CBC-Sports

Getting closer to our first test - Jamaica

July 2, 2009 03:00 PM | Posted by   Greg Sutton  

Canadian national team goalkeeper Greg Sutton will be blogging for CBCSports.ca during the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which runs July 3-26 in the United States.

We’re a couple days away from our first game of significance this year.

Jamaica will be an intense, exciting game, which should make for a great start to the 2009 Gold Cup. We've had a good build up to this tournament and are going into this event with great optimism.

When I left off last time, we were into our training in Oxnard, Calif., and gearing up for a friendly game against Guatemala. Well, it was anything but friendly.

We had a great start to the game by getting on the scoresheet early and then the fireworks began after a tackle on Julian de Guzman, a talented player who roams our midfield. Julian wasn't too happy with a tackle that was directed to him and got up and let the Guatemalan player know about it. Obviously that didn’t go over too well, and after a pushing and shoving match, the referee felt it would be best if the two players took some time off and take a seat for the rest of the match.

Cooling down period

It was probably the best thing for us since Julian's a big part of our puzzle and a great leader in the midfield, so we didn't need him getting hurt or in trouble prior to our first game. Josh Wagenaar, the other goalie in camp, and I split the game and kept Guatemala off the scoresheet with help from our defence. The rest of the guys were able to add two more goals in the second half to put an exclamation point on the game, finishing with a well-deserved, 3-0 victory. It was a good game to get under our belt in preparation, but we all know it will be much more difficult come Friday, but we’re excited and ready to begin.

Yesterday, the guys had a little time to themselves after the game and made the most of it - splashing around in the ocean, riding the waves … and swallowing some salt water. The waves are quite large crashing in from the west and could easily knock over an average-sized person. The other thing you have to watch out for is the seagulls. These things are huge!! They look as if they could fly down and swoop up a child. Seriously, they are double the size of our seagulls flying around Lake Ontario. Anyway, it was good to get in the cold water - it actually helps with regeneration of your legs.

After a little dip in the sea, some of the lads gathered and continued their poker after dark event, which has been going on for days (obviously just for fun) and then finished the evening with some good food. All in all a good day and our last one before we were to head down to Torrance for our first-round game.

Change of scenery, tourney begins

This morning we had our final training session in Oxnard and packed up our stuff. We got on the bus and travelled a couple hours down the Pacific Coast Highway, a beautiful drive winding along the West Coast, which passes by beach after beach before finally going inland to Torrance. So that’s where we are now, staying at the Doubletree here in Torrance, a few miles from the Home Depot Center where we’re playing Friday.

I hope everyone enjoyed Canada Day and were able to spend some time with friends and family. Until next time – hopefully by then we'll have our first win of the Gold Cup to talk about – take care.

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