Soccer: Canada vs Argentina: Non-WorldCup team from Canada

"As has been the custom since their one shining (and short) moment in Mexico in 1986, the Canadians failed to qualify under [today's coach Stephen] Hart’s hapless predecessor Dale Mitchell, and so won’t be part of the 32-team field in South Africa" in South Africa (June 11 - Ju;y 11 this year). So the Canadians aren't nowadays duking it out in the soccer finals around the globe in thia preliminary period before the World Cup.

Argentina, however, is competing in the finals, and nevertheless they've got a date squeezed into their schedule for Stephen Hart's Canadian national soccer team on Victoria Day (May 24), of all dates!, in Buenos Aires, of all places! This event is part of a last-minute "tuneup" for the Argentines (coached by Diego Maradonna, of all the possible coaches!), Chris Young tells us in his piece in Toronto's Star. From the match with Canada, the Argentines will fly off to Dubai, then to South Africa.

You've got to read Young's dispatch, for its superb characterization of the aging and still wily Maradonna -- if for no other reason. But there's lots more that's worthwhile as well in the Young piece (May14,2k10).

In any case, after Buenos Aires, team Canada will play an exhibition game in Venezuela (May29). We expect the pubs of Toronto will to overflow for World Cup days. Coach Harper thinks Brazil take the Cup in 2010. If you're living in Toronto, try checking out Toronto's Portuguese and Brazilian bars some time thru the last two weeks.