Eye on the prize
Canada names its Copa America qualifying roster. There's a lot to play for.
There was a #CanMNT roster announced today. You probably aren’t getting the details of that here, but to set the scene fully, here it is:
GOALKEEPERS
Milan Borjan - ŠK Slovan Bratislava
Maxime Crépeau - LAFC
Dayne St. Clair - Minnesota United FC
DEFENDERS
Derek Cornelius - Malmö FF
Steven Vitória - GD Chaves
Luc de Fougerolles - Fulham FC
Alistair Johnston - Celtic FC
Kamal Miller - Inter Miami CF
Samuel Adekugbe - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Alphonso Davies - Bayern Munich
Richie Laryea - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
MIDFIELDERS
Ali Ahmed - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Stephen Eustáquio - FC Porto
Mark-Anthony Kaye - New England Revolution
Ismaël Koné - Watford FC
Jonathan Osorio - Toronto FC
Samuel Piette - CF Montréal
FORWARDS
Junior Hoilett - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Tajon Buchanan - Club Brugge KV
Lucas Cavallini - Club Tijuana
Jonathan David - Lille OSC
Cyle Larin - RCD Mallorca
Liam Millar - Preston North End
As with any roster announcement, some fans are taking issue with the make-up. The most common criticism is that not enough young players are getting a look.
As of the time of writing, 12% of fans (on some website being run into the ground by a megalomaniac) thought the roster was “awful.” Nearly half expressed a sentiment that leaned negative.
That’s to be expected. It’s been a rocky stretch for CanMNT since the World Cup and those struggles are being felt by the fans. Also, about 10% of fans are insane. That’s just a sports thing.
To be clear, no roster that has Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David on it is awful. So, you know, pump the breaks a bit there.
As for the suggestion that they should have brought along some younger players, that should have been a conversation last month. These are the two most important games of 2023.
Yes, I’m including the Nations League Final and the Gold Cup in that — Qualifying for the Copa America is an absolute must. I don’t even what to think about what will happen if they somehow don’t (they will get a backdoor qualifying opportunity if they stain the sheets this week. The four Nations League quarterfinal losers will play off in March for two additional spots in next summer’s tournament).
So, let’s book the spot for Copa ‘24 and then worry about working in a new backup holding midfielder. This isn’t really the time to be screwing around.
Speaking of not being the time to screw around, the gathering of players for this window will be the final time in 2023 that all the parties — players and the FA — are together. Now would be a great time to hammer out a CBA agreement.
It has been reported that the players have been offered a financial package that is similar to what European countries have offered their players. It’s also been suggested that the players might be getting some bad advice, which is prolonging a toxic situation.
Don’t pass over that link above. The Oct. 26 interview (on the Bob McCown podcast) with Scott Mitchell kind of got lost, but it is the most that anyone from CSB has spoken on record in some time. Mitchell isn’t directly involved in the CBA negotiations, but he provides some pretty interesting insight. Listen to the full hour, but especially listen to the back half of the episode. I might do a full post on this interview later this week.
Ninety-nine times out of 100, I’m pro player in labour disputes. Here, as well, I want the men to get what’s owed to them. However, I share the feeling of many that there might be some bad advice being given and that the only winners in this dispute right now are the lawyers.
The World Cup was a year ago. It’s time to put the hurt feelings aside and find a solution. I can’t help but think the dispute has impacted the play on the pitch.
Play that needs to be up to standard this month so that we can start dreaming of playing Brazil or Argentina in the Copa America (and, I suppose, Costa Rica in the 2024 Nations League semi-final).
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