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2012 was a big year in Canadian soccer. Major tournaments, qualifying cycles, a third team now in MLS, the future looks bright based on the potential seen over the previous 365 days. As is the case every year though, there were highs and lows, but 2012 perhaps had a few more extreme highs, and terrible lows.
To wrap up 2012 here at RedNation Online, we once again called upon our team of writers to come up with their thoughts on the year that was, the best and worst, and what they are looking towards in 2013.
See also: Progress begins with a reality check
It is often best to get the bad news out of the way first, and that format will not change this year. Without question there is a low point that supersedes all, and that is the CMNT's destruction in Honduras. It of course wasn't just that they couldn't progress to the next round, but the manner in which they were defeated that was embarrassing on so many levels. However, they were not alone as Toronto FC continued to be the laughing-stock of MLS hitting an all-time low, and while they had a great moment against the USA, the CMNT U20 side missed a great opportunity to position themselves for Olympic Qualifying.
On the flip side, there is the positive story that trumps all and that was the CanWNT's display at the 2012 London Olympics. Performances from Christine Sinclair, Melissa Tancredi and Diana Matheson, their match against the USA, and how they were able to come back, hang by a thread against France, and ultimately win a medal is the highlight of the national team this year.
See also: So long 2011. Welcome 2012.
This is the last article filed in 2012 and as always we would like to thank everyone who has come to, and supported RedNation Online since it launched in 2009. We wish you a happy and healthy 2013 and hope this year is one to remember in Canadian soccer.
Biggest disappointments from 2012
Two disappointments come to mind. The first definitely has to be the Canadian Men's National Team crashing out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Round after a humiliating 8-1 defeat to Honduras. Canada didn't have Mexico or USA in their group and I think should have easily progressed to the hex.
At club level, Montreal's inaugural season in MLS, I'd say, was a success. Not making the playoffs after a strong push doesn't disappoint me as I didn't expect the team to make the playoffs anyways. The disappointment would have to be the team's awful record on the road and losing to TFC 0-3 at home in June, thus starting a three-match losing streak.
– Kevin Duarte
Biggest disappointment - do I really even need to say what it is? I mean, there's only one choice for this category.
– Lars Lowther
There was no bigger disappointment than watching Canada's 2014 World Cup aspirations evaporate on that muggy day in San Pedro Sula in October. What was once a hope that Canada would reach the hex was extinguished within the first 20 minutes as Canada failed to show up against a motivated Honduran side and the humiliating 8-1 scoreline was what resulted. So what was a chance to build momentum in the national game is instead yet another instance where the men's game is in a holding pattern for the next while.
Having been to every game home and away for the better part of two years, seeing all that work go all for naught after so much build up and so much optimism was especially gutting.
– Gavin Day
At this point it should be obvious what was the most heartbreaking moment of 2012, but considering my biggest focus for the last few years has been at the club level, for me watching another wasted season at Toronto FC was the biggest disappointment.
Another year of short term solutions with no evidence of long-term vision or planning at the club definitely was most noticeable this season, with the results reflecting and reinforcing that pattern over the last six. It was capped off by, without question, the most abject football seen from TFC since April 2007. Through terrible, politically motivated appointments the team somehow became worse than how they started the year, with no evidence at the end of October if the same people were in charge, 2013 would be any different.
– Ian Clarke
Everyone will say it was the nine-game losing streak, or the plethora of injuries Toronto FC suffered, or that 8-1 loss Canada picked up in Honduras, but the biggest disappointment for me comes from the release of Eric Avila.
He is exactly the kind of player Toronto FC needed to build with, and could have been a crucial piece going forward, and, at the very least, could have been excellent depth for a club lacking midfield options. He was also someone I had a chance to get to know over the last two years and I’m sure he’ll do well in Colorado!
– Armen Bedakian
Unfortunately, it’s not much of a challenge to select my biggest disappointment. The Canadian Men’s Nation Team’s 8-1 loss in their final World Cup qualifying match still stings. Realistically, that match away in Honduras was always going to be a tough one in which to earn the result that Canada needed to move on to the final round of World Cup qualifying for the CONCACAF.
In that sense, I had kind of hoped for the best ahead of that game, but had also psychologically and emotionally prepared myself for a 2-0 defeat. In many ways, a score line such as that one would have been palatable and would allowed the Canadian team to exit with some grace knowing that they had missed out on The Hex by a single point and that they had delivered one of the better World Cup qualifying campaigns in recent memory and that progress had been shown. I don’t think the loss in Honduras negates everything that Canada achieved in the first five matches of the round, but it was certainly a very bitter pill for everybody involved with the Canadian team – the players, the coaching staff and the supporters.
– Steve Bottjer
Best moments from 2012
I like to look at the moment when the Canadian women's team qualified for the 2012 Olympics. While the bronze medal is what resonates for women, I look at the sight of 25-thousand fans packed into BC Place to watch Canada triumph over Mexico.
After watching the chemistry within that group and how they had rallied the support of the Canadian fans you just had the feeling that the group was capable of pulling off something special.
– Gavin Day
My best moment from 2012 was also hard not to select. Diana Matheson’s goal in extra time against France to earn the Canadian Women’s National Team an Olympic bronze medal is the unquestioned high point of 2012 for me. As monumentally good as Christine Sinclair was in 2012, the fact that someone other than Sincy scored the most important goal in Canadian soccer in a long time is a testament to the fact that the Canadian Women’s National Team is more than just the Christine Sinclair show. With all the deserved hype that Sinclair receives, it is important that the media, fans and even the players themselves see the rest of the squad as more than just supporting players for Sinclair. If Canada is to have success when we host the Women’s World Cup in 2015, that will have to be the mentality and other players will have assume major roles alongside Sinclair and rise to the occasion with big goals and big plays.
I’d also like to give special mention to my second favourite moment of 2012 - Terry Dunfield scoring the winning goal for Toronto FC in the final seconds of stoppage time against his former club the Vancouver Whitecaps in July. It wasn’t the prettiest goal you will ever see but the absolute joy expressed by Dunfield after he scored was marvelous to watch. Terry is a player who has a very pure love of the game and it was great to see him have his moment in the sun in what was an otherwise miserable 2012 league campaign for TFC.
– Steve Bottjer
Best moment for 2012 - Olympics. I didn't expect Canada to go to the semi-finals, let alone the medal round. The women pulled off an admirable performance and outperformed from where they were thought to be. The fact that they actually beat the Americans sans Norwegian referees demonstrated a lot of character and determination. It's too bad that the huge amount of work they did for the sport in the country was eclipsed a few months later by a men's team which set the attitude towards the sport in this country back once again.
– Lars Lowther
There are plenty of good moments to choose from in Montreal. Whether it was setting national attendance records for soccer, a beautifully renovated stadium, a strong playoff push with a five-match winning streak or the signings of Marco Di Vaio and Alessandro Nesta, you can't go wrong selecting any. To me, the best moment was the signings of Di Vaio and Nesta. This was one of the major reasons I looked forward to having a professional team in my city. I finally had a chance to see high quality footballers everyday and some from other teams visiting. I can't complain about the better level of play either.
– Kevin Duarte
Nothing can beat Terry Dunfield’s celebration after scoring the last-minute, game-winning goal against his former club (and hometown team) Vancouver Whitecaps. The way Dunfield got up and ran around the pitch was, at best, jubilant, and at worst, cringe-worthy, but none of that matters, because on the night, Toronto FC beat Vancouver.
My personal moment came from meeting Eric Hassli in the post-game pressers. Hassli is the coolest player in Major League Soccer bar none, and have a chance to chat with him was a pleasure.
– Armen Bedakian
While the CanWNT are without question the story of 2012 in Canadian soccer, I think another moment we could pin much hope to was the men's U20 performance at the Olympic qualifiers, specifically their 2-0 win over the USA. A country with far more resources in terms of finances and player depth, that win in a competitive tournament, against some of the brightest American players and coaches was inspiring and unveiled what could be some senior team fixtures for the years to come. Doneil Henry, Andreas Fresenga, Samuel PIette, Lucas Cavallini and Randy Edwini-Bonsu all put in some outstanding performances and give genuine promise for the years to come.
– Ian Clarke
What is most important for you in 2013?
Last year, I answered this section with the following:
“If Toronto FC can manage to find suitable, long-term replacements to Danny Koevermans and Torsten Frings (effectively giving Toronto FC’s project some longevity), then 2012 will be fairly successful on the field.”
I propose a simple amendment:
“If Toronto FC can manage to find suitable, long-term replacements to Danny Koevermans and Torsten Frings (effectively giving Toronto FC’s new project some much-needed (!) longevity), then 2013 will be fairly successful (oh, please, let it be at least a little successful) on the field.”
– Armen Bedakian
With the expected transition within the senior men's side, getting as many games as possible on FIFA dates is the priority. Canada has often played only a handful of games every year. With a Gold Cup coming up and the opportunity to get a new group of players a good number of games well in advance of 2018 World Cup qualifying--it's something the CSA needs to make a priority.
From what we've heard, Canada plans to have most of the FIFA dates filled with games so that's something they need to ensure happens.
With the Gold Cup coming up in July and a number of dates open for friendlies in June, it's the perfect opportunity to organize some friendlies in Canada. A lot of time has passed since Vancouver hosted a men's national team game and given what we've seen with the level of support for the Whitecaps and the women's team--maybe the time has come to test them out again.
– Gavin Day
In 2013, the most important thing in my opinion will be to see if Montreal can solve most of their problems from last year and make the playoffs. A fantastic foundation has been laid at the club and all that's missing is a few players and a coach that's able to get the team playing strong 90 minute matches. Montreal needs to stop giving away precious points in the final minutes of matches. Every point goes a long way come the playoff push in October.
– Kevin Duarte
The most important thing for me in 2013 will be to see the Canadian Men’s National Team bounce back at the 2013 Gold Cup. A strong performance there won’t completely wipe away the memory of the 8-1 loss to Honduras but it would go a long way towards supporting the idea that the game was at least a partial aberration. Other than that, I believe it is really important that the Canadian Soccer Associations gets it right with respect to hiring a qualified and capable Head Coach to lead the Men’s Program as the squad rebuilds with an eye to World Cup qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.
– Steve Bottjer
In 2013, at Toronto FC what's most important is to finally have direction. And by that I don't mean a new batch of taglines or mottos, a big 'announcement' with press conference in tow, a new glossy booklet in my season ticket package outlining pillars, but someone who is leading the organization, their vision is realistic - not marketing-based and are not susceptible to outside influence or internal politicking because they know what is required to run a successful football club. I'm hoping this person is Kevin Payne and having Tom Anselmi out of the picture, with hopefully a few more remnants of the regime that has run the club into the ground to follow, is the most important thing in 2013.
– Ian Clarke
2013's most important thing? Rediscovering my love for Canadian soccer. The brutal crushing in Honduras and TFC's 6th consecutive season of awful have left me feeling very apathetic. I love watching the sport of football but I find it hard to pull for teams which hold no attachment to me.
– Lars Lowther
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