O Canada

With MLS Thursday on ESPN now as American as an SUV full of apple pies and David Beckham on the way, the future of American soccer is safe. And it’s looking good north of the border too. Toronto FC are showing all the other MLS fans how it’s done, with great attendance, passion and – let’s not forget – seat cover throwing, while Canada will also host the FIFA U-20 World Cup this summer, showcasing some serious young talent.

Just as encouraging, Canadians have decided to get serious off the field. On Thursday Fred Nykamp was named the new Chief Executive of the Canadian Soccer Association, a position that’s been vacant since Kevan Pipe was fired last November.

Nykamp joins from Canada Basketball, where he successfully got all the various regional associations on the same page and playing the same rules. His new task will be similar, not so much with the rules, more with getting everyone pulling in the same direction. CSA President Colin Linford described Nykamp as “a personable person who could make 850,000 people think the same way.”

Canada also has a new national team head coach, with Dale Mitchell being appointed last week, though he’ll still be U-20 head coach for the aforementioned World Cup. So fingers crossed that Toronto FC, Nykamp and Mitchell adds up to a bright future for Canadian soccer, and CONCACAF can look forward to a good three way rivalry between USA, Mexico and Canada.

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Category: World Football