Posted by Ian Clarke

July 5 , 2013 Email

Ian Clarke



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First Thoughts

And so begins another edition of the Gold Cup as Canada supporters look to turn another page on what was a disappointing 2012. The 2013 tournament falls under the year where with World Cup qualifying still in it's final stretch, most nations send their 'B' team to compete. Canada unfortunately has the luxury of being able to send their best since they bowed out of qualifying last fall. However, several key players are missing from the roster and the opening match against Martinique, one most would think is the easiest from Group A, in fact will be a very difficult challenge for Les Rouges. The Black Hole Podcast...where everything is made up and the points don't matter. We are back with part two of our Gold Cup preview. Jeff, Lars, special guest Lee, and a surprise special guest compete against each other to try to win the first ever Black Hole prediction contest. Our four contributors weigh in on the lineups, results, and goal scorers for the CMNT during the Gold Cup. After the Gold Cup is over I get to choose the winner using mostly made up and baseless criteria. It's a guarantee that Jeff will lose simply because when he wins he becomes intolerable. One quick note: Once again news has moved a lot faster than we have and in between our recording and my editing a new Men's National Team coach has been announced. We will discuss that topic in a later episode. Open Player in a New Window | Subscribe | iTunes | MP3 Canada heads into their first game Sunday afternoon still in a state of transition. Despite the announcement of Benito Floro as head coach, Collin Miller will be leading the team as interim head coach for his fourth time, and third this year. Martinique are on a positive run of late, buoyed from having qualified for the tournament for the first time since 2003. With their status only being a CONCACAF member, they are able to call up France-born players and as a result will be a much tougher opponent than originally thought. Canada's attack has struggled for many years without a top shelf goal scorer, and that deficiency could rear it's head in this year's Gold Cup. If Canada can't finish their chances, and come out looking to score against Martinique, it will an opening game, and tournament to forget for Canada supporters. Will Johnson



Keep Thinking

A new tournament, new competition, couldn't come any sooner for Canada as they look to distance themselves from last October's debacle that ended their 2014 World Cup dreams. There have been changes abound with the Men's National Team, with Stephen Hart stepping down and Collin Miller having been appointed on three occasions as the interim coach for friendles through the start of 2013.



Despite it not being the most competitive of the tournament held every two years, it still presents opportunity for Canada on more than one level. The winner of this year's Gold Cup will face the winner of the 2015 edition for the chance to compete in the Confederations Cup. Collin Miller has been given another chance to extend his resume and experience as a Canadian head coach. And lastly, with a handful of players taking a pass on playing this time around, there is plenty of opportunity for some younger players to stake a claim with the team moving forward.



Canada will face off against Martinique on Sunday afternoon at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, to kick off their Group A fixtures. When seeing the draw for this year's Gold Cup, at first glance Martinique comes across as a sure thing for three points. However, one only needs to look back at the 2011 Gold Cup and recall that teams that are thought to be Caribbean minnows have offered Canada stiff competition in the past. Keven Aleman



What is Martinique's x-factor is they are not a FIFA recognized country. This means as a member of CONCACAF, they can call up France-born players as long as they have not played for France within five years. Martinique has exercised this option as several players called-up are not in fact player born on the island nation. Guadeloupe was a similar nation back in 2011 and Canada only managed to scrape by them off a Dwayne De Rosario penalty kick for a 1-0 victory.



Scoring has been Canada's weakest area and this will likely be an issue again this year and in the Gold Cup. Already, Canada's recent friendly against VC Fusion demonstrated a lack of clinical finishing that saw them unable to beat the PDL side. It was a friendly and intensity may not have been at a peak, but it will require Canada to take it to another level if they are to leave the tournament with any momentum moving forward.



The loss of Atiba Hutchinson, Andre Hainault and even Lucas Cavallini are certainly blows to Canada's chances. However, as noted it presents opportunity to several players. The midfield is certainly in a position to reestablish itself, and now lead by Will Johnson, it will have a true professional with an outstanding attitude taking charge. Whether Miller decides to change it up from the midweek game, the potential to get Samuel Piette involved, as well as Russell Teibert and Randy Edwini-Bonsu should also be seen as priorities as continuing their development and showcasing them will be important for the mid to long term.



The midfield will be critical in the opening game because they may be called upon to supplement the attack that has not been convincing of late. Marcus Haber has shown to be a good, physical target up top, but he will require service if his strengths are to be demonstrated. Delivery from out wide will need to be a priority, and even Simeon Jackson, someone who has been clutch at the club level but not at the international level, has scored some of his greatest goals on balls swung in from the wings. Milan Borjan



Defensively Canada will also be tested. With Kevin McKenna hanging up his international boots, and Andre Hainault training and signing a contract with Aalen in the 2.Bundesliga, that leaves a significant experience gap in the backline. David Edgar and Doneil Henry are not an experienced centre back pairing and the fullbacks of, likey Nik Ledgerwood and Marcel De Jong will bring the veteran presence. This will be important because Martinique does offer the potential for a dangerous attack that will need to be managed.



Frederic Piquionne is the name some may recognize as the Portland Timbers attacker and teammate of Will Johnson. His pedigree at very good Ligue 1 teams in France (St.Etienne, Monaco, Lyon), as well as the English Premiership (Portsmouth, West Ham) should indicate he will be a player to watch closely, both going towards goal and creating. Piquionne is a player who received a call-up to France in 2007 and now that his five years have passed, returned to playing for Martinique to help get them to qualify for the Gold Cup. He will be likely grouped with Kevin Parsemain who has been Martinique's leading scorer, and Yoann Arquin who plays for Notts County.



Canada's last piece will be between the posts. Recent friendlies might indicate otherwise, but Milan Borjan is unquestionably Canada's number one right now and needs to take hold of this spot and perform like Craig Forrest and Lars Hirschfeld have before him. A strong tournament will go a long way in furthering his career and Borjan still hasn't broken out for Canada with a huge performance. He will no doubt be tested often through the Gold Cup and will need to stay mentally sharp.



For Canada to succeed in the opening game, they might need to take on the mentality of Martinique, who are coming in likely thinking they have nothing to lose. While there are always expectations and pressure for Canada to do well, if they can let it all hang out and simply release themselves and simply play, they might surprise a few people as there is good individual talent on the team.



Establishing themselves in the attack will be paramount as there is not enough defensive experience to withstand waves of attack, so the best defence will be a good offense. Getting some pace out wide and physical bodies in the middle should pay dividends and Miller will need to be shrewd in his player selection. Against the likes of Martinique, a player like Julian De Guzman might be best suited waiting for Mexico and letting a more physical tandem of Johnson and Piette fortify the back line. If Canada gets the line-up right, and tailored for Martinique, a result should emerge to start the tournament off right. Canada Press Conference--Colin Miller & Nik Ledgerwood



In the end

Canada will no doubt be looking forward to turning a page on their last year and the Gold Cup presents a chance to forget 2012 and bring momentum moving forward with the coaching changes made at the team in the last 24hrs. Starting off Group A might have looked like an easy match against Martinqiue, but they will present stiff competition from a solid upgrade in talent over the last few months. Canada will need to step up their offensive output and creating chances will be imperative to ensuring Martinique are not given a chance to grow in confidence. If Canada plays with no inhibitions towards goal, and finish better than midweek, they should start the tournament off on the right foot.



Prediction

Canada 2-1 Martinique

