Hardy(T)'s World Soccer Diary

4/5/96, Calgary, Canada. Pre Olympic Qualifying Tournament Friendly

Canada U23 2
(Kusch, Thompson)
USA U23 1
(Suarez)
Att: 5,387 at Mewata Stadium, Calgary.

It's the last day of the 95/96 season back in dear old Blighty, and Pompey need to win at Huddersfield to stay in Division One. So, where am I? Freezing my nadgers off in Calgary on the first leg of my epic World Soccer odyssey. The CONCACAF Olympic (U23) Qualifying Tournament is due to be held in Edmonton the following week, so Canada and the USA are using this opportunity to get in a last minute friendly.

 

$8 secures admission to the stadium and a further $5 purchases the excelllent 72-page Soccer Canada matchday magazine. It's an absolute mine of information with heaps of stats regarding Atlanta 96, Euro 96, France 98, the Major Soccer League and soccer in Canada. Unfortunately the $8 admission is not quite such good value for money. Apart from the small VIP area, the ground is totally exposed to one of Canada's coldest springs. A basic concrete terrace hugs one touchline, a few rows of temporary seating are to be found along the other and both 'ends' are open. This does, however, facilitate a view of the high-rise towers in down-town Calgary and the adjacent army barracks. The pitch itself is a converted Canadian Football (gridiron) pitch - pretty narrow and with the 10,20,30,etc markings still visible - and is also an absolute quagmire to boot. As a result, the first half is pretty dire. In fact, the most entertaining aspect of the first half is watching the ball boys (girls, actually) floundering around in huge, fluorescent yellow ponchos in an attempt to retrieve the often out of bounds ball.

A Bleak Afternoon in Calgary

The second half is a big improvement. Temoc Suarez gives the US the lead, totally against the run of play, and this injects a bit of life into the home crowd. Led on by a very loud, fat man running up and down the touchline with a huge Canadian flag, the home fans cheer their team on to equalise through Garret Kusch and eventually take the lead through former Crystal Palace and Colchester forward Niall Thompson who, according to Soccer Canada, has the interesting nickname of 'Knack Daddy'. One doesn't like to ask...

 

Meanwhile, back in the real world, Deon Burton's goal at the McAlpine Stadium and Millwall's draw at Ipswich secures Pompey's Division One status. Play up Pompey!!!

 

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