Kamis, 31 Maret 2022
NHL Highlights | Blues vs. Canucks - Mar. 30, 2022 - SPORTSNET
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2022-03-31 04:52:10Z
1358382693
Canada tops CONCACAF World Cup qualifying group despite loss to Panama - CBC Sports
Canada's 20-game World Cup qualifying marathon is done. Now the real work begins.
The Canadian men wrapped up a remarkable qualifying campaign Wednesday on a losing note, beaten 1-0 by Panama in Panama City, but will still go to Qatar as the top finisher in CONCACAF.
"And there's more to come," promised coach John Herdman.
"We've travelled thousands of miles," he added. "We've played lots of minutes. We've kicked every ball. We've never quit. And we're on our way to Qatar, No. 1 in CONCACAF. I'll sleep well tonight."
Despite the loss, the Canadians gathered on the pitch at Estadio Rommel Fernandez after the final whistle to celebrate finishing atop the final qualifying round-robin in CONCACAF, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean..
Herdman said it felt "weird," but also right celebrating after a loss that saw a Canadian equalizer negated for offside and the Panamanians doing their bit to waste time as the clock wound down.
WATCH | Canada qualifies for World Cup for 1st time in 36 years:
"That's been a hell of a journey for this group of fans, the [Canada Soccer] organization and these players," Herdman said. "And the work starts now, across all levels in the game. This is just the start of what we've got to do. And tonight was one of those brilliant learning experiences.
"It was a master-class from Panama in the second half, just how to take at least a quarter of the game off the clock. It was brilliant. So we've learned from that."
The road to Qatar
There is plenty to celebrate.
Canada's qualifying road started March 25, 2021, when it opened the first round with a 5-1 victory over Bermuda in Orlando. The Canadians were ranked 73rd at the time, climbing 40 rungs in the ratings on a journey that has seen them play on the road in eight different countries.
They went 14-2-4 over three rounds in qualifying, outscoring the opposition 54-8.
WATCH | How Canada qualified for Qatar:
The two losses came in the final international window, starting with last week's 1-0 defeat in Costa Rica with Canada having to play a man down for two-thirds of the game. The Canadians then secured World Cup qualification with Sunday's 4-0 win over Jamaica in Toronto, letting their hair down for a day of celebrations before returning to training.
The home sides all won on the final day of CONCACAF qualifying Wednesday. Costa Rica blanked the U.S. 2-0, Mexico downed El Salvador 2-0, and Jamaica beat Honduras 2-1.
Jockeying for position at the World Cup
The Canadian men finished tied with No. 12 Mexico on 28 points at 8-2-4 but took first spot in the eight-team round-robin by virtue of a superior goal difference. The 13th-ranked U.S. (7-3-4, 25 points) finished third on goal difference over No. 42 Costa Rica.
Costa Rica finished fourth after winning all three outings in the final international window and will face No. 111 New Zealand in an intercontinental playoff in June. The All Whites blanked the 142nd-ranked Solomon Islands 5-0 earlier Wednesday in the final of the Oceania qualifying tournament.
On Friday, Herdman's squad will learn what awaits it this November at the 32-team soccer showcase.
The 33rd-ranked Canadian men were looking to finish first in the region and earn valuable FIFA ranking points that could help in Friday's World Cup draw in Doha.
The four pots for the 32-team draw are divvied up by world ranking. Canada had hoped it could move it out of Pot 4 to Pot 3, which would allow it a more benign draw by avoiding a tier of higher-ranked countries. But it was not to be.
'We've had better performances'
"I just felt we weren't quite on our game," said Herdman. "We've had better performances."
It was a humid 27 C at kickoff, feeling like 30 degrees. And it was a scrappy affair with neither team on target in the first half.
The home side went ahead on a counter-attack in the 49th minute with Gabriel Torres, on his 100th appearance, volleying home a perfect cross from Jose Luis Rodriguez. The cross curled past Kamal Miller with Torres directing it home with his right foot past goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau into the top corner.
WATCH | Torres scores the lone goal of the game:
_(1).jpg?crop=1.777xh:h;*,*&downsize=510px:*510w)
The Canadians pressed as the second half wore on with both teams finding more room on offence.
Canada thought it had equalized on substitute Cyle Larin's diving header in the 80th minute but the goal was ruled offside after video review.
With the Canadian men pressing for the equalizer, Atiba Hutchinson's backheel found Junior Hoilett and the veteran floated a cross to Larin in front of the net for what looked like his 25th goal for Canada. The Besiktas striker put a finger to his mouth to silence the crowd before kissing his badge in celebration.
But the celebrations ended when referee Jair Maruffo went to the pitchside monitor to check on offside. Canada kept coming forward during the seven minutes of stoppage time but could not get the goal, with a Larin header flashing wide off a free kick.
Cyle Larin’s equalizer for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CanMNT?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CanMNT</a> is ruled out by VAR for offside ❌<br><br>Panama still leads 1-0<br>🎥: <a href="https://twitter.com/onesoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@onesoccer</a> <a href="https://t.co/oJp5OR1jwn">pic.twitter.com/oJp5OR1jwn</a>
—@cbcsportsNo. 63 Panama (6-5-3, 21 points) finishes fifth just out of qualifying contention.
The Canadians top the region in their first participation in CONCACAF's final qualifying round since the lead-up to France '98.
Herdman made seven changes to the starting 11 that secured qualification Sunday with a 4-0 win over Jamaica in Toronto.
Hutchinson returned as captain, playing at centre back instead of his normal midfield role, with Crepeau taking over in goal. Also slotting in were Miller, Alistair Johnston, Ismael Kone, Lucas Cavallini and Mark-Anthony Kaye.
The starting 11 came into the game with a combined 316 caps.
The 39-year-old Hutchinson collected cap No. 95, extending his Canadian men's record. It was a first start for the 19-year-old Kone, the CF Montreal midfielder who made his debut off the bench last week against Costa Rica.
Larin and Hoilett came in with a half-hour remaining as Canada looked for an equalizer. Hoilett and Larin almost had an immediate, combining to feed David in front of goal, only to see Panama 'keeper Luis Mejia block the ball with his body.
Crepeau made a fine diving save in the 77th to stop Edgar Barcenas' free kick from the edge of the penalty box.
WATCH | Herdman the day after clinching World Cup berth:
Herdman's record at the men's helm now stands at 29-8-4, with the lone losses to the U.S (twice). Mexico (twice) Haiti, Iceland, Costa Rica and Panama. The men were ranked 94th in the world when Herdman took over in January 2018, moving over from the women's program.
Panama, which like Canada and El Salvador had to survive two preliminary rounds to get this far, started the final qualifying round-robin in style with a 4-2-2 record that included a win over the U.S. and draw with Mexico. But it won just one of its next five games (1-3-1) ahead of the finale against Canada.
Canada came into Wednesday's game with a 4-1-6 career record against Panama, winning 4-1 when the two met Oct. 13 at BMO Field with Alphonso Davies scoring on a memorable solo effort. The lone loss came at the same venue as Wednesday night, a 2-0 defeat in September 2012 in qualifying for Brazil 2014.
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2022-03-31 03:31:00Z
1349961497
Kings @ Oilers 3/30 | NHL Highlights 2022 - NHL
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2022-03-31 05:01:19Z
1358303549
Rabu, 30 Maret 2022
NHL Highlights | Avalanche vs. Flames - Mar 29, 2022 - SPORTSNET
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2022-03-30 04:07:55Z
1360052094
Selasa, 29 Maret 2022
10 Things: Siakam continues to make All-NBA case with Raptors - Sportsnet.ca
Here are 10 takeaways from the Toronto Raptors' 115-112 overtime win over the Boston Celtics.
One — That was not an easy win. The Celtics were short four starters, but they played with the intensity and execution of a team that was fully intent on collecting their 24th win over the past 28 games. Boston got out to an early lead, Toronto was late to every loose ball, and it took a gutsy effort by the Raptors and a superstar performance from their leader to take the game in overtime. It also cannot go unmentioned just how poorly the game was officiated, which contributed to the overall frustration and relief in the win.
Two — Pascal Siakam continues to make his case for All-NBA with 40 points and 13 rebounds. Siakam was relentless against the Celtics, getting downhill repeatedly and toasting everyone the Celtics put in his way. The basis of Boston's defence is switching matchups to keep the ball on the perimeter, while sending help in the paint, and it worked against every other player on the Raptors but Siakam was not deterred. With the Raptors down four points in the final minute, Siakam used a spin move to get around Daniel Theis for a basket through heavy contact, then got downhill against Aaron Nesmith for two free throws which he knocked down to force overtime. Then in the extra period, it was Siakam who scored a putback, and hit a midrange pull-up which ended up as the game-winning basket.
Three — Siakam's effort was almost spoiled by fouling out. Siakam played through foul trouble all night, where the difference between the contact he initiated compared to the physicality that went unpunished against him was as if Siakam was simultaneously playing two sports. However, his aggression remained high despite playing most of the fourth quarter and overtime with five fouls, including a highlight block in overtime. Siakam ended up fouling out on a loose ball foul, where he bumped Grant Williams and there was actual contact. But the ball was only loose in the first place because Thad Young was clotheslined on the pass that preceded it, which is just one of many egregious decisions from the officiating. Consider this: Siakam took 29 shots and scored 16 field goals in the paint, yet he only got one more free throw than Williams, who is a fifth option on the Celtics.
Four — The officiating was outrageously bad. Nobody has high standards for NBA officiating, but this was borderline scandalous. Boston got twice as many free throws and half as many fouls called against them, while two Raptors players ended up fouling out whereas not a single Celtic was even remotely in range of foul trouble. The final foul against Siakam only happened because Young was clotheslined. Scottie Barnes was eliminated on a Marcus Smart flop after his own teammate set a moving screen. And Nick Nurse couldn't save either one with his challenge, because he had to burn it to overturn an outlandish goaltending call made by official Evan Scott who was the farthest ref on a clear-cut chase down play by Precious Achiuwa.
Five — Boston's defensive strategy presents a unique challenge. The Celtics switch most actions and force teams into playing isolation, and they're mostly willing to concede top-of-the-floor threes by sending help from the perimeter to dig at the ball. The end result is that teams have to play a lot of isolation basketball to hunt mismatches, which will strain the offence. Siakam was great in his matchup, but nobody else could create. On an average night, the Raptors would shoot a higher percentage from three, but ultimately this is the style of defence that most teams employ in the playoffs.
Six — Thad Young was sensational when needed. Young played the entirety of the fourth quarter and overtime, and was repeatedly making the right plays on both ends. Young nailed two threes in the fourth, and hit a runner against a short clock while winning two offensive rebounds. Defensively, Young collected the game-saving block on Marcus Smart's drive up two with 30 seconds left, and had another highlight play to swat Daniel Theis in overtime. In the midst of all of that, Young took multiple hard knocks, but the 33-year-old veteran was still able to be the cool head in the room, making play after play. In these intense games, the value of an experienced player who doesn't get rattled is invaluable. It's very telling that Nurse chose to close with Young ahead of younger legs in Precious Achiuwa and Chris Boucher.
Seven — Fred VanVleet is clearly not himself, but he always has a clutch play up his sleeve. VanVleet was hobbled all night as he continues to battle a tricky right knee, but he willed the team back to life in the fourth quarter with back-to-back threes. Before that sequence, VanVleet was raked across the arms by Payton Pritchard on a closeout without any call from the official, which earned him an earful from VanVleet all the way down the floor. Where VanVleet's injury is most noticeable is when he gets into the paint, where he already struggles on account of his height, but the total lack of burst and leaping ability leaves the kick-out pass as his only option.
Eight — Nurse said he was surprised that Gary Trent Jr. was available to play, then proceeded to lean on him for 37 minutes. Nurse said Trent Jr. was not moving freely in practice, but when it came time to tipoff, Trent Jr. was in the starting lineup and back in to close at the end. Trent Jr. iced the game with a pair of intentional fouls, and came up with three steals and a fourth in overtime that was robbed from him by the officials, but he was clearly not at his best. At one point, Trent Jr. had his finger re-tapped and was getting the shoelace treatment, which might explain the times that he mishandled the ball. Trent Jr. is a rhythm player who has consistently shot poorly in his return to the lineup, but it's out of his system after a couple of games.
Nine — Nurse stuck to a tight eight-man rotation. He could have kept Armoni Brooks in the rotation to keep minutes down for Trent Jr. and VanVleet, who are both banged up, or he could have even played Brooks in two-guard lineups to boost the team's woeful shooting, but he stuck with his core players. Down the stretch, the rotation shrank to just five players, as Trent Jr. and Achiuwa were only reintroduced due to players fouling out. This is a preview of how the playoffs will go, as the Raptors have really only trusted their top-eight when everyone has been healthy. It's the starting five, with three forwards in Young, Achiuwa, and Boucher coming off the bench in tight games.
Ten — The preferred starting lineup for the Raptors is now a minus on the season. It's not entirely fair to judge the group when three of the five in Anunoby, VanVleet, and Trent Jr. are known to be nursing injuries, but this trend extends back to December. Even though the group features five players who can all create their own shot and score 20 points with regularity, there is this lingering impression that they are less than the sum of their parts which totally runs counter to what the Raptors have been all season. Ironically, for a team that is almost entirely constituted of forward, their starters are the smallest group that the Raptors turn to with regularity. That lack of length, coupled with the disjointed nature of the offence where all five players feel like it's their turn to attack leaves something to be desired.
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2022-03-29 14:52:00Z
1359047363
Coyotes @ Oilers 3/28 | NHL Highlights 2022 - NHL
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2022-03-29 04:35:01Z
1360516497
Siakam’s force helps Raptors take overtime win from shorthanded Celtics - Sportsnet.ca
The Boston Celtics have been the best team in the Eastern Conference in 2022 and the best team in the NBA for the last two months.
Their dominance has been so convincing that they are getting credible buzz as a title contender – impressive for a team that was three games under .500 through the first 39 games of the season.
Boston righted their ship from there and have been absolutely on fire since late January.
“The run that they’re on is as hot as anybody’s been that I can remember,” said Raptors head coach Nick Nurse before his team hosted the Celtics on Monday night. “I don’t have the exact numbers, 24-4 or something like that?
“I’m in there watching and every score that’s coming from all the clips that are coming is 30 points. It’s hard to find a competitive clip in there,” said Nurse.
The rest of the league will have one now as the Raptors downed the Celtics 115-112 in overtime thanks to another dominant performance by Pascal Siakam.
It was harder than might have been expected given the dominant version of the Celtics didn’t make it across the border. Traveling on the second night of a back-to-back, the Celtics kept star wings Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brown back in Boston. Also missing was Al Horford who has missed a pair of games for personal reasons.
Of greater concern Boston head coach Ime Udoka confirmed that Robert Williams – the agile rim protector who has been the backbone of their NBA-best defense – will have surgery to repair a torn cartilage in his knee and will be out for six weeks or perhaps more.
And hey, the Raptors – led in large part by their own star, Pascal Siakam -- have been rolling along pretty well themselves in the New Year and especially lately with eight wins in their past 10..
So, on paper it might have looked like an easy night.
It wasn’t. Boston showed they are more than their headline acts as they pushed Toronto all the way to the limit and then some even while missing four of their five starters.
“It just goes to show you, I mean that's why they're so good,” said Nurse. “They’ve got some guys that have played in this league, and they’ve got some serious depth. I knew it was tough mentally on us to see those guys out. We came out and played like, ‘Oh, this is this, you know, who we gotta play against tonight’. I knew it was gonna be tough on us and I knew those guys were really good.”
Still, the Raptors showed why it’s great to have their best players available and playing his best as Siakam scored a season-high 40 points while grabbing 13 rebounds before fouling out with 51.4 seconds to play and Toronto up three. He also had three steals and two blocks in 47 minutes.
The Raptors were able to get it over the finish line from there as Gary Trent Jr. both his free throws with 14.4 seconds left to preserve the win.
The win improved Toronto to 43-32 and with the Chicago Bulls loss pulled the Raptors into a tie for fifth place in the East, though Chicago has the tiebreaker based on them winning the season series with the Raptors. Boston dropped to 47-29 and are in fourth-place, one game behind first-place Miami in the tightly packed East.
In addition to Siakam’s heroics the Raptors had all five starters in double figures and got 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three blocked shots off the bench from veteran Thad Young who played 28 minutes off the bench back-filling for Scottie Barnes who fouled out midway through the fourth quarter.
But they won their game with their defense as Toronto held Boston to 40.5 per cent from the floor in the second half and 1-of-9 in overtime helped along by four blocked shots – two by Siakam, who was playing with five fouls, but didn’t let that hold him back.
“It’s a tough line you have to walk through and it’s hard,” said Siakam, who picked up his fifth foul with 2:49 left in the fourth quarter. “For me, it was just instinct and doing whatever I felt at the time. For the longest time I thought I had four fouls, to be honest with you, when I had five fouls I thought I had four in my head, so, maybe if I didn’t think that I would’ve been a little less aggressive, but I just wanted to make plays and we needed those plays. I felt like, why not, I wasn’t really thinking about fouling out to be honest.”
The Celtics broke open a tie game with three quick triples from their bench unit to start the fourth quarter as part of a 14-7 run that put Toronto on their heels. But the Raptors clawed their way back and consecutive triples by Fred VanVleet shifted the momentum inside four minutes, helping a seven-point the Celtics lead with 4:12 to play to just one. But Toronto was still trailing by four with 58 seconds to go before Siakam scored at the rim on one of his spin moves and then tied the game on the line with 12.6 seconds to play, forcing the extra period.
Carrying the offense has become a comfortable habit for Siakam who has averaged 27.5 points a game over the Raptors last 14 starts which have overlapped with various injuries to VanVleet, Trent Jr. and Anunoby.
“He did a good job of getting to the front of the rim, making good decisions,” said Nurse. “And yeah, I mean listen it was kind of what was available, and he was getting deep, and he was scoring them.”
Siakam scored 10 in the first quarter, which Toronto trailed 38-30 and exploded for 15 in the second to give the Raptors a 59-58 lead at half. The Celtics tightened things down in the second half, but by then the Raptors defense was locking in as well.
Said Siakam; “I think the way they were guarding me there wasn’t much pressure, so I had a head of steam to get to the rim and those baskets, those touch baskets that I usually have, they fell, which helped. Again, it depends on how they’re playing me, and I felt like I had an advantage.”
That the Celtics kept their top talent home could be a theme as the regular season winds down. Toronto has seven games left, five at home, and it’s hard to find too many opponents remaining who will be all that interested in competing. The Minnesota Timberwolves – in town Wednesday – will be, as they try to snag sixth place in the West. But otherwise?
Like Boston, Miami and Philadelphia could well angling to slide back to the third seed and avoid a potential match-up with the dangerous Brooklyn Nets – who most feel will end up in seventh or eighth place after the play-in tournament. Atlanta will likely be trying to work their way into a favourable spot in the play-in tournament, but all of Orlando, Houston and New York have more to gain from losing than winning.
It all bodes well for the Raptors hanging onto the sixth seed and even moving up to fifth.
Nowhere did the Celtics show they were missing their top two wings and top two centre options more than on the defensive end and no one was more effective exploiting in than Siakam.
Early in the opening quarter the Raptors recognized that Boston was short of options to defend Siakam off the dribble in space and so they simply did everything they could to get Siakam isolated in the middle of the floor against Daniel Theis or Grant Williams. Theis in particular couldn’t match-up with the Raptors' leading scorer. At one point in the first quarter Siakam scored four straight buckets on his way to 10 points in the game’s opening 10 minutes.
It took a while for the Raptors to dial in defensively, however, and the remaining Celtics seemed to appreciate the extra looks that came with Brown and Tatum out. All eight Celtics that touched the floor in the first quarter scored as they shot a combined 14-of-25 from the floor and 6-of-12 from three to lead 38-30.
Siakam was hardly finished, and the Celtics remained without an answer – there aren’t many when the Raptors big wing has the ball on a string, room to operate and is on target with his floaters and mid-range jumpers. Siakam kept punishing Boston adding to his total by two making steals on the perimeter and taking the ball the other way on solo fast breaks.
There were only a couple of downsides: One was that Siakam picked up his third foul just before the half as he got whistled for sticking out his lead elbow in the Celtics Grant Williams’ chest one of his spin moves, the other was that even with Siakam’s 25 first half points, Toronto only led the short-handed Celtics 59-58 at half.
Boston shifted their tactics in the third quarter as they began shading multiple defenders his way, collapsing on spins or sometimes using a guard on him to limit his penetration. It was effective – Siakam was held to five points on 1-of-3 shooting and the Raptors didn’t have anyone step up immediately to pitch in as they managed just 21 points on 7-of-25 shooting, as Boston dialed up their defense with five of their seven blocked shots.
Fortunately, the Raptors were making life equally difficult for Boston, who shot just 9-of-25. The two teams were tied 80-80 to start the fourth.
Three-point Grange
1) Nick Nurse has developed a relationship with men’s soccer head coach John Herdman and has followed their qualifying successful qualifying run to the World Cup closely. Does he believe it can inspire the men’s national basketball team to comparable heights? “I think the aftermath of the texts and things that I got kind of sums it up: [basketball people] relating to the tremendous passion, pride [the soccer players] are playing with for their country. A lot of people are seeing that and hoping it can transfer somehow and we can be part of the same thing on the basketball front … I don’t sell our own passion and stuff like that short. I think our guys, when they’re there, they’re really playing for their country with everything they’ve got. I think hopefully the specialness they see is intriguing, being able to accomplish things on a national team front, from sport to sport.”
2) Precious Achiuwa has been one of the Raptors best three-point shooters since the All-Star break, shooting 41.3 per cent on nearly four attempts per game. He set a career mark with four made threes on Saturday against Indiana. He hit his first shot against the Celtics from the top of the circle, proving his ability to do more than catch-and-shoot from the corners. He’s even beginning to dribble into some looks. “We’re OK with him shooting [different threes],” said Nurse. “He’s worked at it. His technique is pretty good. He’s starting to make ‘em and he’s got some confidence. He’s moving around a little bit, as you’ve seen …. he’s got the green light to shoot ‘em as long as they’re pretty much in the rhythm of the offence.”
3) Gary Trent Jr. was questionable before the game with a sprained big toe that had kept him out of three straight starts. Before the game Nurse said his shooting guard was going to play, but then made it sound like he would rather he wouldn’t: “We'll have to see. He’s not moving that great to be honest with you, from what I've seen lately, so I'm surprised he's ago tonight and that may change by game time, we'll see what it looks like,” Nurse said. “The most important thing is that we get into a healthy spot quickly so we can get his rhythm back quickly and feel like himself. Even if that means a few minutes tonight to make a step forward. Then that would be helpful.” Trent ended up starting and playing 37 minutes and contributing 12 points.
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2022-03-29 03:51:00Z
1359047363
Minggu, 27 Maret 2022
Bryce Harper homers twice as Phillies double up on Blue Jays - Sportsnet.ca
DUNEDIN, Fla. — Bryce Harper hit two home runs to power the Philadelphia Phillies to a 10-5 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon at TD Ballpark.
Didi Gregorius, Bryson Stott and Mickey Moniak also went deep for the Phillies, who outhit the Blue Jays 13-8. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Danny Jansen and Josh Palacios homered for Toronto.
The Blue Jays fell to 5-4 in pre-season play. Starter Yusei Kikuchi shouldered the loss after giving up five earned runs over 2 2/3 frames.
Philadelphia starter Bailey Falter allowed one run over three innings for the victory.
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2022-03-27 21:15:00Z
1341770032
Soccer fans, get ready to celebrate. Canada could clinch a World Cup berth at home Sunday - CBC.ca
Jim Crawford says he remembers how surreal it was to be at the 1986 FIFA World Cup — the last time Canada's men's national team made an appearance in soccer's biggest show.
Crawford travelled to Mexico that year to watch the team, which lost all its group stage games and didn't even score a goal. But the overmatched Canadians played hard and he appreciated the effort.
"It was just amazing to be at the stadiums, watching our boys battle with the best of the world and do a great job," said the Toronto resident and member of the Voyageurs national soccer fan club.
After 36 long years of failure and disappointment, Canada's men's team is finally on the verge of taking on the best again. Although the Canadians lost to Costa Rica Thursday in their 18th qualifying match for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Crawford and other soccer fans are eagerly anticipating their game against Jamaica at Toronto's BMO Field Sunday.
A win or a tie there against one of the weakest teams in the draw will punch Canada's ticket to the big tournament.
"It's almost like serendipity, or the stars aligned, that we're going to clinch the qualifying at home," said Crawford, who says he used to play and coach in the North Toronto Soccer League.
He's watched over the decades as Canadian men's national teams have underachieved and faltered in World Cup qualifying. But this time around, Canada has climbed into first place in the qualification round for the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).
"We've had our ups and downs, but we're definitely on a high today," Crawford said.
Local bar ready for big crowds
Bars across the country, and particularly in the Greater Toronto Area, are preparing for huge crowds of soccer fans Sunday evening.
At the Onyxx Sports Bar & Grill in Brampton, manager Jaineil Hoilett says they're pulling out all the stops for the Canada-Jamaica game.
"We have a big screen, plus 22 other screens for our guests to watch the game live, alongside a DJ as well during halftime," said Hoilett, who says he used to play soccer for Humber College, with stints abroad.
"We have a few appetizers on special and we're looking to have a good time with our guests."
He says they're expecting "nothing less than a full house" because Brampton is home to several members of Canada's national men's team, as well as to a large Jamaican community.
Ron Smale, the general manager of the Toronto Azzurri Soccer Club, says folks watching the national men's team play on the world stage these past few months might have had a hand in boosting registration numbers and re-igniting interest in the sport.
"I believe with the media and with all the number of games that have been televised, that's really helped."
Smale says the club has 400 to 500 youth players registered in its recreational and competitive programs each summer, and interest is growing now that people are headed outdoors and pandemic restrictions are easing.
"We're very confident that our national team will qualify ... and that'll create a whole lot of buzz when the 2022 World Cup tournament begins."
The game starts at 4:05 p.m. ET.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiiAFodHRwczovL3d3dy5jYmMuY2EvbmV3cy9jYW5hZGEvdG9yb250by9zb2NjZXItZmFucy1nZXQtcmVhZHktdG8tY2VsZWJyYXRlLWNhbmFkYS1jb3VsZC1jbGluY2gtYS13b3JsZC1jdXAtYmVydGgtYXQtaG9tZS1zdW5kYXktMS42Mzk3OTY20gEgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2JjLmNhL2FtcC8xLjYzOTc5NjY?oc=5
2022-03-27 15:18:59Z
1349961497
Sabtu, 26 Maret 2022
Speaker Catches Fire During Raptors-Pacers Game - Bleacher Report
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiK2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnlvdXR1YmUuY29tL3dhdGNoP3Y9alQxREV4c1NMV1HSAQA?oc=5
2022-03-27 00:52:24Z
1350472788
Scotiabank Arena being evacuated due to fire: police - CP24 Toronto's Breaking News
A two-alarm fire at Scotiabank Arena has prompted an evacuation of the building and the suspension of the Toronto Raptors game against the Indiana Pacers.
Toronto Fire said they received the call for a fire at the arena around 7:45 p.m. When crews arrived, they found flames and smoke in the audio speakers above the court.
Toronto Fire said that crews are planning to repel down from the catwalk to deal with the fire.
No injuries were reported.
Fans were subsequently ordered to leave the building with 4:05 left in the second quarter and the Raptors leading 66-38.
At 8:42 p.m., Toronto Fire told CP24 that the evacuation was about 80 per cent complete.
The Raptors said the game has been paused due to the fire.
There is no word on when it will resume.
- with files from The Canadian Press
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiV2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNwMjQuY29tL25ld3Mvc2NvdGlhYmFuay1hcmVuYS1iZWluZy1ldmFjdWF0ZWQtZHVlLXRvLWZpcmUtcG9saWNlLTEuNTgzNjM2N9IBAA?oc=5
2022-03-27 00:27:35Z
1350472788
NHL Highlights | Islanders vs. Bruins - Mar 26, 2022 - SPORTSNET
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2022-03-26 19:36:14Z
1347571274
Ehlers continues to be driving force of Jets offence as he spoils Laine’s return - Sportsnet.ca
WINNIPEG - Earlier in the day, Nikolaj Ehlers was on the receiving end of one of those famous chirps from his buddy and even though the tongue of Patrik Laine may have been firmly planted in his cheek, he did ultimately heed that friendly advice about keeping his head up.
And by the time the dust had settled, it was Ehlers who ended up having the last laugh.
On a night when so much of the hype and attention was on Laine suiting up for his first game against his former team in front of a fan base he absolutely adored, it was Ehlers that took centre stage with the game on the line.
As Jets interim head coach Dave Lowry rolled out three highly skilled forwards as the three-on-three overtime and went on the offensive, there was Ehlers scooping up a pass from Kyle Connor, looking over his shoulder on two separate occasions to see how much room he had with Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Zach Werenski in hot pursuit.
By the time Ehlers had been able to determine that his nearest pursuer would not be able to catch him, he focused on what he planned to do when he got in tight on Elivs Merzlikins, ultimately deciding to fire a quick shot through the wickets just 21 seconds into the three-on-three overtime.
“I like the five hole,” said Ehlers, who secured a sixth consecutive 20-goal season in Friday’s 4-3 triumph. “I did a couple shoulder checks there. I just didn’t want to come in with too much speed, and that’s why I kind of let up there a little bit. That’s why I was checking to see where he was at.”
There have been times when breakaways have been the equivalent of kryptonite for Ehlers, but on a night where the Jets were looking to regroup after a lacklustre 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators just one night earlier, he was able to deliver a dagger.
That Ehlers was able to steal the thunder from his close friend should not come as a surprise, as he’s a game-breaker in his own right.
Since returning from a knee injury that cost him nearly a quarter of the season (19 games for those of you looking to be exact or scoring at home), Ehlers has been a driving force for a Jets offence that has been explosive.
He’s generating scoring chances for himself and his linemates at an extremely high rate and his production has matched the rate.
With seven goals and five assists for 12 points in 12 games since returning to the lineup, Ehlers looks like he hasn’t missed a beat.
His explosiveness and ability to back off defenders has been on full display, whether he was playing alongside Connor and Pierre-Luc Dubois or with Mark Scheifele and Paul Stastny, as he was on Friday night.
Ehlers also delivered a bit of levity of his own, lovingly slashing the stick of Laine while lining up opposite him on the wing during a defensive zone draw.
“I don’t know. That was the first time I was on the ice against Patty, on the other side,” said Ehlers. “I’ve played with him… We’ve honestly pretty much played every single game together during the time that he was here. So it was a little different, it was fun, we won the game so that’s great.”
The Jets did an excellent job of preventing Laine from finding the scoresheet, limiting the Finnish sniper to four shots on goal and seven shot attempts.
But that didn’t mean Laine wasn’t dangerous, even if he was showing some signs of the nerves he admitted to having during his session with reporters on Friday morning.
He unloaded a couple of one-timers and then got a great look late in the contest that was turned aside.
“Scary, for sure. I mean, obviously, when he gets a little time and space anywhere in the slot, you want to try to get there as fast as possible to take it away from him because we’ve always seen that for years,” said Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey. “It’s always weird playing against former teammates for the first time. But you definitely have to respect their ability and (Jack Roslovic’s) speed and quickness and (Laine’s) ability to score and beat you one-on-one.
“I got (Laine) a few times with the stick checks and he faked me a couple times. It was what we did for years in practice, so it was fun to do that and play against him. But certainly like I said, you have a lot of respect for their games and their ability.”
Morrissey played a huge role in limiting Laine’s effectiveness and he also scored an important power-play goal that gave the Jets a 2-0 lead.
But with just 19.4 seconds to go in regulation time and the Jets protecting a one-goal lead, Morrissey received a slashing minor that took an empty-net goal from Blake Wheeler off the board.
Instead of putting the game on ice, the Jets faced a two-man disadvantage after the Blue Jackets pulled their goalie in favour of an extra attacker and needed only five strikes for Oliver Bjorkstrand to strike, sending the game to overtime.
While it should be noted that Blue Jackets Sean Kuraly pushed Morrissey into the boards initially and appeared to embellish the severity of the stick contact when the Jets defenceman retaliated just before the puck went into the empty net, it was Morrissey who showed incredible accountability when discussing the play in question.
“At the end of the day, emotions are high, it’s the last minute of the game,” said Morrissey, who is up to a career-best total of 11 in the goal category. “Obviously we’re battling. I didn’t like the hit (by Kuraly). But at the end of the day, I’ve got to control my emotions there and not put my team down and take the goal off the board. That’s why you have your teammates to pick you up when you make mistakes. That was a play I’d like to have back, for sure. But we found a way in OT, and the guy beside me saved my butt.”
Morrissey endured the feeling of loneliness that accompanies sitting in the penalty box when the game is on the line.
“When that happens, I feel like the smallest guy in the arena. And rightfully so,” said Morrissey. “(The referee) thought I slashed him, which I did. And he thought I did it before the goal went in. That’s really the only…I didn’t like the hit either, but as I said, I slashed him, what am I going to say. It’s a penalty.”
This was a true example of leadership.
It would have been easy for Morrissey to say it was a soft call (which it was) or that his opponent took a dive (which is what it looked like), but instead, he pointed the finger at himself and said he needed to park his frustration in that situation rather than force his team to play shorthanded in the waning seconds of regulation time.
“That shows you the type of person he is and the leadership he provides,” said Lowry, whose team improves to 31-25-10 and temporarily pulls within three points of the Dallas Stars, who hold three games in hand. “He owns that moment and that just shows the type of character and the player that he is.”
Jets backup goalie Eric Comrie continued his stretch of solid play this season, making 33 saves as he won a fifth consecutive start and improved to 8-2-1 overall.
Those early-season questions about whether or not Comrie was ready to handle the job at the NHL level seem like nothing but a distant memory.
“That guy works his ass off,” said Ehlers. “Yeah, he doesn’t play a lot, but when he does, he plays fantastic. We’ve got two goalies that give us a chance to win. When you’ve got a guy like (Comrie) who, every practice, he goes out there, 20, 30 minutes before and stays to do whatever extra guys want to do, stays out for that as well, he deserves it.
“He’s a great guy off the ice, and we love him in the room. It’s awesome to see how well he’s doing, and we obviously love that. We have two goalies that are fantastic, and that’s great.”
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMicWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnNwb3J0c25ldC5jYS9uaGwvYXJ0aWNsZS9laGxlcnMtc3BvaWxzLWxhaW5lcy1yZXR1cm4tYXMtaGUtY29udGludWVzLXRvLWxlYWQtY2hhcmdlLWZvci1qZXRzLW9mZmVuY2Uv0gFwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc3BvcnRzbmV0LmNhL25obC9laGxlcnMtc3BvaWxzLWxhaW5lcy1yZXR1cm4tYXMtaGUtY29udGludWVzLXRvLWxlYWQtY2hhcmdlLWZvci1qZXRzLW9mZmVuY2Uvc24tYW1wLw?oc=5
2022-03-26 13:03:00Z
1337478123
Jumat, 25 Maret 2022
The lesson, not the score, will ultimately determine the result of Canada's World Cup qualifier in Costa Rica - CBC Sports
Dreams have a cost. Climbing higher than you've ever reached means you are one misstep away from your worst fall. If you are close to achieving meaningful things, then whatever you do matters more than it once did. Greatness amplifies everything around it, including your mistakes.
On Thursday night in San José, Canada's men came agonizingly close to turning their wildest wish into reality — qualifying for their first World Cup since 1986. A win or a tie would have seen them through. Instead, they fell 1-0 to Costa Rica. After 17 consecutive CONCACAF qualifiers without a loss, they finally tasted defeat.
Now we will see what they take from it.
"There's a group of warriors there who will pick themselves up," head coach John Herdman said after. "They've just had a punch in the ribs, and I think the response will be strong."
Given the night's results from other games in the group, Canada remains a virtual lock to qualify for Qatar, needing just a single point from its two remaining games to earn an automatic berth. (If fourth-place Costa Rica fails to win both of its matches, that would also get the job done.)
WATCH | Short-handed Canadian squad drops 1st qualifier to Costa Rica:
.jpg?crop=1.777xh:h;*,*&downsize=510px:*510w)
The first of those games comes on Sunday, when Canada will host Jamaica, already eliminated from contention, before a sold-out crowd at BMO Field in Toronto. Nobody on this team doubts that victory will come, or that an incredible celebration will follow.
"It's in the stars to do this at home," Herdman said. "Get ready Canada, because we're coming."
Goalkeeper Milan Borjan echoed the sentiment, essentially guaranteeing a win. "We're going to get it done at home. We'll give just everything … I know we will, because I believe in these guys. It's meant to be."
But nothing teaches like experience, and it would be a missed opportunity for these players not to reflect on their first defeat in a year. The overarching lesson should be one of accountability.
'Bend, don't break'
Fifteen minutes into the game, the Costa Ricans were pressing, the winds were swirling, and the Canadians were struggling to find anything resembling forward momentum. That's not unusual for Herdman's side, which has become expert at soaking up waves of attack before brightly countering. "Bend, don't break," is his principal mantra, and it has served this team well.
On this pressure-filled occasion, however, Canada bent a little too dramatically. Without need or provocation, midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye made a rash challenge on Ronald Matarrita, putting his studs into the Costa Rican's ankle, just above the protection of his boot. Referee Said Martinez issued Kaye a yellow card. Then, ominously, Martinez was summoned by his video assistant to the touchline to take a second look.
Martinez took a third look, and then a fourth, and then a fifth, sixth, and seventh. The Costa Rican crowd chanted for a red. When a referee spends so long in front of the monitor, that's usually what comes. A foul, like guilt, doesn't often lessen upon further review.
WATCH | Canada's Kaye sent off in 1st half after 2 yellow cards:
.jpg?crop=1.777xh:h;*,*&downsize=510px:*510w)
Perhaps because it was so early in the match, or perhaps because Kaye's contact wasn't slightly higher up Matarrita's leg, Martinez granted clemency in the end. The yellow stood.
Then Kaye inexplicably broke. Less than 20 minutes later, just as Canada was starting to assert some control over the match, he felt as though he'd been clipped by Johan Venegas in the middle of the pitch. Kaye went down; play continued. Kaye got back to his feet and sauntered toward Venegas, who purposefully drifted into his orbit. Kaye should have walked away.
He did not walk away. He put his shoulder into his opponent's chest. It wasn't a charge, exactly, but the contact was obvious, as was the opportunity: Venegas dropped to the ground as though he'd taken a javelin to the gut. Kaye was issued a second yellow, leading to the red card and ejection that he had only narrowly avoided. Canada was down to 10 men with two-thirds of the game to go.
There was a lot to admire about Canada's immediate response. After Costa Rica scored its lone goal seconds before halftime, the Canadians were ferocious for most of the second half, taking chance after chance. They hit the crossbar and the post.
"Going a man down, we still dominated the game and were unlucky not to get a goal," Junior Hoillet said.
WATCH | CBC Sports' Extra Time examines 1-0 loss to Costa Rica:
That's true. It's also true that Kaye's twin fouls were mindless and selfish, and so unlike this team, which has set new standards for itself. To a man, they speak of the brotherhood they share, the responsibility they have to one another and their country. Kaye, who didn't talk to reporters after his terrible night, must have known that he had let his teammates down.
"Football, we learn," Herdman said. "Pressure does things to people. It's normal. The lad is devastated. Absolutely devastated. He knows what that meant."
Kaye, and Canada, are just lucky that they still have every chance to repair this particular rupture. They almost certainly will. Sunday's game will likely turn into a coronation, and if it does, Canada's men will take their rightful place among the best in the world. Seventeen games without a loss is a ridiculous, wonderful run. What a joy. Now isn't the time to forget that.
And yet, there will soon come a time — if these men's dreams really do come true — when the same sort of blunder will send them home from Qatar, and that shouldn't be forgotten, either. The World Cup isn't the place for you to find forgiveness. You can't make mental errors against Germany. You can't give Brazil a gift.
Otherwise you'll receive one of the hardest lessons: Sometimes all that separates a lifelong regret from a helpful reminder is whether you learned from your mistake.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiYGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNiYy5jYS9zcG9ydHMvc29jY2VyL2NhbmFkYS13b3JsZC1jdXAtY29zdGEtcmljYS1sZXNzb24tbm90LXNjb3JlLW1hcmNoLTI1LTEuNjM5NzE3OdIBAA?oc=5
2022-03-25 18:24:36Z
1349961497
The lesson, not the score, will ultimately determine the result of Canada's World Cup qualifier in Costa Rica - CBC Sports
Dreams have a cost. Climbing higher than you've ever reached means you are one misstep away from your worst fall. If you are close to achieving meaningful things, then whatever you do matters more than it once did. Greatness amplifies everything around it, including your mistakes.
On Thursday night in San José, Canada's men came agonizingly close to turning their wildest wish into reality — qualifying for their first World Cup since 1986. A win or a tie would have seen them through. Instead, they fell 1-0 to Costa Rica. After 17 consecutive CONCACAF qualifiers without a loss, they finally tasted defeat.
Now we will see what they take from it.
"There's a group of warriors there who will pick themselves up," head coach John Herdman said after. "They've just had a punch in the ribs, and I think the response will be strong."
Given the night's results from other games in the group, Canada remains a virtual lock to qualify for Qatar, needing just a single point from its two remaining games to earn an automatic berth. (If fourth-place Costa Rica fails to win both of its matches, that would also get the job done.)
WATCH | Short-handed Canadian squad drops 1st qualifier to Costa Rica:
The first of those games comes on Sunday, when Canada will host Jamaica, already eliminated from contention, before a sold-out crowd at BMO Field in Toronto. Nobody on this team doubts that victory will come, or that an incredible celebration will follow.
"It's in the stars to do this at home," Herdman said. "Get ready Canada, because we're coming."
Goalkeeper Milan Borjan echoed the sentiment, essentially guaranteeing a win. "We're going to get it done at home. We'll give just everything … I know we will, because I believe in these guys. It's meant to be."
But nothing teaches like experience, and it would be a missed opportunity for these players not to reflect on their first defeat in a year. The overarching lesson should be one of accountability.
'Bend, don't break'
Fifteen minutes into the game, the Costa Ricans were pressing, the winds were swirling, and the Canadians were struggling to find anything resembling forward momentum. That's not unusual for Herdman's side, which has become expert at soaking up waves of attack before brightly countering. "Bend, don't break," is his principal mantra, and it has served this team well.
On this pressure-filled occasion, however, Canada bent a little too dramatically. Without need or provocation, midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye made a rash challenge on Ronald Matarrita, putting his studs into the Costa Rican's ankle, just above the protection of his boot. Referee Said Martinez issued Kaye a yellow card. Then, ominously, Martinez was summoned by his video assistant to the touchline to take a second look.
Martinez took a third look, and then a fourth, and then a fifth, sixth, and seventh. The Costa Rican crowd chanted for a red. When a referee spends so long in front of the monitor, that's usually what comes. A foul, like guilt, doesn't often lessen upon further review.
WATCH | Canada's Kaye sent off in 1st half after 2 yellow cards:
Perhaps because it was so early in the match, or perhaps because Kaye's contact wasn't slightly higher up Matarrita's leg, Martinez granted clemency in the end. The yellow stood.
Then Kaye inexplicably broke. Less than 20 minutes later, just as Canada was starting to assert some control over the match, he felt as though he'd been clipped by Johan Venegas in the middle of the pitch. Kaye went down; play continued. Kaye got back to his feet and sauntered toward Venegas, who purposefully drifted into his orbit. Kaye should have walked away.
He did not walk away. He put his shoulder into his opponent's chest. It wasn't a charge, exactly, but the contact was obvious, as was the opportunity: Venegas dropped to the ground as though he'd taken a javelin to the gut. Kaye was issued a second yellow, leading to the red card and ejection that he had only narrowly avoided. Canada was down to 10 men with two-thirds of the game to go.
There was a lot to admire about Canada's immediate response. After Costa Rica scored its lone goal seconds before halftime, the Canadians were ferocious for most of the second half, taking chance after chance. They hit the crossbar and the post.
"Going a man down, we still dominated the game and were unlucky not to get a goal," Junior Hoillet said.
WATCH | What qualification would mean for Canadian soccer:
That's true. It's also true that Kaye's twin fouls were mindless and selfish, and so unlike this team, which has set new standards for itself. To a man, they speak of the brotherhood they share, the responsibility they have to one another and their country. Kaye, who didn't talk to reporters after his terrible night, must have known that he had let his teammates down.
"Football, we learn," Herdman said. "Pressure does things to people. It's normal. The lad is devastated. Absolutely devastated. He knows what that meant."
Kaye, and Canada, are just lucky that they still have every chance to repair this particular rupture. They almost certainly will. Sunday's game will likely turn into a coronation, and if it does, Canada's men will take their rightful place among the best in the world. Seventeen games without a loss is a ridiculous, wonderful run. What a joy. Now isn't the time to forget that.
And yet, there will soon come a time — if these men's dreams really do come true — when the same sort of blunder will send them home from Qatar, and that shouldn't be forgotten, either. The World Cup isn't the place for you to find forgiveness. You can't make mental errors against Germany. You can't give Brazil a gift.
Otherwise you'll receive one of the hardest lessons: Sometimes all that separates a lifelong regret from a helpful reminder is whether you learned from your mistake.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiYGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNiYy5jYS9zcG9ydHMvc29jY2VyL2NhbmFkYS13b3JsZC1jdXAtY29zdGEtcmljYS1sZXNzb24tbm90LXNjb3JlLW1hcmNoLTI1LTEuNjM5NzE3OdIBAA?oc=5
2022-03-25 15:18:29Z
1349961497
Canada’s World Cup dream on hold after tale of two halves vs. Costa Rica - Sportsnet.ca
The wait continues.
The Canadian men's national team was down a man. It was down a goal. It played in front of a raucous, desperate home crowd that needed a monumental result for their side. It would've been easy if Canada folded under the pressure like so many teams before.
Yes, the first half was a folding of sorts in the form of Mark-Anthony Kaye's sending off in the 34th minute and the goal conceded off a set piece. But credit the Canadians for willing themselves back into the match and almost securing an equalizer, even in a 1-0 loss to Costa Rica at Estadio Nacional on Thursday.
A defeat means Canada's inevitable qualification is prolonged until Sunday against Jamaica at BMO Field, it also means that attaining more favourable seeding for the World Cup draw on April 1 is likely out of reach.
Baby steps, though. First, Canada needs to qualify for Qatar, and the silver lining is that the team could do so at home and kick off a celebration 36 years in the making.
Here are three thoughts from Canada's first loss in World Cup qualifying.
TALE OF TWO HALVES
Canada coach John Herdman named a unique lineup for this game. Ever-present centre-back Steven Vitoria was not risked due to a minor injury, Doneil Henry – his usual replacement – was suspended, so Herdman started four midfielders.
Some of those decisions paid off, like Atiba Hutchinson as a defender-midfield hybrid (more on him later).
Other choices were less rewarding.
Canada's major issue in the first half, apart from Kaye's unnecessary sending off, was defensive set pieces. By not having any of Vitoria, Henry or Scott Kennedy – who was on the bench along with Vitoria – no one in that side was a capable defender in the air.
The early warning signs were apparent after about 150 seconds when Costa Rican defender Francisco Calvo was wide open but fluffed his header.
Calvo latched onto another corner about nine minutes later, although this one was significantly more dangerous.
Celso Borges got in on the act shortly thereafter, too.
But Borges wasn't going to miss twice and converted the eventual winner.
“We said in the big learning from November, we were too aggressive," said Herdman. "We weren't controlling enough in our own defending quarter. We said we can't give those cheap free kicks away because the only way they are winning this tonight was a set piece and a transition and I thought we managed the transition brilliantly. But the set pieces when they have got [Kendall] Waston on the pitch, Calvo, they are good threats, and they've been training for two weeks on it.”
In terms of expected goals (xG), Canada generated 0.33 xG in the first half on four shots, none of which hit the target. Three of those attempts were blocked and half of that output was from outside the box. Costa Rica only had five shots, yet four came off those set pieces and Borges' goal.
Yet Costa Rica wasn't a major threat from open play when analyzing its first-half pass map and touch map. Then again, neither was Canada.
The game completely changed in the second half with some of Herdman's substitutions, primarily Junior Hoilett, who provided an outlet for Richie Laryea on the left and they managed to pick the lock of the Costa Rican defence a few times.
Stephen Eustaquio was equally brilliant in the second half and created two golden opportunities for Canada that went to waste.
“Absolute warriors," Herdman said of Laryea's and Eustaquio's performances. "I think that there is no doubt in my mind when you have players when they are fighting for a World Cup, they can find another level. The sports science will tell you they can play for 60 minutes in altitude and the human will, it will just keep pushing."
The common theme was Canada increasing the tempo of its attacks and weaponizing its superior speed. Costa Rica eventually sat back and absorbed pressure to the tune of 14 shots in the second half alone.
Ultimately, Canada won the xG battle 1.55 to 1.09 and Tajon Buchanan alone could've pulled the visitors level in three different sequences.
Jonathan David came just as close to wrapping up a World Cup berth, too.
“The response was solid," Herdman said. "I thought the boys responded really well. Football is football; cruel at times, it's been good to us for the last 17 [games] but we'll take this one on the chin tonight.”
Coaches will make decisions that occasionally go awry. The key is how the team and the coach adjust when it does, and to Canada's credit, it essentially righted the wrong of the first half. All it needed was that elusive goal.
THE AGELESS WONDER
There are no more superlatives to describe Atiba Hutchinson. At 39 years of age, the national team's all-time caps leader was deployed as a centre-back for the first time since the 2019 Gold Cup group stage, yet none would be the wiser based on his performance.
Hutchinson completed an astonishing 89 of 93 passes, nine recoveries, three tackles and one interception in his 90 minutes. But it was not just the accuracy of the passes, it was how he calmly orchestrated his side when building from the back to bypass Costa Rica's medium blocks. There were some lovely passages of play kick-started by the veteran that may not have been executed as precisely without him.
Even defensively, Hutchinson contributed greatly. Goalkeeper Milan Borjan might owe him a steak dinner for this intervention on Joel Campbell in the second half, which was arguably Costa Rica's only dangerous sequence in the final 45 minutes.
Once Canada is officially slated for Qatar in November, no one will deserve it more than Hutchinson, who has logged nearly 20 years of lows with this program. Thursday might sting but the last two years have seen significantly more highs, and hopefully for Hutchinson's sake, he experiences the euphoria he merits.
KONE SHINES IN DEBUT
Nineteen-year-old Ismael Kone was the headline inclusion on this roster after a hot start for CF Montreal. Even though he only registered just under 20 minutes versus Costa Rica, he showcased why Herdman, and many others, are enthralled by the youngster.
Kone checked into the game in the 77th minute and looked like he belonged from the moment he stepped onto the pitch. He completed all 11 of his passes and broke through Costa Rica's lines gracefully.
With Kaye suspended, don't be surprised if Herdman throws Kone into the starting lineup on Sunday against Jamaica. The Montreal midfielder has now played at Costa Rica's Estadio Nacional, Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and in two pivotal Concacaf Champions League second legs at home against Liga MX opposition. Kone has proven he can shine in big moments, and this can be a real boost in confidence to have that trust from his coach.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMib2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnNwb3J0c25ldC5jYS9zb2NjZXIvYXJ0aWNsZS9jYW5hZGFzLXdvcmxkLWN1cC1kcmVhbS1vbi1ob2xkLWFmdGVyLXRhbGUtb2YtdHdvLWhhbHZlcy12cy1jb3N0YS1yaWNhL9IBbmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnNwb3J0c25ldC5jYS9zb2NjZXIvY2FuYWRhcy13b3JsZC1jdXAtZHJlYW0tb24taG9sZC1hZnRlci10YWxlLW9mLXR3by1oYWx2ZXMtdnMtY29zdGEtcmljYS9zbi1hbXAv?oc=5
2022-03-25 05:44:00Z
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