Kevin Blue, Canada Soccer CEO, talks World Cup in the Great North
Former UC Davis Athletic Director has seen dramatic increase in soccer participation in Canada
Yes, there is a great frenzy about red cards and yellow cards and the fact the United States men’s soccer team is now in the Round of 16, just four wins away from claiming its first World Cup championship.
Ever.
Although it’s unlikely Paul Revere ever kicked a goal without being offside, he is surely, from his star-spangled spot above, watching what is unfolding on the pitch below as we prepare to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday.
Be that as it may, under the heading “there’s always a local angle,” I’d like to turn our attention northward and point out that Canada has also moved into the Round of 16 under the leadership of Kevin Blue, the CEO and General Secretary of Canada Soccer.
Yes, that’s the same Kevin Blue who served nearly five years as UC Davis Athletic Director before leaving in 2020 for the land of his birth as Chief Sport Officer for Golf Canada.
Born in Montreal and raised in Toronto, Blue moved into his new position with Canada Soccer in early 2024.
The other day I happened to trip (no yellow card) across an interview Blue did with Miranda Anthistle of the Canadian TV program Global News Morning.
I’ll share the good parts here, with the observation that when I watched the video I realized Blue hasn’t aged even a day since I first met him when he arrived at UC Davis from Stanford in 2016.
As one of the three host countries, Canadians were thrilled with last Saturday’s 1-0 win over South Africa in the Round of 32, a first for Canadian soccer in the World Cup.
Canadian coach Jesse Marsch had this to say to his team after the 1-0 victory over South Africa:
“I think it means a lot,” said Blue of Canada’s role as a host country.
“It means that Canada will be on display in the biggest sporting event in the world. Soccer is played in 211 countries around the world, all of whom are members of FIFA, and it’s truly the biggest global stage in sports, so it’s an opportunity for Canada to shine when the World Cup is all done.”
Asked what he hoped for, Blue noted, “I think we want to see our team compete successfully and make everybody proud first and foremost, but from a bigger perspective, we want the nation to be captivated by not only our team, but the sport and the global magnitude of the sport. Soccer is already the biggest participation sport in Canada. More youth players are playing soccer than any other sport.”
And here I thought every Canadian was born with a hockey stick in his or her hands.
In fact, I remember one summer day in Edmonton long ago when I noticed a deep, long and wide depression in the ground at a beautiful city park.
When I inquired why it was there, I was told “We flood that in winter and that’s where the neighborhood kids play hockey.”
Who knew?
But apparently, according to Blue, in the Great North kicking a big round ball has replaced slapping a small round puck as the sport of choice, though both games still require placing a round object into a net over the serious objections of a goalie.
Some have described soccer as hockey on grass, while others have described hockey as soccer on ice.
Added Blue of soccer, “In the last 10 years we’ve seen such a massive growth in the game. I think you inevitably see gravity pulling Canadians in the direction of soccer. We’re still a relatively young soccer country, but there is now a lot of tailwind for the sport. I think everybody in Canada, especially Canada Soccer, recognizes the trailblazing nature of our women’s program, and now it’s the men’s opportunity.”
Anthistle, the interviewer, noted that she is a native of England and still follows English soccer religiously, giving her mixed loyalties in the World Cup.
“I’d like to talk about multiculturalism in Canada, which is such a beautiful thing and, of course, one of our country’s strengths,” she pointed out.
“What’s your advice for those fans who came from other countries but who have lived in Canada for a long time? Who should they cheer for?”
At that, Blue broke into a broad smile and with a charming laugh said simply, “Cheer for Canada.”
O Canada.
Go Canada.