“Obviously being the first Canadian team to qualify
for the event was a great achievement in itself,” Mitchell
stated in an email interview with the Other Press. “My
memories were focused on trying to compete at that
level. We had never been there before, so | really didn’t
know what to expect. Unfortunately, | had a serious
injury about a year prior to the World Cup, so | was
really racing to get myself ready and healthy to play.”

Canada was grouped with France, Hungary, and
the USSR. But unfortunately, Canada lost all three
games: Losing to France 1-0, dropping a 2-O decision
to Hungary, and being defeated 2-0 in their final game
against the USSR. As he said, Mitchell only played
in the game against the USSR and remembers what
that experience was like. “| remember taking a free
kick that went slightly over the cross bar,” Mitchell
says. “Back home watching on television most people
thought it had gone in because it hit the fence
behind the goal and it rattled back onto the net.”

This leads to the one persistent question that has
always been asked, yet no definitive answer has been
provided: “Will the men’s team ever qualify again for

the World Cup?” Mitchell’s view reflects what several
senior Canadian Soccer Executives have stated.

“Well, since then most of the CONCACAF nations
have improved more than we have. We are still
badly behind due to the fact that we don’t have
a league where enough Canadian players play
quality minutes every week to improve their level
[of skill]. We have a lot of catching up to do.”

Despite Canada’s challenges in getting
back to the World Cup, Mitchell is looking
forward to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

“’m always excited when the tournament comes
around. Of course, most of the players we are all familiar
with because there are so many games from Europe on
television. Mostly, | am interested to see if Germany can
still be dominant in the tournament again. With some
new players in the squad, Brazil has a much better player
pool than last time. They should be more competitive.
Also, | want to see if the new look Spanish side with the
Real Madrid young midfielders, Isco and Asensio, can
get them back closer to a World Cup Final. Bring it on!”

The 2018 FIFA World Cup

 

 

 

i. -

The slaughter that never was: Italy versus the US (1990 World Cup in Italy)

At the fourteenth FIFA World Cup held in Italy, the host nation faced the US in a group match on June
14. The US were severe underdogs and making their first appearance in a World Cup tournament since
1950. The Italian press was boldly predicting a massacre, proclaiming scores of 10-O and upwards. But
the United States raised their game; they played the Italians hard, only losing by a 1-O score.

Portugal versus Holland: (“Battle of Nuremberg”, Round of 16 match at 2006 World Cup in Germany)

This June 25 match was memorable not so much for the football on the field but for the numerous fouls
committed: lIllegal tackles, pushing and shoving, and tempers escalating throughout the game. Naturally,
the match was filled with many stoppages. Russian referee Valentin Ivanov handed out more cards than
a Hallmark sales rep. He issued 16 yellow cards and four red cards, setting a new record for most cards
shown at any FIFA-administered International Tournament. Portugal would win the game 1-0. Eventually,

2018 FIFA World Cup Group Draw

(Cinoluy om: Group B
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ea OCH
CO aTTEN ele

Group E Group F
Brazil TRIE

A Pea CHT ee
Costa Rica AY et (er

Aya CeCe

football was played. Certainly, pundits would use the match to argue that football is not boring.

Group C Group D
eT ATE

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TEVA Ea EE)

(Cjnojuj ome, Group H
Ta aT Poland

ICE) AYA e1F
TINE) Ry OTE

TCH ar

ors