Japanese star earns kudos in first MLS start

Masato Kudo made his mark Saturday night in his first Major League Soccer start.

The Whitecaps striker was at the centre of the play that led to Vancouver’s controversial 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo at B.C. Place Stadium.

Pedro Morales scored on a penalty-kick in the 23rd minute after Kudo was pushed down from behind by Dynamo defender Jalil Anibaba in the Houston box. Vancouver (2-2-0) posted its second consecutive win, while the Dynamo fell to 1-2-1.

The goal from the PK punctuated a strong opening for Kudo, who was robbed by Houston goalkeeper Joe Willis on a two-on-one with Kekuta Manneh in the 15th minute.

 “I thought (Kudo’s) movement was very good," said Vancouver coach Carl Robinson. “He’ll be disappointed he didn’t score the goal. It was a great bit of link-up play. He usually eats them up in training.”

Kudo, a former Japanese League star, joined the Whitecaps on a free transfer in the off-season. He gave the Whitecaps an offensive spark almost from the get-go. Willis was forced to stop Octavio Rivero on a back-heeled shot in the 12th minute off a pass from Kudo, who made a number of dangerous runs and caused Dynamo coach Owen Coyle fits on the decisive penalty call.

Kudo was fouled while trying to field a cross that was already beyond him.

"That's never a penalty in a million years," said Coyle. "Unfortunately for us, it's been given."

Coyle felt his team dominated after that point, but Kudo helped the Whitecaps control play in the early going as Houston goalkeeper Willis delivered a masterful effort. The Whitecaps were credited with six shots on target in the first half alone.

“It’s hard to sit here having no points in that game, given the level of the performance that we put into the match,” said Coyle. “But there you go. As you know, it can be a very cruel game.”

The timing of international call-ups can also be cruel, as the Whitecaps found out Saturday while playing with a make-shift back line. It contained contained only veteran starter in left back Jordan Harvey and just one natural central defender in Pa-Modou Kah.

Houston’s domination, as Coyle saw it, was probably debatable, although the Dynamo did put a shot off the crossbar and another off the post. The visitors rarely threatened to score until the Whitecaps withstood a free kick from the top of their box and a corner-kick in the closing minutes.

“We’ve got a squad for a reason – to give guys an opportunity to play,” said Robinson. “I think the guys who stepped in did themselves a lot of good.”

Robinson also bolstered his team’s defensive coverage by substituting Sam Adekugbe and Jordan Smith, who are usually defenders, into midfield positions in the second half.

“From Carl’s point of view, we, maybe, wanted to get a bit more of a strong presence in the box with Sam Adekugbe and Jordan Smith,” said goalkeeper David Ousted. “I think that was the idea. We were trying to make sure we didn’t get over-run on the flanks.”

Ousted did not dispute Coyle’s contention that Houston dominated after the controversial penalty-kick. But the Caps goalkeeper only cared about the final result after his team blanked a Dynamo squad that scored 11 goals in its three previous games.

“We kept a clean sheet and won 1-0,” said Ousted. “So, looking at it that way, we did tremendously well.”

Thanks in large part to Kudo’s early exploits.

Impact downs Whitecaps without Drogba

The Montreal Impact did not miss Didier Drogba on Sunday.

Ignacio Piatti scored two goals, including the winner, and added an assist as the Impact edged the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-2 at B.C. Place Stadium. Piatti provided the offence as Cameroonian superstar Drogba stayed home because he did not want to play on the artificial turf at B.C. Place Stadium.

“I think that (Piatti) had an excellent match,” said Montreal coach Mauro Biello, speaking in French. “He was extraordinary on the ball. What decisions! … Two excellent goals.”

The Impact held 2-0 and 3-1 leads from which the Whitecaps – who controlled play for long stretches, particularly in the second half – could not recover. Piatti scored his goals in the 19th and 88th minutes while taking advantage of defensive breakdowns.

On the first, after a giveaway by rookie Whitecaps defender Fraser Aird, he was allowed to run across the Vancouver box with the ball and slot home a shot in the lower right corner. The second goal came on a counter-attack as Piatti took a pass from Dominic Oduro on a two-on-one, drew Vancouver goalkeeper David Ousted to the near post and then slid a shot inside the far post.

“At different moments, he made it look easy,” said Biello in English. “And, to be able score two goals like that on the road was great.”

Oduro scored the other Impact goal on a miscommunication by Ousted and central defender Kendall Waston. Ousted slid past a loose ball as Oduro was running on to a lead pass from Piatti, leaving an open net to shoot at freely.

“We have a lot of guys that score goals this year, and (Piatti) showed that tonight,” said Impact goalkeeper Evan Busch.

In other words, Montreal can rely on more players than Drogba, who scored 11 goals and helped the Impact make a late run to the playoffs after he signed midway through the 2015 season.

“Obviously, (Drogba), we can’t take away what he brought to the team last year,” said Biello, continuing in English. “He’s a superstar, but I stress the importance of everybody on this team and the roles that they play and the responsibilities that they have. Each one of them is important. And, when they get their opportunity to perform, it’s about moments – and it’s about being good in those moments.

“From our ’keeper all the way to our best player, we have to have a mindset that’s shared and ready to fight. With the quality of players that we have, we feel that we have a balanced attack – and when (Drogba) comes back, it’s going to help us more.”

Jordan Harvey, on a Pedro Morales free kick in the 45th minute, and Waston on a header off a Christian Bolanos corner-kick  moments before the final whistle, scored for the Whitecaps.

“I’d rather win than score,” said a dejected Waston.

In addition to demonstrating Montreal’s offensive diversity, the game hinted that Canada’s MLS squad could excel this season. The Impact appears to be a solid team, the Whitecaps are viewed as a championship contender, and Toronto FC should be considerably better after missing the playoffs last season.

Stay tuned for some strong results from the Canadian squads – with or without Drogba in Montreal’s lineup.

Whitecaps score wins off pitch, add talent on

The Vancouver Whitecaps are just starting the 2016 season, but they have already scored some big wins.
Entering its sixth Major League Soccer season, the club has increased its season ticket base by about 1,500 to 15,500. As a result, the B.C. Place Stadium lower bowl has been reconfigured to allow for a maximum of 22,100 fans, up from the previous sellout mark of 21,000.
For games against L.A. Galaxy on April 2, Seattle Sounders on Oct. 2 and defending champion Portland Timbers, seating capacity will be increased to 25,000.
Also, team COO Rachel Lewis said during a media round table that the Whitecaps have signed 10 new corporate partners, including Red Bull -- which has never sponsored a team before -- and BCAA, the province's automobile association. And, Whitecaps games will now be broadcast on TSN 1040, which draws a larger audience than previous station host TSN 1410.
The club has also opened up a new hospitality section for an exclusive 25-member club and in the past year donated $1 million to B.C. Children's Hospital.
On the playing side, the Caps have likely gained more offence by acquiring strikers Masato Kudo, who formerly played in Japan's J-League and Blas Perez, who previously played for FC Dallas, and Costa Rican midfielder Christian Bolanos, a participant in two FIFA World Cups.
"We've added up front, where we were short (goals) last year," said club president Bobby Lenarduzzi, whose team was blanked in a first-round playoff series loss to Portland in 2015 and struggled to score consistently in the regular season.
Young Canadian defenders Sam Adekugbe and Fraser Aird should help shore up a strong back line. Adekugbe is entering his second season with the Caps while Aird begins his first. Both have a chance to see extensive action at left and right back, respectively. Another Canadian, Kianz Froese, has the potential to provide an offensive spark in midfield as coach Carl Robinson seeks more goals from the engine room.
As a result of the improvements, the Whitecaps are viewed as serious, if not strong, MLS Cup contenders. Time will tell whether they can live up to expectations, but Lenarduzzi is feeling quite optimistic, even though he knows all teams do at this time of year.
"Going into the season, it feels like this is the deepest roster we've had," he said.

Don't rule out a Stamkos trade

Points to ponder as the National Hockey League trade deadline approaches ...

1. Steven Stamkos could still be traded.

Contrary to perception, Tampa Bay general manager Steve Yzerman could still trade the Lightning captain. Yzerman just won't do it by the Feb. 29 trade deadline.
By announcing that he will not move Stamkos between now and the end of the season, Yzerman has covered the bases -- and his backside. The decision means that Stamkos, one of the best players in the world, can still help the Bolts push for a playoff spot, the star centre and the team will not be distracted by trade speculation, and Yzerman can still try to get his best player signed to a new contract.
If contract negotiations do not go as planned, Yzerman still has the option of trading Stamkos around the time of the NHL Draft or prior to the opening of free agency.
Stamkos would still have to agree to a trade, which means that he might not go at the draft, because he will want to choose where he plays next. But it's feasible that he could consent to a trade prior to becoming a free agent, because he would not have to relocate and could simply wait until his contract expires.
If Yzerman deals him prior to the free agent frenzy, the Lightning could still get a decent return, the team that acquires him would have an exclusive negotiating period. If the team that acquires him fails to strike a deal, it could trade him before free agency opens.
A similar scenario occurred in 2010 when Dan Hamhuis made it known that he would not re-sign with Nashville. The Predators dealt him to Philadelphia for a conditional 2011 draft pick and Ryan Parent. When the Flyers could not sign Hamhuis, they traded him to Pittsburgh for a third-round pick. The Penguins were also unable to ink him to a deal, and he eventually chose to sign with Vancouver.
In the case of Stamkos, a team, say Toronto, could give up more if it feels quite confident about signing him.

2. Canucks are in a rebuild

Despite recent reports suggesting otherwise, the Canucks are in a rebuild.
It is ludicrous to suggest that owner Francesco Acquillini is opposed to one, because eight players have made their NHL debuts with Vancouver this season, and four are currently with the team. Also, the Canucks only have 13 players who were with the team at the start of last season.
If Acquillini was unhappy with president Trevor Linden and GM Jim Benning's current strategy and philosophy, he would fire them, but he hasn't.
The Canucks are not done dealing and will be sellers at the trade deadline to free up more salary cap space and have access to more young talent. That means the likes of defenceman Hamhuis and winger Radim Vrbata, among others, could be moved.

3. Willie Desjardins needs PR tips

Somebody needs to tell Canucks coach Willie Desjardins not to be so self-critical.
He blamed himself for losses to lowly struggling Toronto and Minnesota clubs in the past two games. Never mind that most of the Canucks' offensive players have trouble hitting the broad side of a barn with their shots these days.
The fact is that the Canucks can't score enough goals, and that problem is due more to a lack of production from veterans than poor coaching. And, it should be noted, the veterans' offensive troubles began well before Desjardins arrived.
Desjardins is still keeping the Canucks within spitting distance of a playoff spot despite numerous injuries and the integration of young players as part of the aforementioned rebuild. He has come under criticism for repeatedly rolling four lines, but what's the use of going with three lines if only one of them can score consistently? If he reduces the fourth line's ice time, the Canucks could be more vulnerable defensively, and they will not score more goals. And, key players like Daniel and Henrik Sedin and Jannik Hansen could be vulnerable to increased fatigue and injuries.
Desjardins' primary fault when it comes to PR is that he is serious and introspective publicly, in contrast to other moments away from the cameras when he is much more jovial and happy-go-lucky. But it's hard to be happy-go-lucky when you don't have enough consistently scoring veterans to work with.
 
4.  Goalies could be on the move

This year's trade deadline could feature more goaltenders than usual as teams try to improve their playoff hopes and others try to get value for impending unrestricted free agents.
The Montreal Canadiens, in danger of missing the playoffs after a phenomenal start to the season, could be inclined to acquire a goaltender as Carey Price remains out with an injury. Meanwhile, other teams might be interested in Carolina's Cam Ward, who has won a Stanley Cup, Calgary's Jonas Hiller, Toronto's James Reimer, San Jose's Alex Stalock or L.A.'s Jhonas Enroth. All could help in the stretch drive.
Vancouver's Ryan Miller still has a year to go on a contract that pays him $6.5 million annually, but the Canucks might be inclined to move him as Jakob Markstrom continues to progress. Miller would have to agree to a deal, but might be willing if he feels the new team's Stanley Cup hopes are strong. The new team could then buy out Miller in the off-season.

5. Some big names could change teams

With Stamkos staying in Tampa, some other big names, who are also destined to become UFAs, could change uniforms at the deadline. The others include Carolina's Eric Staal, Florida's Brian Campbell, Vancouver's Vrbata, Arizona's Shane Doan and David Backes of the St. Louis. Staal, Doan and Backes are captains, adding more captain-related intrigue to a season that has already seen the speculation on Stamkos and former Maple Leafs skipper Dion Phaneuf move to the Ottawa Senators.

6. Expect the unexpected

In keeping with most trade deadlines, some unexpected deals will inevitably stun fans. The main question is: How many of these will occur?

 






  

NHL predictions not to live by in 2016

Predictions about the Vancouver Canucks and other NHL matters that you can't take to the bank or live by as 2016 unfolds ...

1. Willie Desjardins will make the Canucks a better team.

Desjardins has been maligned for his extensive use of goaltender Ryan Miller, who is just coming back from an injury, line combinations and late-game coaching tactics. But the funny thing is that the Vancouver Canucks coach still has his team challenging for a playoff spot in a Pacific Division in which everybody but Los Angeles has struggled. Despite a plethora of injuries and some bad spells, Desjardins has figured out a way to muddle through at the worst of times -- despite a blatant lack of production from veterans. He has done so while deploying numerous young players who have made their NHL debuts.
Predecessors John Tortorella and Alain Vigneault, who were not inclined to trust young players, would have been hard-pressed to match his feats. Despite Tortorella's comment that veterans were "stale" as he exited Vancouver, the former Canucks coach refused to gamble on centre Bo Horvat and quickly shipped him back to junior. And, Torts is not doing much of anything with a youth-laden Columbus Blue Jackets lineup now.
Vigneault did not face as much pressure to go with youth while guiding the Canucks to a pair of President's trophies, and he received little recruiting help from former general manager Mike Gillis -- who struggled at drafting, to say the least. But it is doubtful that Vigneault would have had as much success as Desjardins.
Barring a total collapse, it says here, the Canucks will be in the playoff mix right until the end of the regular season. Years from now, players like Horvat, Sven Baertschi (who is starting to experience a career renaissance), Jake Virtanen, Alex Biega and Ben Hutton will be highly grateful for the help that they received from Desjardins in their early days in the NHL.
It remains to be seen how long Desjardins will stay in the league with them, because as the firing of his close friend Mike Johnston in Pittsburgh demonstrates, teams have little patience for bench bosses who get their first NHL head coaching jobs at the age of 57. (In case you have forgotten, both Johnston and Desjardins were 57 when hired.) But history now proves that Desjardins made an astute move by choosing the Canucks over the star-studded Penguins.
And, time will show that Desjardins, who has won a championship at every level at which he has coached, will make several more wily moves before leaving the Canucks bench.

2. Jake Virtanen will not be a liability.

Contrary to what many people might think, Canucks rookie Jake Virtanen is not a hot-head. Never mind the two penalties that he took on the same shift while playing for Canada against Finland at the world junior championships. While Virtanen admittedly let his emotions get the best of him on the second infraction, he is not likely to make the same mistake often.
Also, as demonstrated by his tying goal on Roberto Luongo in a comeback victory over the Florida Panthers, he can score at critical times. The marker, which came in the final two minutes of the third period, was definitely a goal scorer's goal.
Many have questioned why Virtanen has not been returned to junior, but the fact is that he can make an effective contribution while the Canucks continue to transition to a younger roster. Despite critics' complaints about a lack of production, he is producing a point roughly once every four games -- and several Vancouver vets would like to have that kind of efficiency.
Virtanen's numbers are not great, but still likely to improve by the end of the regular season as his confidence and playing time increase. Don't be surprised if you see him playing late in games more often.

3. The Canucks makeover is far from complete.

While Canucks GM Jim Benning has commenced his youth movement in earnest, his roster tinkering has barely begun. With veterans like Dan Hamhuis, Radim Vrbata and Chris Higgins (now in the minors) slated to become free agents and millions of dollars in salary cap space due to be cleared, Benning's next steps will involve the acquisition of more draft picks and high-priced veteran talent. The Canucks appear likely to be sellers at the trade deadline, while still attempting to secure a playoff spot.
First, the onus will be on unloading veterans as playoff rentals in exchange for draft picks, because other teams are not likely to surrender significant talent unless they want to -- and know they can -- sign Vancouver's castoffs.
In the offseason, Benning's primary aim will be to sign high-priced free agents, namely a stud defenceman and offensively gifted forward. Given the ongoing youth movement at centre, that offensive player is likely to be a winger. If Benning feels like gambling, he might also want to unload Miller, who has become increasingly prone to injury, at the deadline and free up $6 million that he is due to receive next season. Other clubs could be willing to pay a decent price for Miller as they seek post-season goaltending insurance. Otherwise, Benning will likely think hard about dealing him in the summer.

4. Steven Stamkos will be traded by the deadline.

It's getting too late in the game for Stamkos, who is due to become an unrestricted free agent, and the Tampa Bay Lightning braintrust to resolve their apparent rift. Stamkos is not even offering any platitudes about a desire to stay in Tampa if contract terms can be sorted out, and Lightning GM Steve Yzerman can not afford to let him walk for nothing.
The Lighnting captain's availability will cause seismic activity throughout the league, because some teams will be willing to pay a high price even if they can only get him for a Stanley Cup run. The ideal scenario would be for the Lightning to give Stamkos and his agent the chance to pursue a sign-and-trade deal.
Either way, Stamkos will likely get moved, and the trade will impact the Lightning and other teams beyond this season.
More than one team could be involved in a trade for him, and other clubs will likely make moves in response as they chase the Stanley Cup. With some blue-chip prospects available in this year's draft, high-end picks could also come into play and add to the deal's future impact on a number of teams.

5. The Toronto Maple Leafs will make several trades by the deadline.

See above re: Stamkos. The Leafs, who are looking to unload veterans and their big contracts, will likely be among the finalists in the bidding for Stamkos either at the trade deadline or through free agency. The Toronto native is an obvious franchise player to build around as coach Mike Babcock continues to implement a culture of winning and Leafs management aims to develop a younger, more talented roster.
By acquiring Stamkos before he becomes a free agent, the Leafs would have an exclusive period in which only they could negotiate a long-term contract with him. Also, the departure of veterans could help ensure that the Leafs finish low in the standings and get an early draft pick. Such a scenario might result in highly touted American prospect Auston Matthews or another world junior star heading to Toronto.
Babcock would not let the Leafs tank, but he wouldn't complain about a lottery pick.

Whitecaps looking forward to home-field advantage in playoffs

The Vancouver Whitecaps made no apologies for securing home-field advantage in the playoffs, almost by default, for the first time in their Major League Soccer history Sunday evening.
The Whitecaps earned a first-round bye as they blanked the Houston Dynamo 3-0 before a sellout crowd of 21,000 at B.C. Place Stadium. The Caps ended a five-game winless skid as they finished second in the Western Conference with a 16-13-5 record. But Vancouver coach Carl Robinson was feeling over the moon – not dwelling on the late-season swoon.
“Obviously, we’re happy,” said Robinson. “I think we got what we deserved. I’m a big believer (that), in this game, if you put your hard work in and you do things right, you get your rewards – and I think we got our rewards today. We deserved to win the game.”
Vancouver caught a break as Sporting Kansas City edged the L.A. Galaxy 2-1, giving second place to the Canadian squad. But Robinson was not doing any scoreboard watching as the Whitecaps used delay tactics for much of the final 10 minutes to preserve the win.
“We didn’t deserve to get to be where we are at the moment if we didn’t win, so I didn’t want to lose my focus, because if I lost my focus, then my players lose their focus,” said Robinson.
Kekuta Manneh gave the Caps the only goal they needed in the 59th minute before Kendall Waston headed home a Christian Techera corner kick in the 72nd minute and Robert Earnshaw headed the final goal in moments after subbing into the game in stoppage time.
The Whitecaps finally connected on some of their chances after failing to finish in the first half, although Techera hit the crossbar 13 minutes into the game. Sporting Kansas City did little in the second half after threatening briefly in the first 45 minutes on a pair of Giles Barnes free kicks and his shot from 20 yards out, which Vancouver goalkeeper David Ousted stopped.
In the first round, Seattle will host L.A. and Sporting Kansas City will travel to Portland in a pair of single-knockout quarter final games. The Whitecaps will then play the first-round winner with the best regular-season record. Dallas will play the victor with the second-best regular-season record. Both semifinals will be two-leg, aggregate-goal series. The winners will then advance to the Western Conference finals and MLS Cup series.
“It’s huge,” said Ousted of the first-round bye. “It gives us a break Wednesday (and Thursday not having to play) that one-off game, and then it certainly gets us into a two-way game (in) which I think our chances are a little bit better than in the one-off.”
Like his coach, Ousted was not apologizing after Vancouver got some help from a temporary friend, Sporting Kansas City. In contrast to the previous three seasons, the Whitecaps secured a playoff berth with weeks to go in the regular season and avoided a mid-summer swoon. But they suffered a late-season slump this year instead.
“I’d say we’ve been lucky when the results have gone our way, but we are also in second because we deserve to be here, because we’re the second-best team in this (conference),” said Ousted. “We’ve showed that over a (season). Maybe, in the last month, we haven’t showed it as much, but we’re here for a reason.”
In other words, he and Robinson believe that things eventually even out and a team’s talent proves itself over the full campaign.
“Over 34 games, the league doesn’t lie,” said Robinson.
Despite being the youngest team in MLS, the Whitecaps endured several injuries – including an ongoing hamstring problem that has forced captain Pedro Morales to miss most of the second half of the season -- and player absences due to suspensions and international duty. In the playoffs for the second year in a row and third time in their history, the Caps will now attempt to prove that they are for real in the post-season.
Vancouver lost do-or-die games to L.A. in 2012 and Dallas in 2014, with the winners both scoring decisive goals on penalty-kicks. Robinson does not want his youthful club just to try and survive in the playoffs. So he has already delivered a distinct message to his charges regarding quest for the MLS Cup.
“Let’s not cope,” he said. “Let’s try and win it.”
Vancouver’s opening series could have some added intrigue, because the Caps have a 50-50 chance of playing regional rival Portland or Seattle. In either case, hundreds of fans would travel to the away legs, adding plenty of colour and hostility to the intense atmosphere.
“It could be a fantastic matchup, either against Timbers or Sounders,” said Ousted. “The fans would enjoy that a lot – and so would I.”

CSA president hopes Women's World Cup overshadows FIFA scandal

The president of the Canadian Soccer Association hopes the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Canada can help restore the game’s “moral compass” in wake of an alleged $10-million FIFA corruption scandal.
"It's a positive thing that the first tournament after this, whatever happened in the last week, is the Women's World Cup, because women's football is a very pure form of football," Victor Montagliani said Thursday during a tournament-opening press conference at a Vancouver hotel. “And, I think women's football can shine some light on the dark clouds that are hanging over the game."
Montagliani, CSA secretary-general Peter Montopoli and FIFA officials were grilled by reporters in wake of the corruption scandal that resulted in president Sepp Blatter resigning this week after he gained re-election and senior FIFA officials being arrested and indicted in the U.S. and Switzerland last week. Former FIFA official Chuck Blazer has said that he and other officials accepted bribes in relation to the 2010 and 1998 men’s World Cup tournaments.
Repeated requests from a FIFA spokeswoman Thursday to focus on the upcoming tourney fell on deaf ears as the FIFA scandal dominated.
"Whether you call it irony or destiny – I don't know how you want to call it – but I think we should all (be thankful) that it's the Women's World Cup that is immediately following here,” said Montagliani, “because I think it's an opportunity for women's football to shine some light onto the game that, perhaps, has lost a little bit of its moral compass."
At one point, Montagliani insisted the CSA had “absolutely not” bribed officials to earn the right to host the 24-team event in six countries. He said Canada was the only country that bid on the event.
Montagliani also came under questioning for his relationship with provisionally dismissed CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb, who was indicted last week on bribery charges. Before the allegations came to light, said Montagliani, it would be difficult not to respect Webb, who has led anti-racism, fair play and new CONCACAF governance initiatives.
“Now, having said that, if the allegations that came out last week are true, then obviously that will change a lot of people’s opinion,” said Montagliani. “I hope (Webb’s alleged corruption) is not (true), because, obviously, we know there’s no room in the game for those kinds of things.”
Montagliani said he is praying for Webb, once regarded as “the hero of football” and his family. The CSA president previously described both Webb and FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke, who is now accused of negotiating bribes, as an inspiration.
Montagliani contended that he only knew Webb and Valcke through CONCACAF’s executive committee and the CSA’s distance from the alleged scandal is “quite a bit” because it does not get involved in “stuff” like FIFA television rights, and has “due diligence” in place.
He took exception to a Reuters reporter again asking him about Webb, especially after the disgraced CONCACAF boss, had been praised by media in the past.
"With all due respect, you and your colleagues were saying the exact same thing," said Montagliani. "You need to, maybe, look in the mirror a little bit and, maybe, not put people on a pedestal so you can whack the hell out of them after.”
Despite the scandal-related questions, some positive points did emerge from the news conference, putting a positive light on the women’s game itself.
“This is the largest single sporting event for women in the world,” said Montagliani. “We’re very proud and very humbled to be putting on the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.”
“It’s the first time in our country we are hosting a major international competition from one coast to the other,” added CSA general secretary Peter Montopoli.
He said Saturday’s opening match between Canada and China in Edmonton is trending to be the largest attended senior A soccer match in Canadian history, with more than 52,000 fans slated to attend.
“We’re also looking at this as the largest attended national team match of any sport in our country,” said Montopoli. “So obviously, the opening day, the opening match, is a big day for Canadian soccer, but also Canadian sport.”
He said tickets for the July 5 championship match in Vancouver sold out within 72 hours of tickets going on sale. Meanwhile, all U.S. matches are expected to be a sellout, and 95 per cent of tickets have been sold within North America. Montagliani said ticket sales will surpass 1 million any day now.
However, FIFA officials could not say how much money has been allocated for wining, dining and accommodating FIFA executives, or whether the value of their perks will be higher than proceeds that go to players.
But Tatjana Haenni, head of women’s soccer for FIFA, said a total of $15 million in prize money will be up for grabs. A former player, she hopes this World Cup will lead to more women receiving key decision-making roles.
Montagliani would also like to see the tournament further the push to put a couple of National Women’s Soccer League teams in Canada. The NWSL serves as a development circuit for the Canada, U.S. and Mexican national teams.
Alas, no matter how the FIFA scandal turns out, there is more work to be done before the women’s game will rise to new levels. But, perhaps, for at least a little while, Canada’s 2015 Women’s World Cup can shine some light through those dark clouds.