Serving the Beautiful Game
Red Card The Soccer Skort: for Bottled All with the water! Female Player in By Meera Karunananthan & Mind Blair Redlin By Kelly MacDonald & Dominique Falls A Night in Liverpool By Shivan Skipper freekickmag.com | June 09 | June freekickmag.com
Mattias Öhlund Contents
4 Contributors
5 Editor's Note
6 The Soccer Skort: All with the female player in mind By Kelly MacDonald & Dominique Falls
8 You'll Never Walk Alone: A Night in Liverpool By Shivan Skipper
10 Red Card for Bottled Water! By Meera Karunananthan & Blair Redlin
12 Mattias Öhlund By Carrie Serwetnyk
16 Carolina Morace
19 Red Card Yellow Card
Recipe: Palak Paneer By a chef in India
20 Cosmo Striker By Piper Bradley
21 Kidz Section
22 SoccerScopes
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2 free kick April 2009 April 2009 free kick 3 Free Kick Team Fernando Fei, Design & Production Lindsay Marsh, Editorial Assistant Raised in Argentina, Fernando always jokes Equipped with a BA in English Lit and a that football runs through his veins. His passion, Sustainable Community Development Post-Bacc knowledge, and design talent gives Free Kick its Diploma, Lindsay spent 3 years teaching and Serving the Beautiful Game face. volunteering in Japan and SW. Asia. Her passion Editor’s Note for sports led her to many muddy games of Carrie Serwetnyk, Editor: Carrie Serwetnyk soccer with boys and girls at a children’s home in First Woman Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame Thailand. www.go-mad.org [email protected]
Neil Humphrey, Webmaster Brittney Kwasney, Photography Design & Production: Fernando Fei elcome. In the soccer world beyond our borders most Neil is a passionate local coach and suit in the football Brittney is a lifelong soccer lover and the owner [email protected] seasons are coming to an end. Most notable was the clash community. His multi-talented skills in competitive of Vancouver's Bright Photography. Raised in between Barcelona and Manchester United Champions sailing and the beautiful game gave him a compass to hilly Kimberely, BC, Brit not only developed Photography: Goga Bayat W League Final where football purists enjoyed two teams who have travel extensively around the world. Here at home, he great soccer and hockey legs but a keen eye [email protected] consults in marketing, PR, Internet sectors and all the for capturing beautiful and interesting images. mastered the ideology of the “beautiful game.” As club shoes start to hang up for the year, all eyes will be on qualifying for the 2010 latest soccer junkie info. Beware Voyageurs! Brit is 100% gluten-free. www.brightphoto.ca Feroze Hamid [email protected] World Cup in South Africa.
Mailing Address: Suite 128 In our issue, we chose to focus on the hottest topic in our backyard Contributors 1917 West 4th, Avenue – the Vancouver Canucks, who were Canada’s closest hope for the Vancouver, BC, V6J 1M7 Stanley Cup. With Mattias Öhlund, the longest standing Canuck Piper Bradley venturing into free agency, we thought his background in Swedish Advertising Inquiries: 604.551.7006 football and his love for the game would be of interest to the multi- Anna is a 17 year old Vancouver artist who is [email protected] crazy for cartooning…and just a bit crazy in sport nature of our Canadian psyche. Given the popularity of soccer general. She migrates around the city in her at Toronto FC, where Maple Leaf fans have a place to go when their Editorial Inquiries: 604.551.7006 cardboard starving artist box doing art for food hockey guys hit rock bottom, the Vancouver Whitecaps will offer a and stealing your single socks from laundry [email protected] machines. crash pad in the 2011 MLS for the city’s beloved Canucks. Printing: Mitchell Press Meera Karunananthan & Blair Redlin In creating this issue, we took on a few topics that may be divisive Meera is a national water campaigner for the or inspire a sense of activism to our readers. Recently, I attended Council of Canadians. Blair is a researcher Free Kick is a free publication. It is published a film that changed my knowledge and attitude towards bottled with the Canadian Union of Public Employees. bimonthly and distributed to retail soccer stores, water. We are so fortunate to have fresh flowing water from our taps Together, they combined words to educate and stadiums, sporting retailers, communiy centers, in all of our homes. Why we would even consider paying for it is encourage athletes to drink from the taps rather and many pick up locations throughout the beyond ridiculous. In a film called Blue Gold, I became privy to than purchasing bottled water. greater Vancouver area. For more information the affects bottled water has on our ecosystem, third world nations please contact [email protected] or visit our website at www.freekickmag.com. and the corruption the industry has created. As a member of the Shivan Skipper soccer community, I felt it was necessary to pass on the need for Shivan is a Vancouver-based international change through the article Red Card for Bottled Water, written by photographer, writer, designer and a life long soccer fan. Publisher’s Note: environmental and political activists.
Why “Serving the Beautiful Game?” Also in the spirit of expression, I can share the voice of my As a magazine we have the ability to give a much needed colleagues in how appalled we were in hearing that PUMA, the 10 acknowledgement to individuals who contribute their million dollar sponsor of the USA Women’s Professional League, Kelly MacDonald & Dominique Falls energy to soccer. Our mission is to serve the players, designed a skirt as an optional choice uniform for the players’ kit and fans, parents and coaches who want information and Kelly and Dominique, both passionate about the then paraded players as fashion models prior to the kickoff of the game of soccer, are M.A. Candidates working support for their passion. in the Sociology of Sport at UBC. They have league. I was asked by men, who like the idea of watching sexy girls teamed up to voice their concerns over the Brazilian star Pele’s most renowned quote was when in skirts kick around a ball, why it is so offensive. My only answer proposed introduction of skirts in soccer. he called “football” the “beautiful game.” The quote to them is suggesting that they wear Speedo’s or thongs instead speaks for itself to all those who have played soccer or admired it in the stands. It hits the mark between how of shorts to attract more sponsors, fans and revenue. Interestingly, it looks on the outside and how it feels on the inside most men are silenced with that image in their minds. Women have playing it. struggled for decades (and centuries) to achieve slivers of equality, to earn the right to participate in the Olympics, World Cups and Be in the Game! We feel the combination to “Serve the Beautiful Game” professional leagues and to prove themselves as athletes. If they Free Kick is distributed throughout Greater Vancouver area to a matches our ambitions as a magazine. readership of 42,000. Partnered with The Province, our magazine is want to wear a skirt off the field then let’s keep it off the field. now available online in the sports section. Approximately 300,000 viewers visit The Province daily. We are also at a number of the In this issue, we hope to still make you laugh, to enjoy the passion Vancouver Whitecaps home games, including Family Nights with our Copyright © 2007. No portion of this publication may Free Kick Wall in the Fun Zone. Come test your shot! of the game and to think a little more about your impact in the sports be reproduced in whole or in part, without the written contact: [email protected] permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. world. Best wishes. 604-551-7006 Free Kick Magazine is an environmentally friendly publication. Printed on recycled paper. Cover Photo by Brittney Kwasney 4 free kick April 2009 April 2009 free kick 5 By Kelly MacDonald & Dominique Falls Photos by WPS The Soccer Skort: Similar comments were seen on the WPS Fan Corner Web site and ranged from confusion to disgust. One blogger said, “I cannot believe this. Have we made no progress at All with the Female Player in Mind all? Do we have to sexualize and trivialize women’s soccer with uniforms like this? Is this the message we want to send ive years ago, FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, announced asked what he thought of the skorts, he diplomatically answered, to girls (and boys, for that matter?) Shame on you, Puma. that women’s soccer should promote a more aesthetic “Not for me!” Additionally, former Canadian women’s National Shame on you, WPS”. Similar messages sparked a response look and suggested that the players compete in more Team head coach Even Pellurud stated that, “it’s the right thing from the website managers who indicated that they had taken feminine clothes like they do in volleyball. The to have a discussion about it.” He compared the WPS’ uniform “cues from the trends in female sports gear today” and had Fcomment was met with resistance from professional female decisions to those of other sports: “Well, I am surprised because designed them “with the female player in mind.” Fans were players who denounced the suggestion and cried sexism and we have seen that development in other sports, like beach also ‘gently’ reminded that “Puma, the world’s leading sport prejudice. However, three years later, an amateur Dutch Women’s volleyball and handball. I guess to promote the girls’ sport... I lifestyle brand, always does something a little different and soccer team ditched their shorts for skirts. The women said the find it surprising for sure fun as part of its collections.” new uniform was an attempt to bring femininity to the game in and wonder if it’s a step hopes of drawing bigger audiences Different and fun? Or a throw- to the sport. The team captain was football & fashion back to the 1940s? The WPS’ quoted as saying “female football poorly thought-out responses is not so popular at the moment. In failed to address bloggers’ the Netherlands, there is an image in the right direction. There are concerns about the feminizing capabilities of the uniform and that it’s more for men, but we hope more valuable things to the ladies inequitable treatment of the female soccer players. that can change,” she said, adding themselves. You would hope that that she thought the use of skirts people would be out supporting What is troubling – or perhaps symptomatic of the degree would encourage more girls to players for their play and style to which professional athletes’ opinions are controlled join (Hornby, 2008). Canadian and and touch on the ball.” Although by their corporate sponsors – is how the few players who American fans were quick to label Pellurud felt that Nike’s uniforms, were interviewed about the skorts gave rather innocuous this behaviour as another example which are cut for the female body, responses. St. Louis defender Lori Chalupny felt the skorts of how women’s soccer in Europe is are a positive step forward and are were “interesting.” “Puma always throws something into the backwards. “That stuff would never “appreciated by the girls”, a skirt outfit that makes you think.” Gold Pride midfielder Christina happen here” we said in an almost was “going to the next level.” He DiMartino called the skort “fashion forward.” Ok – is this mocking tone. After all, we gloated, contended that “...it is now the DiMartino talking or Puma? Jersey Blue Sky “nowhere else is women’s soccer trend in society to focus on the sex forward and U.S. National Team member the cultural equivalent of – or even and attraction value of sports. This Natasha Kai was the only player quoted as superior to – the men’s game as it is, no doubt, a step accommodating opposing the introduction of the skort. What is in the United States and Canada” that view promoting women’s a coincidence that she wasn’t one of the (Markovits & Hellerman, 2003). sports through other means “models” at the unveiling. rather than just the play. That is Then in February 2009, the US for sure a discussion the sports’ The promotion of uber-femininity in Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) society should have. But it is not a sports is a trend that many of us hoped league unveiled the inaugural season discussion limited to sports. What had faded. We were proud it had never team uniforms. Reminiscent of the about female actors and singers? It been a part of women’s soccer in North movie ‘A League of their Own’, affects the whole society.” America. The addition of the skort is players like Christina DiMartino and not only a reminder that female soccer Heather O’Reilly strutted down the Current Ottawa Fury player Sari players are being treated differently than catwalk, hair down, in full make- Raber, a former well-capped men by league officials, but also that it up, sporting their new jerseys and member of the Canadian U-20 is assumed the only way to appeal to skirts – that’s right, skirts. The National Team and graduate fans is by focusing on the women’s uniforms, designed by Christian from the University of Nebraska, appearances. Women’s soccer Siriano (winner of Project Runway also shared her thoughts with us. deserves fan support not because 4), consist of a pair of shorts with Raber reflected on an image she of what the girls are wearing, but a removable flap in the front to carries with her of the travelling because their game is exciting, convert the bottoms into a skort. (I know what you’re thinking). art exhibition entitled, Game Face: What does a female athlete powerful and great entertainment. WPS fans were even invited to watch the evening’s events online look like? Thinking of the picture of a female track athlete Young girls need strong role models as they unfolded. We were brought backstage and introduced to preparing for a race with a caption that asks, “How good does to show them we are more than just the runway models, squeezed into their red cocktails dresses. a female athlete have to be before we just call her an athlete?” a nice pair of legs in a skirt: we are Nothing says “launching of a professional sport league” like high Raber responded: “That statement is so powerful for me. I think strong, athletic, determined soccer heels and cocktail dresses, n’est-ce pas? these skorts send the wrong image for athletes because they just players. When Pele called it the reinforce society’s already over-sexed representation of females.” “beautiful game”, he wasn’t referring to When Anson Dorrance, former US National team head coach, was the players’ appearance. This is a game of guts and glory, not a beauty contest.
6 free kick April 2009 April 2009 free kick 7 Story by Shivan Skipper Photo by Torl Porl
ver since I was a young lad, I’ve the loo before halftime was out of the question near deafening at times, between songs and always rooted for Liverpool. Back as these guys weren’t going to budge for f-bombs as the fans yelled and cheered for in the early 80’s, Ian Rush was the anything. My seat, although cramped, gave their Reds. most exciting player on the squad a commanding view of the pitch, 30 rows up Eand maybe in the entire league. On the rare and around 40 seats to the right of centre field. The game was evenly played with both teams occasion where English Football was available It was bloody cold that night. The temperature getting a couple great scoring opportunities on local television, I always made sure to tune hovered around 5 degrees Celsius at the most early on. The Liverpool netminder, was in and watch. I imagined how exciting it must and I found myself wishing I had worn a third especially hot this night, especially in the be to actually cheer them on in the stands and layer to keep me warm. My toes were soon second half where he turned away four quick watch such great games, with all the noise, numb and my nose wouldn’t stop running. shots by West Ham, the last being directed passion and history of not just Liverpool, but over the net near the 75 minute mark, probably European football of any kind. I settled in for the match taking in the West ham’s best chance of the game. expansive stadium and the capacity crowd. On a recent trip to India, I was invited to visit After all these years, I was actually sitting at a A nice perk of being in the press section was friends in Liverpool. On a hunch, I checked British football match! This was very cool. having a small 8-inch TV monitor mounted the LFC schedule and sure enough, there was on the desks in front of us, allowing instant a match with Westham United happening The visiting West Ham fans, took up two replays and isolation shots of the benches while I was in town. I scored a press pass and whole sections behind their goalie and were and players. There was no ‘jumbotron’ in soon enough I was inside the fabled Anfield soon circled by orange-coated security as they Liverpool. stadium. began chanting and singing in competition to the home crowd. It was no match actually, as Halftime provided an opportunity to thaw I was directed to the special room for the the Liverpool fans just sang louder and louder. out the toes and down a couple of cups of print media types. About 25 men, all packing tea. Although the game was well played with laptops, were milling about in the stuffy room, After some introductions and announcing the plenty of end-to-end action in both halves, the the smell of bangers and mash wafting from teams I was expecting to stand and sing God final score was nil-nil, a minor disappointment the corner with several urns of tea and coffee Save the Queen. No. Instead I was shocked at for me, since it would have been nice to see a close by. Nothing fancy here. The room was my forgetting about the song I had heard so home team victory. strangely quiet, barely a word spoken amongst many times before. The crowd in full voice the reporters present. I looked around to have broke into Liverpool’s venerable team anthem: At the final whistle after six minutes of extra a conversation with someone and quickly “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” filling the entire time, Anfield quickly emptied; the departing realized this was not a place to chat. English stadium and sending shivers up my spine. West Ham fans receiving a cordial escort football is a serious matter. I spent my time Meanwhile, in the press section there was no from their seats from the ubiquitous Anfield texting my friends back home. singing, and as the game progressed barely security. The place was empty within 15 any talking, just the sound of fingers banging minutes. I decided to pass on a plate of bangers as I on laptops whenever there was some action waited in silence. We were finally escorted worth reporting during the match. A part of On the walk back to my car, past the as a group to the press section seating. After me wanted to jump the wall beside me and overflowing pubs and jammed streets, I took giving my credentials to the usher, I was join the crowd as there was definitely a party note of the well behaved crowd. No yelling, directed to a narrow seat against a short wall atmosphere happening in the rest of Anfield. screaming or brawls between competing fans that separates the press section from the nor hooligans in sight anywhere. Attending the huddled masses. I squeezed into my place and The fans sitting immediately to my right had match in Liverpool was definitely memorable, five reporters quickly filled all their spots on obviously spent some time in one of the many though next time I will find a seat in the noisy my left. The chap beside me spilled his tea pubs before the match, the smell of beer filling beer drinking and join in the chorus to bolt out all over the desk and never even managed the air around me. all those legendary hits. a “sorry” as I mopped up the mess with my well-used Kleenex from my jacket. A trip to As the match started, the crowd became
8 free kick April 2009 April 2009 free kick 9 plastic water bottles per year end up as garbage in a Red Card landfill waste site.” In some communities the percentage of water bottles that end up in landfills can be as high as for Bottled Water! 80 per cent. 4. Bottled water is not safer. By Meera Karunananthan & Blair Redlin In order to persuade people to spend 200-3,000 times ottled water is a common sight on soccer fields bottled water, selling its ancient glacier waters all over what they spend on tap water, bottled water companies throughout the Lower Mainland. There’s no doubt the world mostly for the profit of huge international water advertise their products as a “safer and healthier a full-on game works up a big thirst. But given companies. alternative.” Nothing could be further from the truth. B Bottled water is regulated as a food product under the we’re blessed with some of the cleanest and healthiest public water in the world, why do players so often buy In Blue Covenant: The Global Water Crisis and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. As such, water packaged bottled water instead of sipping tasty tap water Coming Battle for the Right to Water, Council of bottling plants are inspected on average only once every from reusable containers? Canadians Chairperson Maude Barlow writes, “Most three years, according to the Polaris Institute, an Ottawa- provinces charge these companies next to nothing to based research organization. Tap water regulation, on the The answer isn’t clear, but what is clear is that bottled extract this water from springs and aquifers, and whole other hand, is far more stringent. Municipal tap water is water is not a benign choice. watersheds are now under threat from this practice.” But tested continuously – both during and after treatment. citizens are pushing back. Questions are being asked In Canada, we are not immune to the growing threats of in communities across Canada about the extensive and 5. Water is a human right. water scarcity. 25 percent of municipalities have faced damaging water-taking practices of bottling companies. shortages in recent years. Canada is a net exporter of Around the world, there is a growing citizens’ movement working to establish a global “right to water,” affirming that water is an essential and irreplaceable resource for people’s health and for our planet as a whole. The Canadian government has been blocking recognition of Here are 5 reasons why bottled the human right to water – an issue that affects billions of people who live without access to safe, clean water. water should get a : Canada first took this position in 2002 in a vote at the red card Human Rights Commission. In March, our country confirmed its stance at the new Human Rights Council by leading the efforts to gut a resolution on the right to 1. Bottled water leads to water shortages. 2. Bottled water contributes to climate change. water. Water is a human right and should be guaranteed to all people regardless of their ability to pay. The bottled According to the Earth Policy Institute, water shortages The bottled water industry requires massive amounts of water industry has worked hard to undermine our faith have been reported in the Great Lakes region near water fossil fuels to manufacture and transport their products. in public water even though Canada has one of the best bottling plants. In Guelph, Ontario, a citizen’s coalition According to the Bow River Keeper, a citizens’ group that public drinking water systems in the world. The Council called the Wellington Water Watchers (WWW), has protects the Bow River watershed in Alberta, one quarter of of Canadians has focused its efforts on fighting for a launched a campaign against Nestlé. The corporation’s the 89 billion litres of bottled water consumed every year National Water Policy that would improve the public water-taking of 3.6 million litres per day is causing a are bought outside of the country where they are produced. system, enshrine the human right to water in legislation, reversal of groundwater flow to Mill Creek. The transportation of the bottles produces large amounts and ensure clean drinking water standards for all of greenhouse gas emissions. The Bow River Keeper communities across the country. Manufacturing water bottles also requires huge amounts of estimates that “the manufacturing and transport of a one water. It takes three to five litres of water to produce every kilogram bottle of Fiji water consumes 26.88 kilograms of For all those reasons, everybody - including people who one-litre plastic bottle. The demand for bottled water is water (7.1 gallons), 0.849 kilograms of fossil fuel (one litre need cool rehydration after a solid game - need to think also contributing to the global water crisis. Water shortages or 0.26 gal), and emits 562 grams of greenhouse gases (1.2 twice before choosing bottled water. Healthy public caused by Coca Cola’s groundwater draining in Plachmada, pounds).” water from the North Shore mountains is a far better India have led thousands of people to demand the closure alternative. of the Coca Cola plant in their community. Medha Patkar, 3. Our landfills cannot support bottled water. a social activist leading the battle in Plachimada recently told the media, “The bottling of water has really exploited Canadian landfills cannot support the amount of garbage our ground reserves […] killed our aquifers, and […] generated by the bottled water industry. According to a encroached upon the people’s rights to natural resources recent Toronto Sun article, “as few as 50 percent of the and the right to plan with those resources.” water bottles Torontonians consume everyday are actually being recycled. That means as many as 65 million empty
10 free kick April 2009 April 2009 free kick 11 Mattias Öhlund By Carrie Serwetnyk I kept hearing from folks in Vancouver about how nice of a guy Mattias Öhlund is. I was not disappointed. Gracious with his time and humble in speech, the longest-standing Canuck and I met to talk about the world game that rivals his hockey passion. With his two boys immersed in youth soccer and his ancestral links to Europe, it is natural for him to be intimately connected to the beautiful game.
I assume you are a big football fan coming from Did you have a favourite player? indoors way more than we did so I love that they Sweden. What are your roots or inspiration as a are outside. football player? I am a big Man United fan, I watched them a ton before I came over here between the ages seventeen We talk about the World Cup in 1994 when Well, football has been so huge back in Europe… and twenty. I have been to Old Trafford to watch Sweden lost in the semi finals to Brazil. I played from age seven to fifteen and at fifteen I a game, walked around there for a while. My had to stop because hockey took too much time. I favourite? I loved Maradona. In Sweden, we had a Everything stopped that summer for a couple of was never a great great player but I loved playing guy named Thomas Brolin who played a number of weeks. I remember it like it was yesterday. Those and it’s a great sport. I played midfielder most of years in Italy. He stopped playing when he was 28, games they played were unbelievable. the time and then when I got older, around fourteen but he was the number one guy in Sweden. or fifteen, I got slower, so they put me back on You are the longest-lasting Canuck. Are you defense. Your kids play. planning to stay?
Did that happen in hockey too? Absolutely. It’s a great sport. I love the fact that it’s I have no idea what is going to happen. We will outdoors and they are outdoors and it’s easy - you see. I have been here for a long time and it’s a great No (he laughs). I am defense but I don’t know if put on a pair of shoes or go barefeet in the summer city. And maybe it’s time to go see something else that’s what happened, too. We all played, all my time. We play all the time. We go back to Europe strictly from a hockey standpoint. We will see what buddies played. and we have a nice big grass backyard at our happens in the next few weeks. We will figure it summer home. We have nets sets up. Me and my out. Did you dream of becoming a professional buddies play all the time. player? Would you keep your family here? If your kids had the same athletic ability you Absolutely. When I grew up, I dreamt as much have, which sport would you like them to No. In our business, I have been lucky to be in one about soccer as I did about hockey. I dreamt that choose? place for so many years, especially with young kids. one day I am a good or decent player. I watched all I probably have one move in me and then it’s done. the big leagues over the years when I was younger. I don’t know. They can do whatever they want. Even today, I follow it a lot. In Sweden we have a I know that obviously I love my sport but I love lot of great players. soccer, it’s so easy. Kids spend a lot more time
Photo by Brittney Kwasney
12 free kick April 2009 April 2009 free kick 13 Photo credit The Province & Nick Procaylo
Do you think you will play in the Olympics this year? Most guys are really careful in the off season with what they do. I sure hope so. I have played three times before and it’s a fantastic experience. Especially over here in Vancouver Are you not allowed to play? where I have so many friends, so many good years…it will be a special special thing. I would be surprised if they got Canuck players because of the injury factor -if you hurt yourself or blow your ACL. We I read about the your experience with the gold medal are not allowed to ski, for example, or do water sports. Guys where you were hurt for the final in Turin. The Sedin obviously do at times but you have to be careful. twins offered their medal if the Olympic committee didn’t give you one. You must have really felt like brothers after Cross training … as a soccer player what do you think such an offer. the benefits are from playing hockey?
Absolutely … at the end I did get the medal. We have a Hockey players today have done so many weights. I am 230 great group of guys and we always do when we play with the today. I think there are few soccer players so heavy, they are national team. I did feel like I was a part of that team, even obviously way quicker and the endurance is way better than though it ended in a sour way not to play. But that’s part of ours. Our game is very different. Even though both sports getting injured and that’s part of sport. I guess you have to have very good athletes, we are built really different. Soccer learn to accept that. training would be more beneficial for us for quickness.
Zidane is coming to town on July 4th for a charity match. If you do leave Vancouver, how would you like people to Would you like to play? remember you?
Oh, I would love to but I don’t think I can run with him. I Oh I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it – just an have watched him over the years and he is obviously one of honest hard working guy, I am not that complicated. Luckily the best that has ever played and yes it would be fun. Most if I move, I am excited about the future. Who knows I might of us Canucks would be concerned about hurting ourselves. be back one day. You never know.
Congratulations Whitecaps! 14 free kick April 2009 April 2009 free kick 15 Coach’s Corner Carolina
Morace Photo by Terry Sue Free Kick met up with the Canadian Women’s new head coach, Carolina Morace, prior to her presentation as the keynote speaker at the BC Coach’s Conference. Morace is a former striker and head coach for Italy. She has a law degree, is a regular TV football analyst in Europe, and was named the World Ambassador for Women’s Football by FIFA.
Many Canadians have welcomed the change after years of a long ball physical- style that left possessive-style footballers shuddering.
Like most Italians, her first language is football and her third is English, so we spoke through an interpreter and wished we had a film camera to convey the passion, knowledge and spirit that the women’s team will inherit through her leadership. Her answers are short and diplomatic, but behind them one can observe the Canadian team is in for catalytic changes.
What are your goals for the Canadian team? not used to that. We found the girls welcomed this change and understood this was soccer. When I was hired, one of the main objectives was to get Olympic and World Cup medals. But actually, we are ranked Looking back at past World Cups games in which eleventh by FIFA. So I know it’s not going to be easy to get Canada played, a lot of people were frustrated by the a medal. style of play. What was your opinion watching it?
Looking at the team now, what are the biggest I appreciate there are different ways to play the game. I challenges? realize the long ball type of game is one way to build up the play, but it’s all connected with the way you train, the way I have already done a number of technical and tactical you prepare for the game, and the way you play the match. changes. At the physical level, we find the training is not related to the soccer game. The players are running running The Italian men have had very defensive teams in the running. The soccer game is not a marathon. Players are not past. Will this be a style used for Canada? marathoners. I have changed the training concept because I think the soccer player is like a sprinter – short 10 to 15 yard I don’t agree that Italy has been a defensive style team. sprints. Maybe before with Trapattoni (2000–2004) or Sacchi (1991– 1996) but with Donadoni (2006–2008), the style changed. What about the physique of soccer players?
After we did the first physical test of the players, we found Morace then politely excused herself to move on to her the upper body of the girls was stronger than the lower body, presentation, where she wowed viewers with her Italian flair which didn’t seem to make sense since so much of soccer and knowledge of the game. As she tactically explained how requires stronger legs. We think the previous combination players would weave the ball out of the back from defender, wasn’t working well. to midfielders to strikers, it was evident that a completely new style of possession, control and precision is in store We really stress the fact that we want to work on quality for the female Canadian player. Canada made great strides rather than quantity. The quality of the run is very important. through past leadership, including a fourth place finish in the Strength in soccer is very important to sprint, stop, and 2003 World Cup, but now we are finally moving forward to a change direction right away. The players on the team were more complete version of the “beautiful game.” 16 free kick April 2009 April 2009 free kick 17 Red Card Yellow Card
We interviewed folks about their ‘nightmare’ dating moments. You know those situations, when you are on a date and suddenly the other person says or does something that makes your head swivel, eyes bulge, or sends a shiver of major doubt down your spine. Just for fun, YOU get to be the referee in this scenario. Does this person get a red card, yellow card or would they be a perfect match for your team?
She told me I have the sexiest keeps calling me “shank,” which soccer tan she has ever seen. is really starting to annoy me. Dale, Victoria Tanya, Maple Ridge
If we have kids, he wants us to He won’t wear the birthday move to Europe so his “son” will uniform I gave him because he have a better chance to become a says he doesn’t like that team. professional. How was I supposed to know? Louisa, Toronto Kris Mississauga
She has a soccer ball tattooed on He’s trying to get a coaching job her ankle and wants me to get a with a women’s team because he matching one. says they’re all hot and they come Mitch, Surrey to him to talk about their personal problems. I passed the ball with him one day Linda, Calgary and he has been so disappointed with me since he hasn’t wanted She wears my uniform. to go out on the field again. He Russ, Vancouver
Palak Paneer: from a chef in India
18 free kick April 2009 April 2009 free kick 19 20 free kick April 2009 April 2009 free kick 21 SoccerScopes
Aries: Singing football songs on the way to training and matches will increase your chance to appear on Canadian Idol.
Taurus: Your devotion to the Stanley Cup playoffs will be considered evil to your devout footballites, best to keep your “other” passion quiet to avoid a snubbing from purists friends.
Gemini: The urge to kick the shins of nearby pedestrians may occur. Wearing sandals may lessen the temptation.
Cancer: Fluorescent shoelaces will lead to more passes from your teammates.
Leo: Shining your shoes prior to games will impress your chances with the What was your first referee. sports injury? Virgo: Dancing with the corner post after scoring a goal has been recommended by the Surgeon General. Best to listen to your doctor’s advice and score lots of goals.
Libra: Hockey checks on defense will lead to you seeing red and yellow.
Scorpio: Diving in the box could lead to a higher scoring record.
Sagittarius: Sporting the latest Beckham hairstyle will increase your romantic opportunities.
Capricorn: Shouting at opponents, referees, even kids in a park will be good for opening up your throat Chakra.
Aquarius: Your soccer passion will benefit from your financial woes. Best to save money juggling your ball instead of splurging on expensive entertainment events.
Pisces: Standing in the free kick wall may be dangerous to your health.
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