Opinion
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Nigel ReedGerrard must lead England at Euro 2012
They couldn't wait to swing the axe. The canvassing of board members was
swift and decisive. As a result England will need a new captain to lead
it into battle at Euro 2012. Capello will surely turn again to Steven Gerrard. The Liverpool veteran has been leading by example for years.
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Ben Rycroft
Canada to face U.S. in World Cup qualifier tuneup
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Signa Butler
Lessons learned ahead of London Olympics
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Soccer
Nigel Reed
Canada must face Olympic reality
More Opinion
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Signa Butler
Canadian women's Olympic dream: What you need to know
The quest for one of two Olympic berths begins Thursday night in Vancouver for the Canadian women's soccer team. Here's a look at Canada's route, the players to watch and what might stand in their way.
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Nigel Reed
Canada's women's soccer team has plenty to prove
It has taken a while but finally he gets to play at home. After nearly six months in charge, John Herdman is ready to showcase his winners. They had better keep winning.
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Nigel Reed
Rongen's the right choice for TFC
He might just be the single most important signing ever by Toronto FC.
If he could turn the world's worst team into winners, imagine what
Thomas Rongen could do with some of Canada's top young prospects. The
55-year-old Dutchman is the man handpicked by TFC head coach Aron Winter
to run the club's new Academy.
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Nigel Reed
Canada's MLS squads should temper expectations
Unless an MLS franchise makes the right choice for its head coach, the team
is consigned to meander through the regular season without ever making a
serious run at the playoffs. And that is where Canada's three MLS squads should be concerned.
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Nigel Reed
2011: A Canadian soccer snapshot
It has been a memorable year for Canadian soccer. A new Canadian franchise in Major League Soccer, the Women's World Cup
and a Canadian team reaching the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF
Champions League. Here are a few of soccer analyst Nigel Reed's favourite Canadian moments on the pitch from 2011.
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Nigel Reed
Barcelona's world crown proves costly
Tell us something new. We already knew Barcelona was the best club side
in the world. They didn't have to go traipsing off to Japan to prove it.
The locals loved it but few others shared their passion or interest for
a competition lacking in credibility or heritage.
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Nigel Reed
Who is the next great Canadian?
Who is the next great Canadian? It is a fait accompli. There was no need for a vote. One player stood head and shoulders above the rest and is well on his way to become the greatest this country has ever seen. When Dwayne De Rosario is named 2011 Canadian Player of the Year later this week, he will have scooped the annual award four times in the space of seven seasons. His performances for club(s) and country were, by and large, professional, proficient and impactful.
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Nigel Reed
Canada and the de Guzman dilemma
Canada needs Jonathan de Guzman. He, apparently, now needs Canada. He would be a valuable addition to the national team, perhaps even a game changer.
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Nigel Reed
Drawing the line with video technology
It is on the way. It is no longer a question of if but when. That merely
leads to another question, as yet unanswered, and potentially
unanswerable: where do you draw the line with video technology?
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Jason de Vos
Change nearly here for CSA
Over the last few years, members of the Canadian soccer community have become increasingly disillusioned with the state of the game in Canada. They have voiced their concerns, through this forum and many others, that our game has been hijacked.
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Nigel Reed
Beckham's legacy: Raising the bar
He came. He saw. He finally conquered.
It took five years and cost upwards of 30 million dollars. Along the way
he upset team-mates and fans, frustrated coaches and battled career
threatening injuries. But ultimately David Beckham emerged a winner and
Major League Soccer can count its blessings.
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Nigel Reed
Canada can be cautiously optimistic
And so the curtain falls on Act 1 of Canada's 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign. There will now be a seven-month intermission before Act 2 commences. Whether or not Act 3 ever materializes remains to be seen.
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Nigel Reed
Beckham can put the 'Major' in MLS Cup
The stage is set. The pioneer is on the brink of achieving another
milestone. It could be his last in a colourful career which has spanned
nearly 20 years. If so it would be a fitting finale for the man and
provide a huge boost for the sport in a land where soccer has never been
king.
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Jason de Vos
Is winning really developing players?
The world of soccer is continuously changing; news now regularly breaks on Twitter, and rarely does a day pass where a link to an interesting article fails to land in your inbox.
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Signa Butler
Golden Pan Am Games team a glimpse at future
After a few of months of heartbreak, handwringing and uncertainty, the Canadian women's soccer team has something to cheer about. Canada claimed its first ever Pan American Games gold medal in thrilling fashion Thursday in Guadalajara, Mexico, in a match that took 120 minutes and was decided by penalty kicks.
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Nigel Reed
Opportunity knocks for Canada
It was always a means to an end. The finish line is now in sight and
Canada must sprint across it. This is not a time to jog the last few
metres. This is a time to complete the course with a swagger and
something to spare.
It is not about ifs, but when and how. Gaining the requisite point
against St. Kitts & Nevis to advance to the third stage of World Cup
qualifying will be achieved. It is about earning respect from future
opponents, much of which was lost at the abortive Gold Cup campaign back
in the summer.
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Nigel Reed
Toronto FC - A fan's tale
He has been a season ticket holder since Day 1. He has already renewed for 2012. He has pricey seats halfway in the West stand at BMO Field. He is going to give it one more year.
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Nigel Reed
Canada can be proud of Toronto FC
He didn't need much persuading. When it was over Ashtone Morgan sat in the visitors' dressing room, draped in a Maple Leaf flag he collected from a fan while leaving the field. The night belonged to Toronto FC. The victory belongs to Canada.
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