Canada 6 - Haiti 0 at the CONCACAF Olympic women's qualifying tournament in Vancouver

Melissa Tancredi's clever assist deserves another look

Friday, January 20, 2012

Canadian striker Melissa Tancredi gets tripped up by Haiti's Carmela Aristide during Canada's 6-0 win Thursday night at the CONCACAF Olympic women's qualifying tournament in Vancouver. "Tank" is known not only for her toughness, but also her deft touch on the ball. (Andy Clark/Reuters)

While most of the conversation around Canada's 6-0 victory over Haiti surrounded the four-goal performance of captain Christine Sinclair (and rightfully so!), it was Sinclair's third goal of the night that was getting a lot of buzz thanks to striking partner, Melissa Tancredi.

While most of the conversation around Canada's 6-0 victory over Haiti Surrounded the four-goal performance of captain Christine Sinclair (and rightfully so!), it was Sinclair's third goal of the night that was getting a lot of buzz thanks to striking partner, Melissa Tancredi.
If you missed it, Tancredi showed off her skill and vision on the field with one simple play. With her back to the goal at the top of the 18-yard box, Tancredi controlled the ball, flicked a lob over her head and onto the path of a running Sinclair. And with that, Sinclair picked up the 10th hat trick of her career.


It's that bit of skill which has made Tancredi, a 30-year-old native of Ancaster, Ont., a mainstay on the national program since 2004.
"Tank" has become a fan favourite for her toughness, creative touches and gregarious personality, but she's also drawn the ire of coaches for taking risks at the wrong time. (Blind back-heel passes in the middle third of the field, slow back passes to defenders, etc.).
Coach John Herdman said he wants his team to get over the 'fear of failure' that has plagued them in the past and take calculated risks, especially in the offensive third.
This time - and perhaps going forward at the tournament - Tancredi took the right risk at the perfect time.
Her assist from last night's game was one for the highlight reel, it may not top her dancing skills (seriously, this is some of best entertainment around), but you be the judge.


Sesselmann says she's 'OK'
Canadian defender Lauren Sesselmann suffered a scary looking knee injury in the waning minutes of the opening half after a collision with a Haitian player. The Wisconsin native, who has Canadian ties through her Newfoundland-born father, clutched her knee immediately and could be heard crying in pain.
She was treated by medical staff and came back on the bench after halftime with her left knee wrapped in ice.
No official word from the Canadian Soccer Association on her status, but the 28-year-old did tweet after the game: "Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers everyone! I'm ok and you'll see me back out there soon! We have the best fans ever!! #CanWNT"
Since joining the national team in September, Sesselmann has filled a much-needed void at leftback for the Canadians.
Haitian 'keeper in hospital  
Haiti goalkeeper Ednie Limage was hospitalized overnight with what her coach described as a possible spinal injury.
Limage was injured in the second half after coming off her line for a high ball and colliding hard with teammate Samantha Marie-Ann Brand. She fell to the ground in pain, still holding the ball. She was carried off the field on a stretcher and later taken to hospital.
Haitian coach Ronald Luxieux said that Limage was "suffering quite a bit" and that he would have an update on her condition on Friday.
Limage was Haiti's best player in Thursday's game, showing a real aptitude in the air and solid hands. By the way, the 26-year-old plays for the University of Moncton Blue Eagles.
Another year older ... 
Birthday greetings to Canadian striker Chelsea Buckland. The native of Surrey, B.C., who made her fifth appearance for Canada, turned 21 on Friday.

Canada's women's soccer team has plenty to prove

 January 16, 2012 | 09:42 AM

Canadian women’s soccer coach John Herdman recognizes that he has inherited intelligent players, but also knows his squad can’t take an Olympic qualifying spot for granted. (Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

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.

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.
For Canada's women's national soccer team it should be a formality. Their mission to qualify for the London Olympics is well within reach. Yes, it is an eight-team tournament from which only two nations advance, but in reality it is a two, maybe three horse race.
Wait a moment. Here we go again - getting ahead of ourselves just like we did before Germany. I shall not make that mistake again. Once bitten, twice shy they say and so for the time being, seeing is believing for this particular observer.
From a discreet distance Herdman watched Canada self destruct in Germany. He was there too, staying in the same hotel, doing his best to make New Zealand competitive. All things considered he did a decent job bearing in mind the Football Ferns had never previously registered a victory at the Women's World Cup.
He has his own agenda but acknowledges the work of his predecessor. Despite Canada's capitulation, Herdman has a healthy respect for former coach Carolina Morace, who left the post despite having agreed an extension through to the Olympics. Her approach, according to Herdman, was "very much in tune with the modern game."
In other words the new coach has not had to start from scratch. Herdman recognized he had inherited intelligent players with "good football brains." They proved him right at October's Pan Am Games in Mexico, clinching the Gold medal after keeping their nerve to beat Brazil on penalties.
Shaking off World Cup blues
You can't argue with the colour of the medal. Canada appeared to have shaken off the post World Cup blues in double quick time to give Herdman a flying start in his new position. Look a little closer. Canada won a competition which did not feature the U.S., plus a young Brazil side which bore little resemblance to the star studded team selected for the World Cup.
Needless to say the Americans will be in Vancouver in full force for the Olympic qualifiers. They are the reigning Olympic champions and will travel north fully expecting to win the tournament. Few would bet against that scenario or against them medalling in London next summer.
So where does that leave the hosts? Herdman's Canada will have to scrap it out with the others for that second Olympic berth. Getting to the final in Vancouver will suffice - a task which will be appreciably easier if the Canadians match the Americans in round-robin play.
For example, if the U.S. wins Group B, Canada must do likewise in Group A. Avoiding the Americans until the championship match is paramount. Herdman has the players to beat any other team at the tournament, but probably not the U.S. Even with home advantage and a big, partisan crowd at BC Place, Canada cannot afford to see the Olympic dream disappear in the semifinals.
Sinclair is 'world class'
One of those players, says Herdman, is "world class". Christine Sinclair will relish a rare chance to play in her home town and will inevitably be the focal point of the team and its attacking threat. But her new boss is keen to lighten the burden of expectation on his star striker.
He's brought in a psychiatrist to help the preparation process. While Canada is certainly physically strong enough to take care of itself, Herdman knows the mental scars can take their toll. His overall strategy is for his players to "share the responsibility for performances."
While Sinclair remains a major plus, the absence of Diana Matheson is a big loss. The diminutive midfielder has lost her battle to recover from knee surgery, forcing Herdman to make a late roster change. Midfielder Alyscha Mottershead, 20, from Brampton, Ont., has been drafted in at the 11th hour, but will almost certainly start on the bench.
Mottershead is no stranger to international soccer. She played for Canada at the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2008, and made her senior debut last November during Canada's friendly win over Sweden. The opportunity for her to be part of the full international squad at a competitive tournament can only help her mature as a player.
So the stage is set. Canada isn't looking for redemption. What happened in Germany cannot be undone. What happened in Mexico cannot be a barometre. The past must be left exactly where it is and Canada must move on determined to gain new respect from fans and opponents alike.
John Herdman has his "dream job." His task is simple, but not necessarily straightforward. Turn the dream into reality.