New president of CSA hopes for national team success in both men's and women's games

In St. Helen's Parish there are many fans of soccer, "the beautiful game." Now the parish can also claim to be home to the president of Soccer Canada. Parishioner Victor Montagliani is the new president of the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA).

The B.C. Catholic's Alistair Burns got a chance to sit down with Montagliani recently to talk about soccer, life, and faith.
Alistair Burns: How did you first become involved with "the beautiful game?"

Victor Montagliani: I grew up in East Vancouver and started playing at a young age. I managed to go on to play for some very good clubs and learned to love the game.

AB: You've been vice-president of the CSA since 2005. Why did you decide to stand for election to the presidency?

VM: Everything is really about timing. I decided to run for president to continue the massive amount of work done in the last seven years to make the CSA more modern, to bring it up to date.

AB: Being president encompasses a lot. What do you do behind the scenes to help the national teams?

VM: I'm not just the president; I'm the chairman of the board as well. My job is to ensure the board provides the proper oversight and structure, and builds the amateur game across Canada, and not just for the national teams. For the national team sides, we have to make sure from under 15 onwards that we're training them properly. It's a team effort.

AB: Soccer has been called the world's religion, since so many people play and watch it. Why is the sport so compelling?

VM: It's one of the few sports that can be played by every race, every creed, and both sexes. It's been engrained in every country in the world; it's in their DNA. It's a game that has its romantic ebbs and flows; the predictability isn't there like in football.

AB: How does religion play a role in your life?

VM: I'm a parishioner at St. Helen's in Burnaby; both my children go to Catholic school. I'm a practising Catholic: trust me, every time the national team plays, I pray for results, and I think many Canadians pray for results.

AB: Let's move to the men's national team. What's your assessment for World Cup qualifying so far?

VM: Canada is in a four-team group with Cuba, Honduras, and Panama. In our last game (June 12) we tied Honduras in a scoreless draw. With four points from two games, we're right in the mix, second in the group.

I think we've had a good start. When we went to the dressing room (on June 12), the boys were disappointed. That's good because it shows they want to compete.

Most impressive on the pitch is our captain Kevin McKenna (a midfielder). He's been great, directing our back four for outstanding defence.

Canada hasn't been in this position for a long time. Right now, we're in the penultimate round. This is the best we've done since 1996, when we last qualified for the "hex," the nickname given to the final North American qualification round.

AB: I've seen highlights of the Canadian run to the World Cup in 1986, the only time the men qualified for the final. How important is it for the men to make it to Brazil in 2014?

VM: It's important for all players. It'll inspire all Canadians, since 32 nations out of 209 go to the final. It'll get the attention of laymen, of sponsors on Bay Street, everyone. I know in Canada everyone thinks hockey is king, but the sport of the world is soccer. Getting to the World Cup cements our position as an international player.

AB: On the ladies' front, the Canadians qualified for the London Olympics. Why is this a milestone?

VM: It's an accomplishment to make our second straight Summer Olympics, not a milestone. We're looking for success as an association, and as president, I want to win.

AB: The Women's World Cup (WWC) is coming up in 2015 on home soil. FIFA President Sepp Blatter predicted the event would have more of an impact and legacy than the Olympics. What's your take on that?

VM: He's right. The Olympics were for only one city, and Vancouver hosted a great games. Canadians did crack open a few beers to watch the hockey final, and celebrated. But the World Cup is in six different cities, coast to coast, for the entire country. The impact will be a lot larger.

AB: At the last WWC in Germany, the Canadian ladies went without a victory. What needs to happen in London?

VM: They've recovered from a devastating letdown. With tournament play, the coaches will have them ready for the entire experience, not just 90 minutes. Canada is facing a key game from the get-go as they start the Olympics against the Japanese, the current WWC champions.

AB: Before being elected CSA president, you supported a Canadian player quota for teams in Major League Soccer (MLS). Could you explain that?

VM: Sure. I felt it was appropriate for MLS Canadian teams (Vancouver Whitecaps, Toronto FC, and Montreal Impact) to each have three Canadian players. I want to develop Canadian players, future stars. Right now the quota is in effect.

The Canadian women will compete at the London Olympics in a group with Japan, Sweden, and South Africa. The men's side will host Panama Sept. 7 in a World Cup qualification match.