November 7, 2002

Mexico match was perfect preparation for Canada's game against the USA

Every coach knows that playing easy matches is not a good method of preparing for a tough final game. It is never easy for athletes to suddenly meet the need to raise the level of their game, and it is even more difficult for an Olympic level athlete like those we shall see in action on Saturday. Mexico is on the verge of breaking into the present top three ranking women's national teams in the Americas; Brazil, Canada and the USA. Like Canada in the last two years, they have players who have had the opportunity to hone and improve their skills in the NCAA and /or WUSA, and it shows.

As with the men's game, FIFA World Cup qualifying competitions will always have one sided games especially at the Conference level. On the positive side it is a way of raising the level of the players, creating more exposure for the sport, and best of all it is often the only way of encouraging the development of players by showing them an example of how good they could become at soccer if they stay involved and persist in their love of the game. Mexico, Canada and the USA have shown the teams they beat in the 2002 Gold Cup a level of soccer that they too can achieve with hard work, good coaching and the proper financial support and encouragement from their own Federations.

It is amazing to see the improvement in the level of play achieved by the participating teams in this 2002 CONCACAF World Cup qualifying competition, compared to the CONCACAF qualifying tournament we watched in Toronto, Canada in 1998.

PAST COMMENTARIES

[1999]

[1996-1998]

---

---

BACK TO THE WSW FRONTPAGE	BACK TO TOP