Personal Reflections: Before Canada v. Honduras

This must win match (and make no mistake, it is a must win) has me a little stressed. That may be why, today, I am questioning the tried and true; or a least, the tried and somewhat factual.

I think – despite past successes in the formation – it is time for Canada to take a one match hiatus from the 4-5-1. Given the decent form (either for club or country) of three strikers, the lack of good options for the fifth midfield spot, and the need to play to win, Canada should employ a 4-4-2 versus the Hondurans.

With Daniel Imhof unavailable, Issey Nakajima-Farran out of form, Iain Hume reserved for late-match use, and Patrice Bernier worsening by the day (I know this is harsh, but my heart sank a little when his name was announced before the Jamaica match) it is time to see what Ali Gerba and Rob Friend can do as a tandem force.

Moving beyond the midfield, my second source of stress is at the back. Against Jamaica, my heart sank further when Richard Hastings was announced. As the match wore on this feeling did not lessen as the opponent had an uncomforting amount of success inside the 18. I know that CONCACAF opponents are not generally known for their quality in the air (and Jamaica was no different) but the Canadian central defenders were notably weak on balls played to heads. Again, I know Germany is not on the qualifying schedule, and this weakness might not affect Canadian’s chances, but it may affect the health of my heart tissue.

I understand, and appreciate, that coach Dale Mitchell likes how Hastings moves the ball – and this is a nice quality to have – but not at the expense of sound marking. Given Kevin McKenna’s club status, I would call for an 85% chance of Hastings around 8pm in Montreal, and a 70% chance of a Hastings - Adrian Serioux combination. I will understand the choice, but I sure won’t love it.

Source of stress number three is the keeper situation. This could easily be source of stress number one, but I am trying not to think about it. Ultimately, I don’t think Mitchell can be faulted for his selection no matter who he chooses. There are no perfect options here. Prayer is likely the one I’ll choose.

Source of stress number four was added to the mix just this morning. Through the Voyageurs board I was linked to a YouTube video of goals from past Honduras – Canada matches; I was stuck with terror by more than just the hairstyles. Honduras has been good for at least one penalty kick per match. I had to stop watching before seeing Amado Guevara do his thing. Not a good feeling.

So, now that you’ve read all of this, have a good day, and a great match. For what it’s worth, and on the upside, I genuinely feel that eight points will be good enough to advance in second from this group. Check out group 1 from 2006 qualifying for a comparable situation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(CONCACAF)


Ideal 4-4-2 Lineup

---------------Hirschfeld

--------Serioux------Klukowski

Stalteri----------------------Brennan

-------Hutchinson--de Guzman

Radzinski------------------De Rosario

---------Gerba------Friend


Less than Ideal 4-5-1 Lineup

---------------Hirschfeld

--------Serioux------Klukowski
Stalteri----------------------Brennan

-------Hutchinson--Bernier

--------------de Guzman
Radzinski------------------De Rosario

---------------Friend


Mitchell-being-Mitchell Lineup

------------------Onstad

--------Serioux------------Hastings
Stalteri---------------------------Klukowski

-------Hutchinson----de Guzman

------------- De Rosario
Bernier ---------------------Radzinski

---------------Friend