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. Custom Boston Celtics Jerseys . -- The Washington Redskins coaching staff distanced itself from other coaches Thursday by siding with ownership -- and not the players -- in the NFLs labour dispute. Rajon Rondo Jersey . 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LeBron James leads the Miami Heat in a quest for three consecutive championship titles, while Tim Duncan looks to add his fifth ring with the San Antonio Spurs when the series tips off with Game 1: Miami @ San Antonio on Thursday, June 5 at 9 p.Each week, TSN.ca Fantasy Editor Scott Cullen and NFL Editor Ben Fisher discuss three hot fantasy football topics. In light of their big games in Week 11, which perpetual QB2 are you more confident can keep up their strong play, Ben Roethlisberger or Carson Palmer? Cullen: I definitely prefer Roethlisberger. Not that he doesnt have issues, but when Big Ben goes off, he has some huge games – over 350 yards four times this season and he has thrown for four touchdowns in two of the last three weeks. He also has a decent number of options, with WR Jerricho Cotchery, TE Heath Miller and RB LeVeon Bell playing strong complementary roles in the passing game behind No. 1 receiver Antonio Brown. As for Palmer, hes been better the last three weeks – with two TD passes in each of the last three games – but how much of that has to do with playing Atlanta, Houston and Jacksonville? With more interceptions than touchdown passes, I dont trust Palmer yet. Fisher: Since their Week 5 bye, when the Steelers finally starting winning more games than they were losing, Roethlisberger has had two huge weeks, and four very mediocre ones. Palmer meanwhile is farther down in total points among QBs this season but could be considered the more consistent of the two lately. The difference in their low level performances is negligible but Roethlisberger has more of a penchant for breakout weeks. Plus the Steelers have an easier remaining schedule; Im going with Big Ben. Has Ryan Mathews worked his way back to RB2 status with his play of late? Cullen: Yes, Mathews is okay to consider as RB2. Hes not as consistent as Danny Woodhead, but Mathews has put up double-digit fantasy points iin four of the last five games, thats good enough for a second running back.dddddddddddd You just have to know there will be a week in which he comes up way short of expectations because thats what he does. Fisher: Mathews has put up RB2 or better performances in a little over half his games this year. The other games he was a fantasy team killer. But hes been playing much better of late with four of his last five outings decent ones. I like him as an RB2 because his play has justified at worst a full workload moving forward which should cut out the truly terrible statlines, and at best more red zone and third down opportunities which should lead to more touchdowns and catches. Can Harry Douglas continue to play at a WR2 level the rest of the season? Cullen: Douglas value is tied so closely to the health of Roddy White. So long as White is working his way back and not at 100%, then Douglas will get the looks necessary to put up good numbers – like the 535 receiving yards he has over the last five weeks – but if White is ever healthy enough to be Matt Ryans top target, then I could see Douglas value declining. So far this season, betting against White has been the successful course of action. Fisher: With the Falcons leaning more heavily on pass than run, and Roddy White still garnering the attention of opposing defences top cornerback, I think Douglas is worth 80 yards per week moving forward, maybe more if Atlanta continues to struggle (garbage yards in catch-up mode). That alone nearly makes him worth a start as a WR2; if he can find the end zone more often – he only has two touchdowns since filling in as a starter – his spot would be more secure. ' ' '