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The FIFA World Cup has arrived in Africa. After years of preparation the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ kicked off on Friday in Johannesburg. An elaborate ceremony, held in the Soccer City Stadium officially opened the month–long soccer celebration. The ceremony was followed by the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ in which host nation South Africa earned a 1:1 with Mexico in front of 90,000 fans. In the other match on day one of the competition France and Uruguay drew 0:0 at the beautiful Green Point Stadium in Cape Town.
A three-time FIFA Women’s World Cup participant, Silvana Burtini is one of the most decorated Canadian women’s national team players of all time.
The Soccer Hall of Fame held its 11th annual Induction Banquet on Saturday night at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex in Toronto, ON. Three players, two builders, one Pioneer Award winner, one Team of Distinction, and new for 2010, an Organization of Distinction were officially introduced as the Hall’s 11th Induction Class.
Dr. Walter Thomson was one of Canada’s earliest soccer stars. As a member of Canada’s first touring teams in the 1880’s he was cited as one of the most outstanding players of his generation and received rave reviews during his tours to Britan in 1888 and 1891.
Gordie Ion was a member of Canada’s first national team to participate in FIFA World Cup™ Qualifiers, doing so in 1957 for a pair of games against CONCACAF rivals USA (a 5:1 win in Toronto) and Mexico (an 0:3 loss in front of 75,000 spectators in Mexico). Ion is remembered as a skilful midfielder with a penchant for picking out open teammates.
Canada’s women’s national team completed its week-long European camp with an encouraging draw with hosts Norway in an International friendly on Thursday. Josée Bélanger scored the Canadian goal in the 1:1 draw played at Fart Stadium in Hamar.
L’équipe canadienne nationale féminine a terminé son camp d’une semaine en Europe avec un match nul encourageant avec les hôtes de Norvège lors d’un match international amical jeudi. Josée Bélanger a marqué le but solitaire du Canada lors de ce match nul de 1:1 joué au Stade Fart à Hamar.
Toronto FC closed off the 2010 Nutrilite Canadian Championship by parading the Voyageurs Cup in front of its fans at BMO Field on Wednesday 2 June. With the title already clinched, Toronto played out 90 minutes to a 0:0 draw against Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
