+1Originally Posted by TorontoPat
Eligibility rules would be so much simpler if it was only eligible via citizenship, none of this 'my grandpa was born in another country' business
+1
Eligibility rules would be so much simpler if it was only eligible via citizenship, none of this 'my grandpa was born in another country' business
“Years have gone by and I’ve finally learned to accept myself for who I am: a beggar for good football.
I go about the world, hand outstretched, and in the stadiums I plead: ‘A pretty move, for the love of God.’
And when good football happens, I give thanks for the miracle and I don’t give a damn which team or country performs it.”
-Eduardo Galeano
That would be a case of immigration for non-footballing terms. I, like most of the people here, have no problem with that. Most of us here have a problem with someone choosing another country because his parents are from there, despite that fact he himself has never lived there.
This.
Last edited by Macksam; 09-06-2011 at 06:10 PM.
17 Mins on his Debut for City!
Owen Hargreaves is back baby!
The English produce some great players.......
I am not the one to complain about this kind of stuff. But what the hell does this have to do with TFC?????
I think it was floated before we signed Frings. Then continued as the Vancouver speculation mounted. I suppose now that it's a done deal this thread could be moved to the international forum.
still wouldnt have taken him, regardless of his goal and 57 mins on the field
Owen Hargreaves can eat fermented donkey penis ...
still attached to the donkey
Yeah, nothing to do with Toronto.... still a nice goal though.
People can play for who they want. It's not surprising the number of players born in Canada who don't play for it, honestly you can't blame these people Canada isn't much of a footballing country. That's the reality.
Last edited by FIAF; 09-21-2011 at 07:17 PM.
I think you should face palm your own post because....wait for it....
People can play for who they want. It's not surprising the number of players born in Canada who don't play for it, honestly you can't blame these people Canada isn't much of a footballing country. That's the reality.
YOU JUST HIGHLIGHTED THE PROBLEM!!!!
How are we supposed to become a good "footballing nation" if our talent keeps jumping ship?!?
this
Gawd I love this song.
FORMER FULL TIME KOOL-AID DRINKER
When there is proper professional and amateur infrastructure to support the development of top talent, then you will top talent sticking around.
As it is, top talent leaves for: A) Europe/South Am., B) USA, C) Anywhere else. Canada seems to be the last option/destination. That's the reality. Owen Hargreaves is just one example of this failed system.
I know there will be replies trying to offer a rebuttal using the Hargreaves situation, but you really have to look at the big picture not individual cases.
There is an ENORMOUS grass roots interest and activity in soccer in this country. Yet, there is nothing supporting this from the other end. Why is the game not promoted? Why are we not pushing for more MLS franchises on par with what is going on in the NHL, at least? why are we hampering the national team's with poor decision making?
Bottom line, there's no vision at the top level for the sport in Canada. Thus, we're not qualifying for the cup, we don't put any bids to host cup, there are no clear plans to develop pro soccer in Canada. Seems like everyone is pulling in different directions and doing it their own way.
Hopefully, the national team somehow makes the next world cup in spite of all the problems. This will be a huge step.
hrm. U20 WC, and now women's WC in 2015. not bidding for cups?
Canada is pretty much tapped out for MLS expansion with Mtl. you're nuts if you think any other cities outside Van/Mtl/Tor can support an MLS franchise right now
“Years have gone by and I’ve finally learned to accept myself for who I am: a beggar for good football.
I go about the world, hand outstretched, and in the stadiums I plead: ‘A pretty move, for the love of God.’
And when good football happens, I give thanks for the miracle and I don’t give a damn which team or country performs it.”
-Eduardo Galeano
NASL is the next stage.
But NASL and MLS will not be able to keep these players at home.
Let's admit it for what it is. These players aren't interested in their home country and just want cash to play for foreign countries.
That's what it is. As I said many pages back:
End of Story. Close thread.
I'd still rather lose with Canada than win with Someone else.
And Im talking National team not club team....
oh my aching head.
How about this ENORmous grass roots interest turn up for Canada games. The CSA is improving their approach to getting people out with a minimal marketing budget so they can overpay people like Morace to get our teams the best guidance. The recent failure in raising interest in the Women's side will be felt for a while I'm afraid and we'll have Hart for at least this cycle. Let's keep in mind that by the next World cup the CSA will be overhauling their cracked system completely.
If you're going to propose more radical change let's hear it.
"proper infrastructure" isn't very specific.
FORMER FULL TIME KOOL-AID DRINKER
Even if all this is true, why should it stop someone from playing for Canada?
Lot's of professional basketball players hone their games in private schools and then the college system in the US. They still play for their countries when it comes to national competition.
We have many young foreign hockey players now going through our minor hockey system and they still play for their countries.
So why can't a Canadian kid use the resources of a country with a good development system and still play for Canada?
Last edited by Suds; 09-22-2011 at 12:46 PM.
I've seen this a million times yet i still clicked on it and managed to laugh my ass off!
I laughed so hard that i developed tendonitis in my knee and now i'm going to miss another season. Thanks a lot Redcoat!
He's saying we need more super highways and Light Rail Transit before people will choose Canada.
I wonder how many people on here calling Hargreaves a cunt would choose to play for Canada if they were in his shoes talent-wise. I'll be the first to say I would jump ship to England or anywhere else if I was a foreign-heritage footballer and I had the option.
No matter how many "Support Local Football" videos you put up on youtube, this country is laughable when it comes to the national men's team and you're deluding yourself if you think otherwise.
This isn't an issue of players jumping ship but a reflection of where the sports stands in the national psyche, the lack of infrastructure investment in the game in Canada and, to some extent, our population's demographics.
You're essentially saying that Hargreaves should commit his national-team career to perpetual mediocrity and lack of any kind of success just to make a nationalistic point and to prove that he's a "real Canadian?" Come on now.
And it's club over country, anyway...
I would pick Canada over whatever.
I don't believe that playing for a national team should be tool to advance your playing career. If you're good enough, you should get noticed, right?
Why? Because the maple leaf means something. For me, it's not about playing for the best team available. It's representing the country that I love. And it should be an honour to represent Canada, whenever you have the chance.
I'm over the fact that guys like Hargreaves or Bunbury chose some other country over Canada. Clearly they don't care much for this country. All I ask of those guys is not to falsely lead people.
“Years have gone by and I’ve finally learned to accept myself for who I am: a beggar for good football.
I go about the world, hand outstretched, and in the stadiums I plead: ‘A pretty move, for the love of God.’
And when good football happens, I give thanks for the miracle and I don’t give a damn which team or country performs it.”
-Eduardo Galeano
^^Your apathy is noted.
Also if you have been following our team you'd know how close we've been close to qualifying over the years. If you don't think he would've made a difference to our team or the sports perception in this country you're deluding yourself with your overwhelming club over country mentality.
FORMER FULL TIME KOOL-AID DRINKER
I'm not apathetic. I just don't agree with you. One point I think you do have is that Hargreaves would have made a difference. Just like he would to any other national team. He just decided to choose the MNT he plays for with his brain rather than his heart, and that bothers you as a Canadian. I understand that.
All I'm saying is if I was in his shoes, I would probably choose the same. You can call me un-Canadian if you like, but while for you this is clearly a passionate, nationalistic past time, for footballers this is a job. If every minute you get to showcase your skill for potential employers depends on whether they're watching, do you think you have better odds of being noticed at Canada v St. Lucia, or at England v France?
And all I'm saying is your excusing him being a mercenary at the international level. I won't excuse that. If these players wanted to be respected more as businessmen than cheered as athletes then I'd go down to Bay Street with flags and banners before I'd watch football.
We don't jeer them for not staying at their home club but I like having the line being international football.
It's not really worth this back and forth since you've seemed to have already been decided. I just think it's a shame that it's considered by some that it's smarter to not be patriotic. I think you can be both.
FORMER FULL TIME KOOL-AID DRINKER
I'd play for Canada. Isn't playing in the EPL enough exposure? Playing for Canada would have been the correct decision if you consider yourself Canadian.
I never said people can't play for who they want. I have no clue why you quoted my post considering you didn't even touch on anything I said. All you did was drag the conversation back to the very beginning without going into any detail other than "People play for who they want. Canada sucks. That's the reality."
People can play for who they want. It's not surprising the number of players born in Canada who don't play for it, honestly you can't blame these people Canada isn't much of a footballing country. That's the reality.
Sure! Play for whoever the fuck you want! My point was that they shouldn't drain our resources, waste our time and money, only to bail on us at the last minute. If you don't want to play for Canada, fuck off!
Welcome to the board.
Last edited by Brooker; 09-22-2011 at 03:00 PM.
David Hoilett could b e another example. I consider him Canadian, howewver if he decides to play for Jamaica or England one day. He won't be Canadian anymore in my eyes.
I haven't watched this since it came out - and still find myself singing it a few times a week. Awesome
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