SoccerCanada a soft touch in CONCACAF

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Canadian coach Stephen Hart has some work to do ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. (Canadian Press)

I didn't want to speak to him and I told him so. Canada head coach Stephen Hart was the last person I wanted to interview on my weekly radio show the day after Canada's final Gold Cup group game.
 
It could only mean one thing. Canada was out and the players had scattered in all directions. To his enormous credit, and our collective disappointment, Hart agreed to chat. The exasperation in his voice, as he searched for crumbs of comfort, was all too evident.
 
It is an explanation with which Hart is becoming worryingly familiar. A lack of a killer punch up front, combined with individual errors at the back had cost Canada a chance to advance. Despite decent spells of possession, Hart's men had let themselves down.
 
No qualms about questionable refereeing decision this time at the Gold Cup. If anything, Canada got the bounce of the ball in its favour for both penalties. Just as well the match officials pointed to the spot since, ultimately, it proved the only route to goal.
 
For Hart it must be a major concern. Despite the presence of Simeon Jackson, Dwayne de Rosario, Ali Gerba and others, a failure to score from open play in three games is an alarming trend. With World Cup qualifying on the horizon, there's not much time to find a solution.
 
Canada struggling to score is nothing new. Only once in six internationals in 2011 have the Canadians managed to find the net more than once in a game. A late scrambled equalizer against Ecuador may have entertained the patrons but in competitive matches it's a different story.
 
At the other end Hart also has a dilemma. He used two goalkeepers at the Gold Cup, and both of them were found wanting. Neither Lars Hirschfeld nor Milan Borjan distinguished themselves and Craig Forrest isn't coming out of retirement anytime soon.
 
But then again, what did we really expect? Canada, ranked 76th in the world, is well behind where it was when the World Cup qualifying process began three years ago. Dismiss the FIFA calculations if you will, but remember the seedings for the 2010 World Cup were based on world rankings alone.
 
In fact we probably got what we secretly feared. It was another campaign which only served to fuel the critics' fire. This is a Canada they will not watch or support because it is a Canada which does not put its best foot forward. Until it does they will turn their backs.
 
Worse still is the reputation of Canada among its continental rivals. The rocky road to Brazil will kick off in the fall and Canada has done nothing to enhance its standing. We might not want to hear it, but Canada is seen as a soft touch in CONCACAF.
 
While countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador, Jamaica and Costa Rica made progress at the Gold Cup, Canada limped home with its tail between its legs. Very soon these same nations will be scrapping tooth and nail for vital qualifying points. They will all be happy to go head to head with Canada.
 
This has nothing to do with individual skill. Canada has talent. What it lacks is that essential mental edge over many of its opponents. Gaining a reputation of being hard to beat only comes over time as a result of strong performances. That is something Hart cannot fix before qualifying begins.
 
I truly believe Stephen Hart is an honourable man doing his best with the players at his disposal. I also believe the players respect him and play for him. But a coach should always be judged on his results, and at the 2011 Gold Cup they were unacceptable.
 
There are those who have suggested Carolina Morace should be put in charge. The Italian is about to lead the Canadian women's team into battle at the World Cup in Germany. She once coached a men's team in Italy. I am assuming the suggestions were made in jest.
 
Morace, though, has made her point. She stood up to her employers and forced concessions from the Canadian Soccer Association. She threatened to quit and the CSA responded. Would it do the same if Hart offered his resignation in the wake of Gold Cup underachievement?
 
The radio interview ended as it had begun. Hart had the good grace to face the music but his answers did little to lift the gloom. I thanked him for his time but even on the end of a telephone I sensed a frustration bordering on resignation.
 
If the CSA thinks a 'feel good' run at the Women's World Cup will mask the huge problems facing its men's team, it had better think again.

Follow Nigel Reed on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/#!/nigel_reed

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