“We need to extend the excellent support we have shown for the Canadian National Teams, and the Canadian MLS teams, to the other high levels of Canadian soccer.” The Way Things Were Back in 2019, following our Canadian Men’s National Team’s knockout round exit from the Gold Cup at the hands of Haiti, I wrote [...]
There is a deep irony in Canadian soccer criticism, where the real problem is with the critics themselves. Earlier this year, our Canadian Men’s and Women’s National Soccer Teams suffered disappointing defeats in major international tournaments. The Men’s team exited the CONCACAF Gold Cup at the Quarter Final stage after losing 3-2 to Haiti, and [...]
Imagine this scenario: you coach two players who compete for a starting spot at right fullback. In the past four pre-season matches, both players have had equal playing time, and each has started two out of the four matches. One of the players – let’s call him player “A” – has played well overall in [...]
In what I hope will be my final PhD coursework assignment, I was recently required to collect a set of data, and then analyse it using MATLAB, a multi-paradigm numerical computing software used by computer programmers, and biomechanics students like me. Naturally, I decided to collect some data on soccer. My rationale for choosing the [...]
On Sunday, July 15th, in front of a packed crowd at Moscow’s Luzhinski Stadium, the French National Soccer Team won their second FIFW World Cup, beating Croatia – who were making their first-ever appearance at an international final of any kind – by a final score of 4-2. It was an entertaining match which included [...]
Exactly one month ago, on Saturday, December 9th, in front of a packed crowd at BMO Field, Toronto FC defeated the Seattle Sounders 2-0 to win the 2017 MLS Cup. Their win was decisive; they dominated the possession, defended well, controlled the rhythm of the game, created more scoring opportunities and capitalised on enough of [...]
On Saturday, December 9th, in front of a packed crowd at BMO Field, Toronto FC defeated the Seattle Sounders 2-0 to win the 2017 MLS Cup. Their win was decisive; they dominated the possession, defended well, controlled the rhythm of the game, created more scoring opportunities and capitalized on enough of them to ensure victory. [...]
Hi Everyone, In this edition of the Soccer Fitness Gols Video Blog, I discuss the recent success of Major League Soccer as a league (which is currently ranked 6th in the world in total attendance), and Toronto FC (which has been MLS's best club over the past 2 years). I've identified three key changes that [...]
Hi Everyone, In this edition of the Soccer Fitness Gols Video Blog, I discuss the recent UEFA Champions League group match between Liverpool and Spartak Moscow. In this match, Liverpool was able to dominate by pressing high up the pitch and counter-attacking at high speed once they regained possession (the style of play nicknamed "Gegenpressing" [...]