Canada vs. Japan: Hard to dislike the World Cup champs

Sure, when it comes to rivalries in women’s soccer, the Americans are at the top of the Canadian totem pole. They are the ones we, as Canadians, love to hate. So, as the Canadians women’s national team gets set to face the World Cup champions from Japan twice in the coming week, you can’t expect there to be a war of words. Really, the series of friendlies sorta feels like we’re inviting a well-respected friend and the kids over for a playdate. Canadian keeper Erin McLeod was at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Fieldhouse to help conduct a clinic for local minor soccer players and, after, she spoke of the challenge of playing the Japanese. “They are so tactically disciplined, I think it will be a wonderful match for us,” said McLeod. “They are wonderful opponent, they are so well organized, we can’t afford any slip-ups for the entire 90. “I think Japan reminds me of Germany. Germany is always so very organized and so is Japan. You saw in the World Cup, it was incredible what they did. It was after the tsunami and they really brought a nation together, so the spirit and the heart that team has, we won’t overlook it.” The kind, respectful words may conceal a deeper truth; it wouldn’t be out of bounds to suggest that the Japanese and the Germans (and maybe even the French) would go into 2015 as a more fancied World Cup pick than the Americans. The days are slipping where the American athleticism, strength and endurance could overwhelm a tactically superior team. We saw it at the U-20s, where the Americans struggled against sides that were more disciplined. So, you could argue that seeing Japan Saturday at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium and then on Oct. 28 at BC Place could do more to help Canada see where it really stands going into next year than those piss-and-vinegar “friendlies” against the Americans. McLeod sees the two games as part of an important building process for the Canadian team. “It’s extremely important, every game we play now until the World Cup, we see everything as a preparation event, just part of the process to help us gear up for the big event at home,” said McLeod. “I love that we’re playing Tier 1 opponents at home, getting ready for what it will be like, and I think it will work to our advantage.” Chances are, Canadians will be seeing a lot more of Japan in 2015, as it could go very deep into the Women’s World Cup. READ PLASTIC PITCH TODAY. ISSUE 3 OUT NOW — WE LOOK BACK AT THE U-20 WWC and LOOK FORWARD TO WWC 2015! PLUS, BACK ISSUES (1 and 2) ON SALE FOR JUST $1.99 EACH THROUGH MONTH OF OCTOBER! (Also available for Android devices at Google Play)