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The 2014 FIFA World Cup is nearly behind us, a tournament thats been repeatedly called the best of all time. And Canadians have bought in, consuming the games on radio and television, mounting flags to their cars and following the news from Brazil with great anticipation throughout. Theres only been one thing missing for fans in this country – Canada. No matter how big a soccer fan you are, theres just no doubt the tournament would take on a different kind of appeal if Canada had a stake in the game. The diversity of teams being followed across the country over the past month is a reflection of the mosaic that is Canada, which is fine. But wouldnt it be a heck of a lot more fun if we all had a common rallying point, from one coast to another? Our struggles in mens soccer are well documented, with just one World Cup appearance in 1986, despite the fact that participation levels for soccer players in Canada surpassed hockey during the late stages of the last century. The national mens team is currently tied with Bahrain for 110th in the world. Fortunately, the state of things in the womens game couldnt be more different. Which is why there will be a much different dynamic surrounding the 2015 FIFA Womens World Cup which will take place next summer in Canada. For while this will be a tournament about hosting the world in a global game at venues in Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal, Moncton, Winnipeg and Edmonton next June and July, it will also be about showcasing and getting behind Canadians in the sport of soccer. Team sports tend to get overshadowed at the Olympics. But there is no doubt the most compelling story of the 2012 Summer Games in London was Canada winning bronze in womens soccer. The Canadian women losing in dramatic -- and controversial -- fashion against the United States, and subsequently defeating France to win a medal were two of the most memorable international sporting moments in recent Canadian history. Throw in the fact Canada possesses a world-class star player in Christine Sinclair and you have the kind of dynamics behind which an entire country can rally. Canada currently ranks seventh in womens soccer worldwide, ahead of such traditional soccer nations as England, Italy and the Netherlands, countries our men couldnt touch on their best days. So the optimism about what Canada might accomplish is based on more than just the 2012 Olympic result and the fact that the tournament will be played here. At the top of the heap in womens soccer is the United States which, besides being the tournament favourite, also represents Canadas greatest rival. What will it be like when Canada and the U.S. play next summer? What kind of television audience will it draw? Well consider the factors that could make this one of the marquee events on the Canadian sporting calendar next season. First, the proximity of the U.S.to Canada means the U.S. will have a strong contingent of supporters along with them. Then there is the recent history, the bitterness of the Canadians and the raw feelings over the manner in which they were defeated by the U.S in London. Throw in the fact that the Canadian team is comprised almost exclusively of players who got their training in the U.S. and you can understand why the familiarity of this rivalry makes it so intense. But the real payoff to having the Womens World Cup is what it may mean to the sport of womens soccer in Canada in general. Weve seen the effect that the womens national hockey team has had on the growth of the sport among young girls and women. By its very nature, soccer is a more accessible sport than hockey, which means the potential to seed future generations of womens soccer players is immense. Its one thing to present the worlds game to Canadians and tell them to pick a country to get behind. Its something completely different, and far, far more compelling to tell them they can get behind their own. Soccer isnt a new game in Canada, and from widespread participation to the emergence of Major League Soccer in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal to the technology that allows fans to follow it around the globe, its become a significant part of the sporting fabric of Canada. But safe to say we have never experienced the sport like we will next summer. Cheap Mavericks Jerseys . JOHNS, N. Wholesale Mavericks Jerseys . The first of the three games will be played in Week 4, when the Oakland Raiders will take on the Miami Dolphins on Sept. http://www.cheapmavericksjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-wesley-matthews-jersey . 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell. Jason Kidd Jersey . After Andrew Romine served up two monster home runs in the inning, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said he thought Romine was one of the bright spots on the night, showing just how bad the series opener against the last-place Minnesota Twins went for the Tigers. Luka Doncic Jersey . Gaborik was acquired in a trade with Columbus on Wednesday and skated on the top line with centre Anze Kopitar and right-winger Justin Williams. "We created some things," said Gaborik, who logged 16:38 of ice time.SAUCIER, Miss. - Jeff Maggert admitted his decisive putt on No. 17 at Fallen Oak wasnt supposed to be one that actually dropped. He was just trying to get it close. So when the 50-foot putt rolled up and down a big ridge as it broke from left to right — and then fell into the hole — the Champions Tour rookie was as surprised as anyone. He had been consistent all week. Now just a little bit of luck had pushed him to victory at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic at Fallen Oak on Sunday. "You cant count on those going in very often," Maggert said with a grin. Maggert became the 17th player in Champions Tour history to win in his debut, shooting a 4-under 68 to capture his first victory since the 2006 St. Judes Classic on the PGA Tour. The 50-year-old fell into a tie for the lead with Billy Andrade after making bogey on No. 16, but responded with the astonishing putt that pushed him back ahead. "I was just trying to hit an easy lag putt," Maggert said. "I wanted an easy tap-in for par and it was just one of those things — the ball found the hole." When it dropped, Maggert shook his head in disbelief. He finished the tournament with an 11-under 205. Maggert is a three-time PGA Tour winner who turned 50 in February. His consistent weekend included a 68 on Friday, a 69 on Saturday and he capped his debut performance at Fallen Oak with four birdies on the back nine on Sunday to earn the $240,000 paycheque. "I had expectations to play well, but I didnt know if I would play well enough to win," Maggert said. "Id been struggling a little with my game, but eeverything just kind of came together.dddddddddddd It was one of the best tournaments, as far as ball striking, that Ive had in a few years in any event. That really carried me through." Andrade, who started the day tied with Fred Funk for the lead, shot a 71 to finish in second two strokes back. Andrade and Funk started the final round on top of a tight leaderboard, with a one-stroke lead over Fred Couples, Jay Haas and Maggert. The round was pushed back two hours because of rain, but the slightly soggy course didnt affect scoring much. Funk fell off the pace quickly, finishing with a 75. Haas was steady, but could never get on a roll and shot a 71 to finish tied for third with Bernhard Langer, who jumped up the leaderboard with a 68. Couples — who won the Toshiba Classic last week — faded after shooting a 66 to take a two-stroke lead in the opening round. He shot a 72 on Sunday to finish fifth. That left Andrade as Maggerts biggest challenger. The 50-year-old was playing in just his fourth Champions Tour event and had the lead at the turn, but made three bogeys on the back nine to fall out of contention. Andrade hasnt played much the past four years while working part-time as an analyst for The Golf Channel. He said Sundays back nine was frustrating, but that the weekend had shown him "that I still do have a little talent and I can play with these guys." "I havent been in this type of situation in a long time," Andrade said. "Its probably going to take me a little while to get the rust off when it comes to nerves and being in the hunt." ' ' '