VANCOUVER -- John Herdman says that every game tells a story. http://www.nflfalconsus.com/Limited-Steven-Jackson-Youth-Jersey-Atlanta-Falcons-39-Alternate-Black-Nike-NFL-46.html . The head coach of the Canadas womens soccer team learned more about his players Sunday, and for long stretches, he didnt like what he saw. The Canadians were sloppy and plodding for long periods while also failing to capitalize on their numerous scoring chances in settling for a 0-0 draw with Mexico in an international friendly. Ranked seventh in the world, Canada won the bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics and is the host country of the 2015 FIFA Womens World Cup. Mexico, meanwhile, is in rebuild mode and sits 24th in the FIFA rankings. "You expect to beat Mexico, no disrespect," said Herdman. "(Canada) is the seventh-ranked team in the world, bronze medallists. I still think were three or four players (away from being) that team again. Hopefully we can either find those players or get those players back. "I think the Mexicans were worth the score today. They werent miles away from Canada." Herdman was especially displeased with the tail end of the opening 45 minutes. "We just ran out of ideas. That first half, I felt sorry for people watching at home or in the stands. It just wasnt an inspirational or exciting performance," he said. "I think the players knew at halftime that people had paid some money to watch them play, given their Sundays up, and they had to give a bit more. "Its almost like we thought this was going to be easy for some reason." The fact that Mexico wasnt far off will be troubling for Herdman, who has been experimenting with new tactics while giving younger players a chance to show they belong. Some failed to impress. "I just know how much that shirt is worth to people," said Herdman. "If you get a chance to play in front of 20,000 people ... I just expect players to give everything theyve physically got, mentally got. "If youre going to play for Canada, you better be bloody good ... and be good every game." One of the players who caught Herdmans eye was 16-year-old defender Sura Yekka, who won her second cap. "She brought a real bright spot," he said. "If anything, she pretty much showed the way in terms of a positive attitude to really take it to Mexico and I think a couple players fed off her energy." Herdman has brought Kara Lang back into the fold after she retired nearly three years ago because of two serious knee injuries. While the 27-year-old is still a long way off from seeing game action, its clear that outside of captain Christine Sinclair, Canada is still starving for goals. "It tells you a bit of a story of what we need to add to this team," said Herdman of the 0-0 scoreline. Canada had a chance to grab the lead in the 48th minute, but Sophie Schmidt sliced a cross from Brittany Baxter over the Mexican goal. Kaylyn Kyle then had a golden opportunity in alone in the 53rd, only to have Mexican goalkeeper Cecilia Santiago make a save before stopping Emily Zurrers effort on the ensuing corner. Santiago came up huge for her team again on Sinclair in the 78th minute before a Mexican defender blocked Lauren Sesselmanns rebound chance. Santiago had Sinclairs number once more in the 87th, stopping her effort with a diving save as Canada failed to find the elusive goal. "It was a big challenge to come here and close the year with a good performance," said Mexican head coach Leonardo Cuellar. "Obviously were still far away from where we would like to be." Sundays crowd was vocal, with pockets of Mexican supporters scattered across B.C. Place Stadium, which will be the site of the final in 2015. Coming off a drab 3-0 victory over South Korea in Edmonton last month, Canada had some early chances before goalkeeper Erin McLeod was forced to make a sprawling save in the 10th minute off Mexicos Guadalupe Worbis. Baxter, formerly Britanny Timko prior to her marriage this summer, put the ball in the back of the Mexican goal behind Santiago in the 13th minute, but she was ruled offside. McLeod had to be sharp again in the 15th when Worbis, far and away Mexicos most dangerous threat in the first half, stepped around a Canadian defender and fired another shot on target. Sinclair then rounded the Mexican keeper a minute later, but couldnt get her shot past an on-rushing defender. Wilkinson limped off in the 28th minute and made way for Yekka, whose energy down the right side gave Canada some life. Mexico had a dangerous cross in the 29th minute, but Zurrer did well to head the ball behind for a corner that Canada would deal with to end the threat. Despite Sundays performance, Herdman has 18 months until the start of the World Cup to figure out his best lineup and formation. "Today told us about players. Thats what the game constantly does," he said. "Every time we play its a story. You read into that what you want." Notes: Sundays game marked Canadas first in Vancouver since a 3-1 victory over Mexico in the CONCACAF qualifying tournament that secured a spot at the 2012 London Olympics. The Canadians would eventually go on to win bronze following a memorable extra-time loss to the United States in the semifinals. ... Canadas next game is Jan. 31 against the U.S. in friendly to be played in Frisco, Texas. Jake Matthews Lights Out Jersey . Then, the 49-year-old boxer showed his age, referencing a TV character that might have gone over the heads of many young fans. RaShede Hageman Falcons Jersey . -- Jake Waters threw for 271 yards and connected with Tyler Lockett on three touchdowns, leading Kansas State to its first bowl victory in 11 years, 31-14 over Michigan in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl on Saturday night.RALEIGH, N.C. -- Justin Peters wants the Carolina Hurricanes to believe in him. They say they do -- especially after performances like this. Peters stopped 21 shots in his third career shutout and the Hurricanes beat the New York Islanders 1-0 on Thursday night. Radek Dvorak scored a deflected goal in the first period to help the Hurricanes win their second straight following a five-game slide that coincided with a lower-body injury to starting goalie Cam Ward. Peters has allowed a total of one goal in those victories. "Hes given us an opportunity to win these last two games," coach Kirk Muller said. "Hes done his job. Wed like to say were going to score more than one or two goals, but you know what, theres nights you dont have to. Hes given us a confidence that we can just go out and play our game ... and play it the way we want to play it." Peters, making his sixth straight start, made one of his best saves in the final minute of the second period when he stopped a streaking Michael Grabner after a turnover. The Hurricanes blocked 13 shots, three by forward Tuomo Ruutu. Peters finished with the Hurricanes first shutout of the season and his first since blanking Washington last March 12. "I want to create confidence in the team. I have confidence in them, and Im just trying to build that confidence," Peters said. "Every day, we become more confident in each other because we trust each other, because were playing the right way. When we play the right way ... thats when we get rewarded." All six of Carolinas wins have come by one goal. "Games are tight and theres not a lot of room out there," Muller said. "We found a way to win." Backup Kevin Poulin made 23 saves in his second start in six days for the Islanders. They have lost two straight and four of six, and were shut out for the firstt time this season. Deion Sanders Falcons Two Tone Jersey. "Its frustrating to sit here and not even get a point in that game when I felt we deserved a little better," coach Jack Capuano said, "but thats the way it goes." At the very least, their penalty-kill unit showed improvement. They shut down both of Carolinas power plays after giving up four goals with the man disadvantage in a 6-2 loss to the Capitals two nights earlier. The Hurricanes, who have made a habit of falling behind early, scored the first goal of a game for the first time since mid-October -- and needed a deflection to do it. "It was a little almost unusual we got that first one," forward Jordan Staal said. Poulin tried to clear the puck from behind the net but Ron Hainsey kept it in at the blue line, then threw it at the net and Dvorak tipped it in from the side of the net at 6:39. What turned out to be the games only goal also marked Carolinas first in a 5-on-5 situation since Oct. 25. In the four games in between, they scored four goals -- two on the power play, one with a sixth attacker and one in a 4-on-4 overtime to beat Philadelphia two nights earlier. Meanwhile, the Islanders gave themselves plenty of scoring chances but too few pucks on net: New York put just 12 shots on goal during the first two periods. "We gave him an opportunity to make that first save, and our D did a good job of blocking people out in front of the net and preventing those second and third rebounds," Muller said. Added Capuano: "Missed too many shots." NOTES: Hainsey has assists in two straight games -- his only two assists of the season. ... Carolina D Brett Bellemore found himself in two fights in the second, trading punches with Matt Martin before coming to blows with Kyle Okposo. ... New Yorks Travis Hamonic scrapped with Nathan Gerbe early in the third. ' ' '
