supporters should be excited about.
