Welcome to Kaelan's Site

Hello and welcome to the World of Canadian Soccer!

This site is modelled to give the audience an honest perspective into the development of The Beautiful Game within Canada.

First Blog Post

Story 1 – FIFA Wraps up visits to 2026 World Cup candidate cities with Toronto 

Link – https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/article/fifa-wraps-up-visits-to-2026-world-cup-candidate-cities-with-toronto/canada 

Author/Context

The author is the Canadian Press, this article was published on November 22, 2021 at 6:30 PM. 

Purpose

The main purpose is to dive into a professional review of potential venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

Rationale/Learning Objectives

I have linked this for my readers because an article like this could lead audience members to traveling to destinations advertised. This does not have to be strictly for soccer fans, it could be an excuse to travel to specific cities within Canada. 

Opinions

I believe this article is well-written and kept me enticed throughout the reading of it. It was highly informative in providing cities from all three host countries of: Canada, Mexico and the United States. The written piece gave me new information surrounding the host cities in the USA, which even as an informed soccer fan, I was unaware of. 

Outlook

I am very hopeful that the FIFA Panel sees Vancouver’s BC Place as an adequate venue for the tournament. This would most likely be the closest venue to attend games for anyone living in the Okanagan area. 

Second Blog Post

Story 2 – Hamilton to host Canadian men’s soccer World Cup qualifier against U.S. in January 

Link – https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6262878

Author/Context

The author is the Canadian Press (CBC Sports), this was posted on November 25th, 2021. 

Purpose

This reading is intended to inform the audience where the next World Cup qualifier will be hosted and the reasoning behind it. 

Rationale/Learning Objectives

This was written to explain to fans where the next home matches will be played, as well as explain to the fans why it would be played in this region. This match was initially rumoured to be played in Vancouver, but this article is intended to clear some of that confusion up. 

Opinions

This reading was highly informative of location and dates for the upcoming match, but did not dive into the rationale all that much.

The post did reference their “snowy match” against CONCACAF rivals, Mexico. It also provided other statistical information for other matches that have taken place on Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario. 

Outlook

While personally frustrated that I cannot see the match in Vancouver, I understand that the travel is easier on the Canadian players by hosting the match in Eastern Canada. 

Third Blog Post

Story 3 – ‘Phonzie potential.’ Tajon Buchanan won’t be Canadian soccer’s secret weapon for long. The word is out. 

Link – https://www.thestar.com/amp/sports/soccer/2021/11/10/phonzie-potential-tajon-buchanan-wont-be-canadian-soccers-secret-weapon-for-long-the-word-is-out.html

Author/Context

The author is Laura Armstrong, a staff reporter from the Toronto Star. It was published on November 10th, 2021. 

Purpose

The main purpose of this post is to highlight one of Canada’s up and coming stars, Tajon Buchanan. This article compares him to the upside of their best player, Alphonso Davies. 

Rationale/Learning Objectives

I have linked this for my readers because this reading provides the audience with information on a player that is less well-known and will explain why they should focus on him. 

Opinions

I believe this article is very specific and gets me very excited about Canada’s potential going forward. It is unique to have a player featured who does not get a lot of the spotlight for his country. 

Outlook

Between reading this post, and watching Tajon play many times myself, I am a firm believer that this player has what it takes to be a major impact going forward. He already turned heads this year and signed for a major club in Belgium, the only way is up for this young man. 

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup nearing, how will this impact the growth of soccer in the north?

Brace yourselves for both international and local stories from Kamloops into how this sport is slowly gaining traction!