VANCOUVER -- John Herdman says Canada isnt good enough to win the womens World Cup at the moment, but the teams head coach adds it "absolutely" will be by the time the country hosts the tournament in 2015. www.cowboysstore.us.com/Black-59-Anthony-Hitchens-Womens-Jersey/ . Herdman made the comments on Friday morning at an event to mark the one-year countdown to the FIFA showcase that will be played in six cities across Canada. "At this point, no. Ill be blunt about that," Herdman said when asked if Canada is good enough to win the tournament right now. "In a years time, yes absolutely. Were close. Were getting closer. "We are getting closer in many things, but were not quite there yet. Thats why weve got a year to get that ready." Those preparations include a friendly for the senior team against Germany on June 18 in Vancouver and the womens under-20 World Cup, which Canada will host in August. Herdman predicted Canada would play the United States in the womens World Cup final on July 5, 2015, at B.C. Place Stadium, and made no apologies when a reporter suggested that might be a bold proclamation. "Youve got a home World Cup in Canada, youve got one chance to do this for the country," said Herdman. "It might never come around in our lifetimes again, so what are you going to say? Oh were going to go try our best? Were always going to try our best. You expect anyone who pulls a Canadian shirt on to do that. If weve got one chance to do this, were going to go try and win it. "Were not going to hide from that." The challenge for Herdman and his staff is one that has plagued Canadian coaches of both the mens and womens teams for years -- where is the offence going to come from? The team has relied on star striker Christine Sinclair since way back in 2000, but she will need help if Canada is going to have any chance of raising the womens World Cup trophy on home soil. "Its the little details now of scoring goals. We know that well defend as a team," said Herdman. "We know that well fight and well battle. Its about the craft now against those top teams of carving out more opportunities and scoring goals. Weve been working towards that." Canada, currently ranked seventh in the FIFA rankings, was named as the host country for the womens World Cup more than three years ago and Herdman said the pressure is beginning to ramp up with just 12 months to go. "Im starting to get those pre-wedding day nerves now ... cant run away from this one," the Englishman said with a laugh. "It is getting real and its intensifying in our environment as well. Youre starting to get serious about the squad, identifying people that need to be on the bus, starting to look at how we absolutely make sure we leave no stone left unturned. "Its almost like the big exams are coming around the corner and people are really starting to focus in now and get their heads into what its going to take." One of the players Herdman is high on for the upcoming under-20 tournament is defender Kadeisha Buchanan. The 18-year-old from Toronto has already played for the senior team and will be a big part of Canadas chances this summer, and quite possibly again in 2015. "I smile every time I talk about Kadeisha because shes just a kid that loves it," said Herdman. "She absolutely loves it and no challenge is too big, nothings too stressful. She just loves her sport. Shes had a tough background and she appreciates everything she gets." Canada won bronze at the 2012 London Summer Olympics, but it was the controversial semifinal loss to the United States that grabbed the nations attention. Herdman is hoping next summers group will create some new memories, beginning with his teams first game a year from Friday at Edmontons Commonwealth Stadium. "Well be ready to connect the country again around some amazing moments," said Herdman. "Well laugh together, well chew our fingernails together, well cry together ... and hopefully this time it will be tears of joy." www.cowboysstore.us.com/Black-71-Ben-Gardner-Womens-Jersey/ . Theyve been holding their breath for six years now, but finally they can exhale. As Celtics forward Jared Sullinger forced up a wild, off-balance runner, the building erupted. It was official. Devin Street Womens Jersey . Miamis 7-1 loss to Josh Beckett and the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night was overshadowed by the announcement team president Michael Hill made in the Dodger Stadium press box during the third inning. Hill said Marlins doctor Lee Kaplan had recommended Tommy John surgery to repair a significant tear in Fernandezs right elbow.TORONTO -- In the world of professional sports, two months can feel like a lifetime. In a gritty 94-92 Chicago Bulls victory over the Raptors on Wednesday night, D.J. Augustin returned to Toronto to face the team that waived him in December and led the way. Augustin smiled when asked about the big night, but stressed the importance of getting another victory against an Eastern Conference opponent. "It feels good," Augustin said. "Not just with my past here, but because were fighting for the third spot with them so it feels good. It feels really good." Scoring 13 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter against his former team, Augustin got revenge on the team that sent him packing and the Bulls pulled out a huge win against the team that is directly above them in the Eastern Conference standings. "D.J. has been huge for us," Joakim Noah said of his point guard. "And I know this was a big game for him, too, being able to play in Toronto, the team that cut him, and play well like that and lead us to victory. That must be the best feeling in the world. Just prove your doubters wrong." Carlos Boozer led the Bulls with 20 points, Kirk Hinrich scored 19 points and Noah recorded a career-high 13 assists. DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors with a game-high 32 points. Kyle Lowry added 16 points, but shot just 4-for-13 from the floor. With Toronto having played in Washington the night before, the Bulls came out strong and led by 10 at the end of the first quarter. Toronto was able to trim the deficit to seven at the half. Chicago went into the fourth ahead by eight. Things stayed heated throughout the game, particularly down the stretch of the fourth quarter as the teams traded scores until a Jimmy Butler defensive stop on a DeRozan jumper with 2.9 seconds remaining allowed the Bulls to walk off the court victorious. "DeRozan is a load and I thought Jimmy defended him on several plays as well as you can," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. " 1/8DeRozan 3/8 is a big-time player. Each year he has improved significantly to the point where he iss as good as it gets. Devin Street Navy Blue Jersey. Theres constant pressure on you. Jimmy battled and thats what I like about Jimmys mindset. He is going to keep coming." While DeRozan was unsuccessful down the stretch, the Raptors had a hard time criticizing the effort they received from their All-Star. "Hes our go-to guy throughout the game," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said of DeRozan. "He gave us 32 points and hes going to grow into that role in closing games. Thats something he has to learn how to do. Its not a lack of trying; he made a strong move there, got into the paint, rose up and got a shot off. I dont know how you can fault it." It was Chicagos first game since the all-star break layoff, but they showed little rust, and plenty of intensity. "That was a playoff game," Casey said. "Thats something our players have to get used to. That type of intensity, that physicalityawe have to initiate that from the beginning of the game." Seven technical fouls were called in the grind it out game, and exactly the type of game that Chicago excels at. "We were going against a tough Eastern Conference team," DeRozan said. "Thats one of the toughest teams when it comes to physicality, beating you up, holding, grabbing through the whole game." DeRozan wasnt surprised that Augustin had a big game in his return to the city. "D.J. Can shoot the ball," DeRozan said. "Hes a smart point guard. Hes very crafty. Hes creative. He knocked down a couple of big shots for them." Chicago pulled ahead by as many as 15 points in the first half before the Raptors called a timeout midway through the second quarter. Coming out of the timeout, Toronto reeled off a 14-2 run before trailing 48-41 at the half. The Bulls refused to relinquish their lead and they led 70-62 after three quarters. Back-to-back three-pointers from Augustin to open the fourth put the Bulls up by 10. After Butlers stop on DeRozan, the Raptors fouled Butler and he made one of two free throws to put the Bulls ahead by two. A 43-foot heave from DeRozan at the buzzer missed the mark. ' ' '
