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VANCOUVER -- John Herdman says that every game tells a story. 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. Kyle Seager Jersey . Appearing on TSN 1050 on Tuesday, Sean McAdam of Comcast SportsNet New England reported that the Blue Jays, along with a number of other playoff contenders were in the mix for the Boston ace. Felix Hernandez Jersey . Im very excited about the playoffs, particularly in the Western Conference with amazing match-ups, as well as the wonderful local story in the Toronto Raptors. It should be a blast. Here are my predictions, but based upon my lousy prognostications during the NCAA Tournament, you might be better off going the other way on some of mine - particularly with the Raptors, who I hope and pray are able to win an incredibly difficult match-up. http://www.cheapmarinersjerseys.com/ . The Suns termed Fridays surgery by team doctor Thomas Carter a success. No timetable was given for Bledsoes return but the team said in a news release that he "will pursue a possible return to action during the second half" of the season. Dee Gordon Jersey . After the loss, White refused to make good on the bet, instead offering Hoyt tickets to a Bears game. Alex Colome Jersey .3 million qualifying offer to outfielder Michael Cuddyer on Monday.As a kid hed watch from the upper deck of Rogers Centre, back in the days when fans were allowed to sit in that area. Saturday afternoon Jermaine Gabriel will make his first CFL start far, far below those nosebleed seats. Gabriel was born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario, in Torontos east end. Hed become a star on the field at Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute, then hed watch the local CFL squad, particularly drawn to the skills and leadership of Jordan Younger. Now he gets to start at the same safety position where "J.Y." excelled at the end his career, before walking off the field for the final time after a win in the 100th Grey Cup game in 2012. "Its my first start," Gabriel beamed. "I was supposed to start in a game last season, but I got hurt on the first play of the game on special teams." If you think the 24-year old is pumped to play, youre bang on. "Of course youre going to get amped up," Gabriel told TSN.ca. "Im just ready to go." The opportunity to play came about when Matt Black, the Argos starting safety, was injured in the seasons opening game in Winnipeg. By the end of the 2013 campaign, Black was splitting time on the field with Gabriel, who had been the 17th overall pick in that years draft. The veteran has been very helpful in first-time starters preparation for the Roughriders. "Matts like an older brother to all of us in the secondary," continued Gabriel. "Hes been here the longest (six seasons) and you can ask him anything and he wont hesitate to give us the right answer. Hes actually helped me quite a bit in getting readdy mentally for the game.dddddddddddd" Black and Gabriel are both Toronto raised, but provide different skill sets. The elder player has the speed of a corner, but plays the game very cerebrally. The second-year player is more physical and will make opposing players pay the price if they wander into his area. Getting ready for the Riders means preparing for one of, if not the most talented team in the CFL. When asked what the best part of the Riders offence was Gabriel paused, as if going over a mental checklist of all the problems the opposition could provide. After a long pause he settled on what was likely the person he thought about as soon as the question was posed. "Darian Durant," deadpanned the safety about Saskatchewans quarterback. "Hes a great player and were just going to have to play solid, disciplined defence." As Gabriel wades into his pro career, hes still sometimes at a loss to think about the way his career has progressed, now playing for the team he watched as a kid. "It sunk in a bit last year," Gabriel admitted, the smile on his face widening as he continued. "Ive got guys in the stands that when I walk by they scream Scarborough! and they cheer, so its good that they recognize that Im actually from here and I get to play for my home team." There will be many young football players in the stands at the Rogers Centre Saturday afternoon. No doubt, at least one of them will be a defensive back, and if Gabriel makes a big play or two, the fan may become as inspired by the hometown hero as the current Argo was by Jordan Younger. ' ' '