Octo Matchday 2: Anticipation high for another unpredictable round of matches

After a cagey start to the Octagonal, the final round of CONCACAF’s World Cup qualifiers, all 8 teams are looking for revenge in matchday 2. Here’s what to expect on Sunday. The final whistle at BMO Field on Thursday brought supporters of Canada the bitter taste of missed opportunity and points dropped. In what was the first match of this seven-month, 56-game round of competition, … Continue reading Octo Matchday 2: Anticipation high for another unpredictable round of matches

“We have to be stronger”: The CanMNT and USMNT looking to put day 1 Octo disappointments behind them ahead of pivotal Sunday clash

Canada Soccer’s and US Soccer’s National Teams get set to face off in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying action on Sunday. Ahead of then, though, they’ll have to erase their memories from the opening day of the ‘Octagonal’, where they were left wanting more in a pair of draws, which only upped the stakes in this clash between two longtime rivals.   Heading in with such high … Continue reading “We have to be stronger”: The CanMNT and USMNT looking to put day 1 Octo disappointments behind them ahead of pivotal Sunday clash

“It was a holy s— moment”: The CanMNT learns harsh lesson in 1-1 draw vs Honduras to open final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers

Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team opened the final round of CONCACAF’s final round of World Cup qualifying, the ‘Octagonal’, with a 1-1 draw versus Honduras on Thursday. Here’s what stood out to us from that one.  Heading into this game, optimism was high, and for good reason.  With arguably the strongest team in their history in tow, Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team headed into their … Continue reading “It was a holy s— moment”: The CanMNT learns harsh lesson in 1-1 draw vs Honduras to open final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers

Into the Octagon: An in-depth preview of the ‘Octagonal’, the final round of CONCACAF’s World Cup qualifiers

On Thursday, the final round of CONCACAF’s World Cup qualifiers, the ‘Octagonal’, kicks off. Here’s our in-depth preview of that ahead of then. Let’s get ready to rumble.  After a summer of waiting, the ‘Octagonal’, the final round of CONCACAF’s World Cup qualifiers, is set to officially kick off later this week.  On Thursday, September 2nd, 8 of CONCACAF’s finest will take the field to … Continue reading Into the Octagon: An in-depth preview of the ‘Octagonal’, the final round of CONCACAF’s World Cup qualifiers

It’s a great moment to play for Canada’: The CanMNT is ready to ride positive wave of momentum into start of the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers

Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team is getting set to kick off the start of the final round of World Cup qualifiers, the ‘Octagonal’, later this week. Here’s a look at the mood in the squad ahead of that one.  It’s a great time to be a Canadian soccer fan right now.  Fresh off of a summer where Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team won a historic … Continue reading It’s a great moment to play for Canada’: The CanMNT is ready to ride positive wave of momentum into start of the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers

Shifting Shapes: Analyzing the CanMNT’s diverse tactical profile ahead of the start of the Octo

Ahead of the start of the final round of World Cup qualifiers, the ‘Octagonal’, we dive into Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team’s diverse tactical profile, analyzing their use of the 3-5-2 and 4-4-2 formations, before looking at some potential lineups to use within those formations.  The value is there, but it needs to be properly extracted.  Heading into the start of the final round of … Continue reading Shifting Shapes: Analyzing the CanMNT’s diverse tactical profile ahead of the start of the Octo

Ranking Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team’s first ‘Octagonal’ squad in World Cup Qualifiers by ‘Surprise Rating’

With the return of Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team for the start of the Octo in CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, we break down their latest squad, which was announced last week, by giving them a ‘Surprise Rating’.  Fresh off of a busy summer, it’s almost go time.  After a memorable month of June and July for Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team, they can’t wait to … Continue reading Ranking Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team’s first ‘Octagonal’ squad in World Cup Qualifiers by ‘Surprise Rating’

‘I hope they’re watching us’: After Gold Cup breakthrough, Maxime Crepeau and CanMNT are ready to turn heads in the Octagonal

Right before he had a career-defining moment, Maxime Crepeau was as calm as he could be.  Facing off against the giants of CONCACAF, Mexico, in the semi-finals of the 2021 Gold Cup, Crepeau’s Canada’s Men’s National Soccer Team was always going to be in tough in that game, especially against a team that has tortured this region for so long. Having won the Gold Cup … Continue reading ‘I hope they’re watching us’: After Gold Cup breakthrough, Maxime Crepeau and CanMNT are ready to turn heads in the Octagonal

Gold Hunting: BTSVancity’s 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup preview

The 2021 Gold Cup kicks off this weekend. Here is our preview of the tournament, the 16th edition of North America’s biggest men’s international soccer competition.  As is tradition every 2 years, some of CONCACAF’s finest are ready to do battle for North American supremacy once again.  After there were fears that the tournament might not happen at all, the 2021 Gold Cup is set … Continue reading Gold Hunting: BTSVancity’s 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup preview

New Look: Analyzing the CanMNT’s 3-5-2 (and why they should keep it) ahead of the 2021 Gold Cup

In this, we break down Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team’s 3-5-2 formation that they debuted back in June, seeing why they should probably keep working on this particular tactical set-up ahead of the 2021 Gold Cup this July (and for the Octagonal, as well). After a bit of experimentation, they’ve appeared to find the magic formula.  For Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team’s head coach, John … Continue reading New Look: Analyzing the CanMNT’s 3-5-2 (and why they should keep it) ahead of the 2021 Gold Cup