Within the space of the year, the two Canadian players who created one of the greatest goals in national team history have called time on their careers. Today, Richard Hastings, who roofed the extra-time golden-goal winner in the 2000 2-1 Gold Cup semifinal over Mexico, announced his retirement from the game. Hastings spent most of his career with Scottish side Inverness Caledonian Thistle, playing there from 1994-2001 and again from 2004-2009.

When news broke last week that women’s national-team coach Carolina Morace was going to resign after the 2011 World Cup over alleged CSA interference in her program, sympathy for the women’s program was widespread. After all, we were just a day from a massive CSA reform vote — and recently retired Kara Lang was off to Ottawa to carry the torch for the development of the women’s game in Canada. It was a noble cry for equality in a sports world dominated by men. But, after the vote, as the women announced their intention to boycott games through the media, there is no shaking that, with every passing day, their support is eroding.

The kid they call the Greek Messi got a gift. Ioannis Fetfatzidis placed a shot underneath the crossbar after a miscue from Canadian defender Ada Straith — and his goal was enough to give Greece a 1-0 win Wednesday in Larissa.

If the women’s national team continues to boycott games into the 2011 Women’s World Cup, FIFA has laws in place that would allow it to fine and suspend the Canadian Soccer Association.

What is disturbing to average Canadian soccer fan (and taxpayer) is that, if the matter is taken to the lawyers, that Morace would be the second women’s coach in a row brought in front of arbitrator.

Canadian men’s national team coach Stephen Hart has been working the phones, trying to get a pair of replacements into the national team roster for Wednesday’s friendly against Greece in Larissa.

Saturday, Canadian Soccer Association delegates followed the wishes of soccer fans in this country, and agreed to turf the status quo. At its meeting in Ottawa, delegates voted to begin the process for a new governance structure for the CSA. The new system is to be phased in beginning in 2012, and reduces the number of members on the board from 20 to 13.

The Canadian Soccer Association revealed the names of the players who will attend the Feb. 5-13 evaluation camp in Sunrise, Fla. The roster illustrates the mountain we have to climb in Canada before we can truly have a well-stocked Canadian program. Of the 23 players on the roster (included below), 13 came from Ontario. One came from Manitoba. Just two from Alberta. And, shockingly, defender Daniel Stanese is the lone representative on the team from B.C.

So, what now for Canada? Carolina Morace, the Italian coach who saved the Canadian women’s program from the thump-the-ball-up-the-field-and-chase-it thuggery promoted by her predecessor, Even Pellerud, will leave the program after the women’s World Cup.

Canadian coach Stephen Hart is still waiting on an answer from Junior Hoilett. The Blackburn Rover from Brampton, Ont. has once again asked the Canadian Soccer Association to be patient, and declined to join the national team for its Feb. 9 friendly against Greece.