With a year to go, FIFA World Cup countdown begins for ambitious host Canadians
It was for too early for a dress rehearsal and, with the main course still 12 months away, not yet appetizer time, either.
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But when Canada's men's national team convincingly defeated Ukraine 4-2 at BMO Field this past weekend, it certainly was an opportunity to unofficially launch the build to what by any measure will be the biggest year for elite soccer in this country.
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One year from Wednesday, the largest FIFA World Cup in history will kick off with a pair of games in Mexico. The following night, the other two host nations — Canada and the United States — lift the curtain fully with games on their own respective soil.
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For coach Jesse Marsch's Canadian side, the debut in the world's most-watched sporting spectacle begins with a Toronto date against a yet-to-be-determined opponent. An automatic qualifier as one of the three host nations, Canada's second consecutive World Cup appearance — and just third overall — the opportunity to advance (and win a game for the first time in the event's history) is a tantalizing possibility.
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While a year may seem far in the distance with plenty of construction left to be done both at BMO Field and its surroundings, and considerable building to take place on Marsch's ambitious roster, the host squad's win to kick off the four-team Canadian Shield held some palpable significance.
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'The final destination, which is the World Cup, is what is important,' Canadian midfielder Stephen Eustaquio said following Saturday's convincing triumph over the European visitors. 'The games from now on are going to be very tough. We have strong opponents coming up. We're going to be in Europe. We're going to play in the States.
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While still a glorified friendly, the 4-2 win over Ukraine — a team positioned five spots ahead of them at No. 25 in the latest FIFA world rankings — certainly was an opportunity for Canada to take their first strides at forging an identity. Marsch made it clear that preparations over the next 12 months will be critical in establishing a style that will stand up against opponents from different corners of the globe.
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The opposition in the Shield, a four-game glorified friendly (two for each participating country) dressed up as a tournament, were meant to replicate the diversity in style the Canadians are likely to face 12 months from now.
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'This is exactly what we wanted out of this calendar year and this tournament,' Marsch said. 'To try to get as many opponents that will challenge who we are, what we do. You can grow from these situations.
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'We all play a lot of matches against opponents in our region. But looking ahead to the World Cup, it's now imagining types of opponents you could be getting from all around the world and what those games feel like, what those opponents play like, the tactical nuances. For our players to experience what it is like to play in these types of games is important for our overall development.'
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