TORONTO -- John Herdman called the opportunity to coach a team reeling from a nightmare performance on the world stage "a dream come true." Herdman was named head coach of Canadas womens soccer team Thursday, the first step in the recovery from a disastrous effort at the Womens World Cup in Germany. With the next World Cup set for 2015 in Canada, Herdman said he couldnt wait to coach a host country. "I think for any coach this is a dream move," he said on a conference call, "and Im hoping this will be a dream come true not only for myself but for the players of the Canadian national team and for the people who are just waiting for womens football to reach its peak." Herdman, who was born in England, has previously served as head coach of New Zealands womens team and national director of football development. The Ferns are currently ranked 24th in the world. He replaces Carolina Morace, who resigned after Canadas suffered three losses that resulted in a first-round exit at the World Cup. Canada was ranked sixth in the world and had sky-high expectations when they began play on June 26th, but managed just one goal during the tournament and has since dropped to eighth in the world rankings. Morace turned in her resignation in July during an internal review. Under the 47-year-old Italians guidance the women had a 25-11-5 record. Herdman called his predecessors vision a "modern approach" and added he would build on what Morace did with the team. "The players have bought into a certain style and approach," said Herdman. "We want to build on that and I guess we want to make sure that by 2015 we really can capture the imagination of the home fans here in Canada. "We want a team they can be proud of, we want a team they can entertain them as well as a team thats got that physical presence and spirit that people can really engage with." Herdman arrived in New Zealand in 2003 and took on the role as coach development manager for New Zealand Football. He led the women to the 2006 U-20 World Cup before being named head coach of the senior team in 2007. Under Herdman the Ferns have appeared in the last two Womens World Cups. At this summers competition in Germany, New Zealand had two losses and a tie. "Were disappointed to lose John, but he leaves with our blessing and best wishes," said New Zealand Football chief executive Grant McKavanagh in a statement. "Its a success story that shows that the kiwi coaching system can provide an international pathway for our coaches as well. "He leaves behind a strong legacy, not just for womens football but for football development as a whole." New Zealand also advanced to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing where the team was 0-1-2. Peter Montopoli, the Canadian Soccer Associations general secretary, said last week a new Canadian coach would be in place before exhibition games against the United States on Sept. 17 and 22. Its a short turnaround for Herdman between his hire and the games against the U.S., which he referred to as "a baptism of fire." Herdman declined to say why he thinks Canada did so poorly at the World Cup, but that he plans to use upcoming games to focus on what changes need to be made. "Youve got all the ingredients to be successful so I think there will be some time where you look to see, well, what is it that we need to change to make that difference? Whats the tipping point here?" The CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament will be held in Vancouver in January. The tournament will attract eight teams including Canada, Mexico and the United States, plus three from the Caribbean and two from Central America. The top two countries earn spots in the London Games. 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Eakins, who has been with the Toronto Marlies since 2009 and has two years left on his three-year AHL deal, has received plenty of interest so far from the Canucks, New York Rangers and Dallas Stars, as well as the Edmonton Oilers for an associate coaching position. http://www.cheapjerseyschina.cc/ . -- From Notre Dames unbeaten regular season to college footballs biggest awards, Manti Teo just keeps winning. cheap nfl jerseys .C. - Olympic skicross athlete Julia Murray is retiring from the sport following a long recovery from knee injuries. cheap jerseys .J. -- The New York Jets have downgraded wide receiver Jeremy Kerley and linebacker Garrett McIntyre from doubtful to out for the teams game against the Ravens at Baltimore.INDIANAPOLIS -- IndyCar rookie Josef Newgarden had surgery on his finger Tuesday and will miss this weekends race at Baltimore. Newgarden will be replaced in Sundays race by Bruno Junqueira, who has run just seven laps in IndyCar since 2008. Newgarden broke his left index finger in a frightening crash with Sebastien Bourdais in Sundays race at Sonoma. Newgarden and Bourdais were racing for position when Bourdais went wide on the course. Apparently struggling to turn the car, Bourdais then ran into Newgarden and both cars went off course. Newgarden slammed hard into a wall of tires. "Im really disappointed to not be in the car this weekend but I know Bruno will do a great job for SFHR," Newgarden said. "Ill be in Baltimore helping Bruno and the team in any way I can and focusing on healing for Fontana." Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing hopes to have Newgarden back for the Sept. 15 season finale at Fontana. The team turned to Junqueira, who ran 16 of 18 IndyCar races in 2008. Junqueira has 21 career starts in IndyCar, but ran 101 races in CART. He has eight career victories annd finished second in the CART championship three times.dddddddddddd "It is lucky that we were able to call on Bruno for this weekends race," team co-owner Sarah Fisher said. "He has had great results prior to climbing into the No. 67 car, and I hope we can give him the right platform to bring home a solid finish this weekend in Baltimore. I know Josef is disappointed in the circumstances, as we all are, but this team is being built around him and his seat will be ready for him when hes ready. We look forward to a healthy and speedy recovery for Josef." Junqueira is running full-time in the American Le Mans Series and won at Mosport Park in Canada. Hell be running both the ALMS race on Saturday for Rocketsports Racing and the IndyCar race on Sunday at Baltimore. "I am very happy to be back in IndyCar with SFHR for the Baltimore race weekend," Junqueira said. "Sarahs team is very organized and has been fast all season. 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