Reflections on the end (and Canada's run to the final 16)
Almost done now
At the start of this World Cup I announced that I would be winding down the blog. That hasn’t changed, but the timeline has been adjusted. I still have a story to tell so I’m going to continue to tell it until I feel it is complete. That might be a month; might be three. It will probably be something in between.
I am still turning off the paid aspect of the blog on Sunday.
But, do stick around. There will be updates.
The main reason I’m doing this is because I don’t want to feel pressure to update. My schedule just doesn’t allow me to be as active as I want to be (you’ll note that I made the most updates during the World Cup during my week’s holiday). So instead of being a blog that reacts to what’s happening, this space will turn into a writing space for longer form ideas that will sometimes be football related and sometimes not.
I also have been working on something very long-form on fandom and what it all means. Ok, I’m being cute. I’m trying to write a book. There, I said it. I want the writing time I have to mostly go towards that because I want to create something that is more lasting and truly articulates what I feel and think about soccer, and sports, and music, and all the passions that have given my life meaning and value. And I want it to be funny and touching.
So, no pressure. To accomplish that I need to free myself from one last addiction — the need for constant feedback and encouragement from my writing. The stuff that bloggers live off of. So, I might be harder to find online for a while. Both here and on social media.
Ok, enough of that. Let’s have a true Sober Second Thoughts on Canada’s run to the final 16 of the World Cup.
It’s a funny one, this. On one hand, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype of it all. Getting to the final 16 is undoubtedly an amazing accomplishment for this country. The win over South Africa truly did resonate well beyond the soccer community and it has given the sport an exposure it rarely gets.
I say rarely, because it’s not the first time. There was a bump after qualifying to Qatar and the women’s gold medal absolutely caused waves too. Not to mention deep MLS runs by TFC and the Whitecaps over the last 10 years. Even Montreal got into the mix with a CCL final and an epic battle with TFC. Out of politeness, I wont remind my Quebec Amies who won that series.
The sport wasn’t as in the wilderness as many breathless articles suggested during the run. In fact, had you asked me prior to the tournament, what my exceptions were I would have said “second place in the group, win the round of 32.”
That was always the most likely result, so as much as I am legitimately happy with the tournament — it was wonderful — I’m not completely over the moon on the outcomes. They did not outperform the expectations of informed observers. That’s ok. Few teams do at a World Cup — certainly this World Cup, which saw the top four seeds in the semi-finals — do/did.
Factor in the home pitch advantage, which is most manifested in the top seeding Canada got, thus giving them a group that they could reasonably finish second in, and there’s nothing really here that screams that they are ready for a true breakthrough. There’s nothing that says they aren’t either, in case anyone accuses me of being unnecessarily negative. There’s something to build on. But, they have to build.
Most pragmatically, they need to raise that FIFA ranking into the top 20. That would likely get them a pot B draw in 2030. Actually, let’s back up. Most pragmatically, they need to qualify for the 2030 World Cup, which is a prospect I welcome, if not look forward to.
The core of this team is still young. They seem to be doing better at development and at finding midfielders who have grannies from Winnipeg. Jesse Marsch can be a lot, but he also seems to know what he’s doing. So, there’s lots to like here.
Questions, too. Where is Jonathon David going to play, can Phonzie stay healthy, what the hell is going to happen to the Whitecaps, can the CanPL grow and thrive without a World Cup to attract investment.
A lot of questions.
Also, one amazing memory that was a lifetime of supporting and hoping in the making. Whatever happens during the next four years, we have a World Cup moment now. Finally.
That should make the ride, however unpredictable and occasionally bumpy it is, easier to navigate.
The first half against Morocco was worth the wait.
Looking forward to buying a copy of your new book.