Today we're joined by Scott Mitchell, the president of the Hamilton Tiger Cats, the group behind Steeltown's NASL bid, to talk about yesterday's announcement and their plans for the future.
We're also be joined by CSL commissioner Domenic Di Gironimo to talk about their plans for further expansion next year, the new start for the league and what the future holds.
We'll also set up TFC's game against Kansas City and name our MLS games of the week.
Friday, July 30, 2010
What to do about the women
The W-League Vancouver Whitecaps have advanced to the championship final of the second tier of North American professional women’s soccer. They defeated the Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues 3-1 last night to win the semi-final.
They play the Buffalo Flash Saturday for the championship. The Flash and the ‘Caps are both undefeated. The title game is being played at a neutral venue, in Santa Clarita, Ca.
The ‘Caps organization is likely strong enough to enter WPS and make a good run of it. I would argue that a Canadian WPS side would enter as one of the league favourites, as they would be likely to attract a good portion of the Canadian national team (while the USWNT is evenly spread around the other teams). Unfortunately the ‘Caps have long said that they are not interested in WPS. At least right now. As much as I emotionally wish that were different, I can’t argue with the logic behind it.
With the LA Sol gone after year one and St. Louis Athletica joining them before the second year was a quarter done it’s hard to see a bright future for the league. Increasingly, I wonder whether the ‘Caps don’t have the right idea. Maybe the franchise based model of WPS is doomed to failure and the correct way forward for women’s soccer is club based and regionally focused.
We can lament all we want about people not supporting womens' sport. The world is unfair. However, complaining about it isn’t going to put more people into the seats. For the women’s game to take root at a professional level it needs to find a way to be sustainable. The best way to do that is to slowly grow and find a core audience that comes back year after year
That’s where WPS fails. By attempting to sprint in the 100m Olympic Final on steroids before it crawls, the league sets itself up for a constant battle of survival. Travel costs are too high. Player’s aren’t paid what they are worth, but are paid more than what teams can afford, and fans don’t emotionally invest for fear that they will be burned down the line when everything goes you-know-what up.
I hate to be a killjoy, and I certainly do not celebrate this, but how much longer do we reasonably expect WPS to survive. One year? Three? Does anyone see it hitting a decade? I’m sorry, but I don’t. And when it all crashes down again, where does that leave us?
It leaves us with the W-League. I’m not sure that’s a bad thing, because for what the W-League lacks in exposure, it makes up for in greater stability and long term viability. Instead of trying to create something (WPS) out of nothing, those interested in investing in the women’s game should look to those clubs that are already out there slugging around at the amateur level. If more people put their money there and let it evolve naturally I suspect you would find that, to use a cliché, the cream would rise. You would end up with 10 or so powerful clubs that would be every bit as strong as what WPS has to offer and established in their communities.
When the women’s pro game started to grow in Europe that’s the model that was used. The good Euro sides are in places where there is a demand. They have stayed within theirselves and have not tried to compete with WPS or WUSA for players. I’m sure that if you asked those that manage women’s teams in Europe they would tell you that they fully expect many of the WPS stars to come back to them once the league folds.
If I had to guess, I would suspect that the most powerful women’s pro teams in the world will be in Scandinavia (or maybe England) in 10 years time. That’s despite the fact that, by far, the biggest market for women’s football is in the U.S. and Canada. It doesn’t have to be that way, but for the power to shift to this side of the Atlantic there needs to be a hell of a lot more vision – and trust in the ability of the game to grow on its own.
That’s why I don’t wish WPS to fail, but I’d welcome its demise if it opened the door to doing things right.
The third time’s a charm, right?
They play the Buffalo Flash Saturday for the championship. The Flash and the ‘Caps are both undefeated. The title game is being played at a neutral venue, in Santa Clarita, Ca.
The ‘Caps organization is likely strong enough to enter WPS and make a good run of it. I would argue that a Canadian WPS side would enter as one of the league favourites, as they would be likely to attract a good portion of the Canadian national team (while the USWNT is evenly spread around the other teams). Unfortunately the ‘Caps have long said that they are not interested in WPS. At least right now. As much as I emotionally wish that were different, I can’t argue with the logic behind it.
With the LA Sol gone after year one and St. Louis Athletica joining them before the second year was a quarter done it’s hard to see a bright future for the league. Increasingly, I wonder whether the ‘Caps don’t have the right idea. Maybe the franchise based model of WPS is doomed to failure and the correct way forward for women’s soccer is club based and regionally focused.
We can lament all we want about people not supporting womens' sport. The world is unfair. However, complaining about it isn’t going to put more people into the seats. For the women’s game to take root at a professional level it needs to find a way to be sustainable. The best way to do that is to slowly grow and find a core audience that comes back year after year
That’s where WPS fails. By attempting to sprint in the 100m Olympic Final on steroids before it crawls, the league sets itself up for a constant battle of survival. Travel costs are too high. Player’s aren’t paid what they are worth, but are paid more than what teams can afford, and fans don’t emotionally invest for fear that they will be burned down the line when everything goes you-know-what up.
I hate to be a killjoy, and I certainly do not celebrate this, but how much longer do we reasonably expect WPS to survive. One year? Three? Does anyone see it hitting a decade? I’m sorry, but I don’t. And when it all crashes down again, where does that leave us?
It leaves us with the W-League. I’m not sure that’s a bad thing, because for what the W-League lacks in exposure, it makes up for in greater stability and long term viability. Instead of trying to create something (WPS) out of nothing, those interested in investing in the women’s game should look to those clubs that are already out there slugging around at the amateur level. If more people put their money there and let it evolve naturally I suspect you would find that, to use a cliché, the cream would rise. You would end up with 10 or so powerful clubs that would be every bit as strong as what WPS has to offer and established in their communities.
When the women’s pro game started to grow in Europe that’s the model that was used. The good Euro sides are in places where there is a demand. They have stayed within theirselves and have not tried to compete with WPS or WUSA for players. I’m sure that if you asked those that manage women’s teams in Europe they would tell you that they fully expect many of the WPS stars to come back to them once the league folds.
If I had to guess, I would suspect that the most powerful women’s pro teams in the world will be in Scandinavia (or maybe England) in 10 years time. That’s despite the fact that, by far, the biggest market for women’s football is in the U.S. and Canada. It doesn’t have to be that way, but for the power to shift to this side of the Atlantic there needs to be a hell of a lot more vision – and trust in the ability of the game to grow on its own.
That’s why I don’t wish WPS to fail, but I’d welcome its demise if it opened the door to doing things right.
The third time’s a charm, right?
Thursday, July 29, 2010
NASL expansion
Geez, this will be a lot easier when we're all on the same website...
For now:
Hamilton applies for NASL entry, two groups targeting 2012 for Ottawa entry
We're working on getting Bob Young, owner of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and the man behind the Hamilton bid on tomorrow's It's Called Football.
For now:
Hamilton applies for NASL entry, two groups targeting 2012 for Ottawa entry
We're working on getting Bob Young, owner of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and the man behind the Hamilton bid on tomorrow's It's Called Football.
A mid-summer break
With apologies, there are a few things I need to take care of over the next few days. Therefore I cannot guarantee updates. Regular service should be back by Monday. The podcast is not impacted. I’ll update if things change.
I will be updating my Twitter feed. If you don't already, subscribe to follow me @24thminute
I will be updating my Twitter feed. If you don't already, subscribe to follow me @24thminute
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
It's Called Football - Guest: Marc Weber
Tonight, we'll be joined by Marc Weber, a Whitecaps writer for the Province, to talk about the Residency program there, the Caps keeping a team in NASL and how things are shaping up in their march towards MLS.
We'll also get into Toronto's game versus Montagua, NYRB's imminent 3rd DP signing and Don Garber's latest comments about bringing another team to New York.
We'll also get into Toronto's game versus Montagua, NYRB's imminent 3rd DP signing and Don Garber's latest comments about bringing another team to New York.
Monday, July 26, 2010
It's all in the perspective
It’s the biggest game of the season.
More than one TFC fan has expressed that in regards to tonight’s CONCACAF Champions League match with Motagua. They suggest that winning in the CCL is more important than winning in the league. For many, last year’s loss to Puerto Rico was considered the low point of the season – even worse than losing 5-0 to New York to fall out of the playoff chase.
Some more excitable types claim that TFC “shamed” Canadian soccer by losing to the Islanders. Since Montreal ran to the quarters, TFC should also go deep in the competition was the thought. Such thinking ignores that TFC lost to a team that went to the semi-final the year before while Montreal drew Real Esteli in the preliminary round – by far the easiest touch the Canadian team has drawn in the three editions of the tournament.
So, is tomorrow’s game the most important of the season? So far, likely. However, I’m not sure I agree with the sentiment that CCL success is more important than league success. An appearance in the CCL quarters would not erase the disappointment of TFC failing to make the playoffs for a fourth straight year. Actually, the disappointment would not even be close to being comparable.
After the Islanders tie ended last year it really did feel like the end of the world (or season anyway). But, it didn’t take long for the playoff push to erase those memories. Ideally you’d like to be successful at both competitions (and I’m sure that’s TFC’s goal), but the truth is you don’t run into many Motagua fans on the BigSoccer boards in the off-season. Winning in MLS, beating your rivals, has a more personal touch.
You also have to look beyond the hardcore if you are to put this competition in its full perspective. The sad truth is that of the 20,000 that fill BMO Field week in and week out only about 3-4,000 truly care about the CCL. Maybe another 5-6,000 are even aware of it while the rest aren’t quite sure what to make of it. There is a reason TFC is using Amado Guevara’s face on the marketing of the game – casuals can understand Amado coming back to play. They don’t necessarily understand that winning the tie could set up a visit from Cruz Azul, nor that they should be very excited that Cruz Azul could be at BMO later this season. Chivas USA is more of a draw to the casual fan at BMO than Chivas Mexico is. Really.
Don’t get me wrong. I love the CCL. For me, a soccer geek, this is one of my favourite competitions. I love learning about clubs from Central America and watching to see if the gap can be closed on Mexico. That said, I also want the general sports watching public to be enthralled by TFC and I realize that a deep MLS playoff run will have far more traction than a deep CCL run (if, for no other reason, that the CCL runs over two seasons).
Then there is the fact that the MLS Cup is in Toronto. Close your eyes for a moment and imagine TFC playing in that game. Imagine what that would mean for the sport and how awesome it would be to be in that stadium. Other than maybe winning it, there is nothing the CCL could provide that would even be close (and TFC is far more likely to win the MLS Cup than it is to win the CCL).
Tonight is a very important game. It is one of the most important that will be played this year. However, the only way it’s the most important game is if TFC fails to make the playoffs.
And that would be a disaster of far greater proportions than losing to a good Motagua team would be.
More than one TFC fan has expressed that in regards to tonight’s CONCACAF Champions League match with Motagua. They suggest that winning in the CCL is more important than winning in the league. For many, last year’s loss to Puerto Rico was considered the low point of the season – even worse than losing 5-0 to New York to fall out of the playoff chase.
Some more excitable types claim that TFC “shamed” Canadian soccer by losing to the Islanders. Since Montreal ran to the quarters, TFC should also go deep in the competition was the thought. Such thinking ignores that TFC lost to a team that went to the semi-final the year before while Montreal drew Real Esteli in the preliminary round – by far the easiest touch the Canadian team has drawn in the three editions of the tournament.
So, is tomorrow’s game the most important of the season? So far, likely. However, I’m not sure I agree with the sentiment that CCL success is more important than league success. An appearance in the CCL quarters would not erase the disappointment of TFC failing to make the playoffs for a fourth straight year. Actually, the disappointment would not even be close to being comparable.
After the Islanders tie ended last year it really did feel like the end of the world (or season anyway). But, it didn’t take long for the playoff push to erase those memories. Ideally you’d like to be successful at both competitions (and I’m sure that’s TFC’s goal), but the truth is you don’t run into many Motagua fans on the BigSoccer boards in the off-season. Winning in MLS, beating your rivals, has a more personal touch.
You also have to look beyond the hardcore if you are to put this competition in its full perspective. The sad truth is that of the 20,000 that fill BMO Field week in and week out only about 3-4,000 truly care about the CCL. Maybe another 5-6,000 are even aware of it while the rest aren’t quite sure what to make of it. There is a reason TFC is using Amado Guevara’s face on the marketing of the game – casuals can understand Amado coming back to play. They don’t necessarily understand that winning the tie could set up a visit from Cruz Azul, nor that they should be very excited that Cruz Azul could be at BMO later this season. Chivas USA is more of a draw to the casual fan at BMO than Chivas Mexico is. Really.
Don’t get me wrong. I love the CCL. For me, a soccer geek, this is one of my favourite competitions. I love learning about clubs from Central America and watching to see if the gap can be closed on Mexico. That said, I also want the general sports watching public to be enthralled by TFC and I realize that a deep MLS playoff run will have far more traction than a deep CCL run (if, for no other reason, that the CCL runs over two seasons).
Then there is the fact that the MLS Cup is in Toronto. Close your eyes for a moment and imagine TFC playing in that game. Imagine what that would mean for the sport and how awesome it would be to be in that stadium. Other than maybe winning it, there is nothing the CCL could provide that would even be close (and TFC is far more likely to win the MLS Cup than it is to win the CCL).
Tonight is a very important game. It is one of the most important that will be played this year. However, the only way it’s the most important game is if TFC fails to make the playoffs.
And that would be a disaster of far greater proportions than losing to a good Motagua team would be.
It's Called Football - Guest: Dino Rossi
Today we're joined by the President of Milltown FC, Dino Rossi, as he finds his first year CSL club at the top of the table. As a man who came into this league with the intent of showing a new way of doing things, we'll talk to him about why his model is working, how the CSL is changing its own approaches to development and what lies in the future for the league and Milltown.
We'll also talk about another Toronto draw at home, set up the Champions League game against Motagua and debate if Kansas City's win over Manchester United holds any weight.
We'll also talk about another Toronto draw at home, set up the Champions League game against Motagua and debate if Kansas City's win over Manchester United holds any weight.
MLS strength of schedule
The following is a ranking of MLS teams' strength of schedule remaining. The lower the number, the harder the schedule is.
Each team is ranked one to 16. The total ranking of teams remaining on each club's schedule is added up and divided by the amount of games they have remaining. The number ranking represents the average rank of the teams remaining.
The rankings from hardest to easiest:
Each team is ranked one to 16. The total ranking of teams remaining on each club's schedule is added up and divided by the amount of games they have remaining. The number ranking represents the average rank of the teams remaining.
The rankings from hardest to easiest:
- New York - 7.35
- DC United - 7.50
- Colorado - 7.92
- Chicago and Philly - 8.06
- Dallas - 8.42
- Salt Lake - 8.53
- San Jose - 8.66
- Kansas City - 8.71
- Chivas - 8.73
- Galaxy - 8.75
- Toronto - 9.07
- New England - 9.33
- Columbus - 9.78
- Seattle - 10.07
- Houston - 10.15
Amado is in the house
There was some question of whether Amado Guevara would be making the trip north to play TFC in Tuesday's CONCACAF Champions League game.
He is.
If you don't feel like slugging through a Spanish article, it's a pretty standard account of how Motagua feels it can win, thinks it is coming together as a team quickly (they are in pre-season), feel it's important to score first and think it's great they are playing the second leg at home.
He is.
If you don't feel like slugging through a Spanish article, it's a pretty standard account of how Motagua feels it can win, thinks it is coming together as a team quickly (they are in pre-season), feel it's important to score first and think it's great they are playing the second leg at home.
Sober Second Thoughts: Clichés about half-full glasses
“I had better not get an e-mail talking about the undefeated streak at home, the fortress of BMO. Not a full house; not a win. That’s no fortress.”
That was what was yelled in my direction by one of TFC’s most dedicated supporters moments after the final whistle Saturday. Another late game goal allowed (three weeks running now) had flushed two more points down the toilet against Dallas (it’s also two years in a row that Dallas had pulled a draw back in the game’s closing moments).
Saturday was not a day to celebrate. For the first time all year the players didn’t salute the south end – not even Dan Gargan. Instead they quickly fled down the tunnel and out of sight. There weren’t any boos in the crowd, but that’s likely because most were too exhausted and dejected after spending two hours in the pouring rain and watching it all slip away again.
We all know the positives. It has been a full calendar year since TFC last lost a competitive game at home (against Puerto Rico in the CONCACAF Champions League). If Motagua is held off Tuesday, it will be a full year, period (Real Madrid, Aug. 7, 2009) the next time TFC plays at home (the Bolton game was a draw by any rational observation).
The one year mark is a bit skewed it must be said. Since the Reds had such a front loaded home schedule in 2009, the record is just 14 games (12 in MLS play). Of those 14 games, six have been draws.
What’s more upsetting to most has been the way those draws have come along. The San Jose game at the end of 2009 and Saturday are the most jarring. You never want to give up late goals. You especially don’t want to at home.
The recent form, however, is the most troubling. There was a point this year when BMO was looking like a fortress. But a D-D-D-D-W-D stretch has people on edge.
Personally, I’m not on the edge, but I am close enough to see it. I fully understand the frustration. As a Man City supporter I watched as a string of draws ultimately killed the possibility of Champions League football at Eastlands last year. I look at the rest of MLS now, however, and I realize that Toronto is still in a good position.
It won’t be if it keeps letting two points slip away at home, but right now...
Home/away adjusted final standings projections for July 26
A short week resulted in not a lot of shifting.
East
West
** Automatic playoff
* Wildcard playoff
East
- Columbus - 57**
- New York - 49**
- Toronto - 41*
- Philly - 37
- Chicago - 36
- Kansas City - 30
- New England - 27
- DC United - 21
West
- Galaxy - 68#
- Salt Lake - 49**
- Dallas - 49*
- San Jose - 47*
- Colorado - 44*
- Seattle - 36
- Houston - 32
- Chivas - 28
** Automatic playoff
* Wildcard playoff
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Whitecaps earn draw with Minnesota
In a twist from three days earlier, the Vancouver Whitecaps came hard out of the gate against the NSC Minnesota Stars—and initially, they wound up worse off for their troubles. In the end, their efforts were rewarded, but not to the degree they would have hoped for as they finished with a 1-1 draw.
"It was two points lost," head coach Teitur Thordarson said. "I think we played well, especially in the first half. ... I think we still played well in the second half, but there wasn't the energy and there wasn't the intensity."
Unlike Thursday’s game against Portland where they started slow but came on late in the half and collected the match’s first goal, Vancouver controlled the play early on and created plenty of great chances. Marc Weber of The Province tweeted that it looked like a 3-0 Vancouver victory, and I concurred.
The game changed dramatically in the 28th minute on a counterattack when Johnny Meyongar sent Simone Bracalello through with a perfect long ball and Bracalello beat Jay Nolly with a tremendous strike from about 25 yards out. Energized by the goal, Minnesota began playing better defence and taking away some of Vancouver’s possession. The Whitecaps seemed somewhat stunned by the change in their fortunes and limped into the half.
The first half didn't produce the results for the Whitecaps it did against Portland, but it was a much better effort from Vancouver. Thordarson said he didn't change the pre-game approach, but his team came out a lot stronger.
"We were still focusing on having a go at them," Thordarson said. "We managed better today to keep posesssion in the open field. ... I thought we played extremely well in the first half."
The second half featured less stellar play, but it produced better results for Vancouver. Chances went back and forth, with Martin Nash narrowly missing in the 49th minute and Nolly diving to get one hand on a Bracalello long-range blast. The Whitecaps finally got on the scoreboard in the 67th minute when Marlon James, making his first appearance since May thanks to injury, set up Cornelius Stewart. Stewart fed Nash near the top of the six yard box, and Nash deked a defender, pulled it onto his left foot and beat keeper Matthew VanOekel.
Vancouver poured on the pressure after that, but the Minnesota defence held. Residency products Alex Elliott and Alex Semenets, the latter of whom was making his first-team competitive debut, gave good accounts of themselves as substitutes, but they couldn’t find the net. James narrowly missed in the 80th minute and Takashi Hirano sent a 25-yard free kick just high in the 86th minute. In addition to dominating the possession, the Whitecaps outshot Minnesota 16-7 and had nine corners to the Stars' two, but all the offence came to naught and they finished with only a single point.
Thordarson said he was impressed with his young players' performances.
"These are guys with great talents," he said.
According to Thordarson, the recent moves to trade Ricardo Sanchez and Jonny Steele and release Justin Moose were partly due to a desire to see what he had in his young players.
"Quite a bit, but it's more about trying to get together a roster we think is right to move forward with," he said.
Nash said the roster turnover has been a bit difficult to adjust to personally.
"It's tough," he said. "I've made friends with these guys over the past years."
Nash said he thinks the team has made the adjustment well on the pitch, though, despite the recent lack of results. He chalked part of that up to familiarity with many of the young players through their time in the Residency system and their occasional first-team appearances.
"They're all players who have been around us," he said.
Nash said he was comfortable working with Ethan Gage in central midfield thanks to the youngster's presence with the first team on and off over the past few years.
"Ethan's been kind of in and out for a while, but we know he can do it," Nash said.
The team may have adjusted to their new lineup, but they haven't produced the desired results yet. After a 1-1-2 record on this homestand, they head out on a five-game road trip and won't be back home until August 29. Nash said the recent results may be concerning, but the team's play isn't.
"I thought we had a great start to the game and we had a great first half," he said. "Tonight, we deserved more than a draw. We're playing well, we just have to find a way to win."
[Cross-posted to Sporting Madness]
"It was two points lost," head coach Teitur Thordarson said. "I think we played well, especially in the first half. ... I think we still played well in the second half, but there wasn't the energy and there wasn't the intensity."
Unlike Thursday’s game against Portland where they started slow but came on late in the half and collected the match’s first goal, Vancouver controlled the play early on and created plenty of great chances. Marc Weber of The Province tweeted that it looked like a 3-0 Vancouver victory, and I concurred.
The game changed dramatically in the 28th minute on a counterattack when Johnny Meyongar sent Simone Bracalello through with a perfect long ball and Bracalello beat Jay Nolly with a tremendous strike from about 25 yards out. Energized by the goal, Minnesota began playing better defence and taking away some of Vancouver’s possession. The Whitecaps seemed somewhat stunned by the change in their fortunes and limped into the half.
The first half didn't produce the results for the Whitecaps it did against Portland, but it was a much better effort from Vancouver. Thordarson said he didn't change the pre-game approach, but his team came out a lot stronger.
"We were still focusing on having a go at them," Thordarson said. "We managed better today to keep posesssion in the open field. ... I thought we played extremely well in the first half."
The second half featured less stellar play, but it produced better results for Vancouver. Chances went back and forth, with Martin Nash narrowly missing in the 49th minute and Nolly diving to get one hand on a Bracalello long-range blast. The Whitecaps finally got on the scoreboard in the 67th minute when Marlon James, making his first appearance since May thanks to injury, set up Cornelius Stewart. Stewart fed Nash near the top of the six yard box, and Nash deked a defender, pulled it onto his left foot and beat keeper Matthew VanOekel.
Vancouver poured on the pressure after that, but the Minnesota defence held. Residency products Alex Elliott and Alex Semenets, the latter of whom was making his first-team competitive debut, gave good accounts of themselves as substitutes, but they couldn’t find the net. James narrowly missed in the 80th minute and Takashi Hirano sent a 25-yard free kick just high in the 86th minute. In addition to dominating the possession, the Whitecaps outshot Minnesota 16-7 and had nine corners to the Stars' two, but all the offence came to naught and they finished with only a single point.
Thordarson said he was impressed with his young players' performances.
"These are guys with great talents," he said.
According to Thordarson, the recent moves to trade Ricardo Sanchez and Jonny Steele and release Justin Moose were partly due to a desire to see what he had in his young players.
"Quite a bit, but it's more about trying to get together a roster we think is right to move forward with," he said.
Nash said the roster turnover has been a bit difficult to adjust to personally.
"It's tough," he said. "I've made friends with these guys over the past years."
Nash said he thinks the team has made the adjustment well on the pitch, though, despite the recent lack of results. He chalked part of that up to familiarity with many of the young players through their time in the Residency system and their occasional first-team appearances.
"They're all players who have been around us," he said.
Nash said he was comfortable working with Ethan Gage in central midfield thanks to the youngster's presence with the first team on and off over the past few years.
"Ethan's been kind of in and out for a while, but we know he can do it," Nash said.
The team may have adjusted to their new lineup, but they haven't produced the desired results yet. After a 1-1-2 record on this homestand, they head out on a five-game road trip and won't be back home until August 29. Nash said the recent results may be concerning, but the team's play isn't.
"I thought we had a great start to the game and we had a great first half," he said. "Tonight, we deserved more than a draw. We're playing well, we just have to find a way to win."
[Cross-posted to Sporting Madness]
Vancouver Whitecaps - NSC Minnesota Stars live blog
The weekend of Whitecaps coverage continues here and at Sporting Madness. I'll be live-blogging tonight's clash against the NSC Minnesota Stars. Kickoff is at 10 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Pacific. Here are match previews from Simon Fudge of WhitecapsFC.com and Marc Weber of The Province. Check them out, then join me at 7 for the live blog!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Whitecaps off to W-League Final Four
The Vancouver Whitecaps will be heading to the W-League Final Four for the first time since they hosted the tournament and claimed the championship in 2006. They sealed a berth today with a 2-1 victory in the Western Conference final against the rival Pali Blues in front of 1,712 fans at Swangard Stadium, but it wasn’t an easy one.
Keeper Siobhan Chamberlain turned in a tremendous performance for Vancouver, turning away four shots, including one that went off her and then off the post. She said it was a thrilling experience despite the pressure.
"I enjoyed this one, although it was hard work," she said. "You need a bit of luck sometimes and we got it today."
Pali began with a lot of pressure, but the scoring chances they generated were repelled by the Vancouver defence. Emily Zurrer and Martina Franko stood strong in the middle, while Robyn Gayle and Chelsea Stewart were solid on the wing and Chamberlain made some key stops. Still, Pali easily could have pocketed a couple of goals in the early going if luck had been on their side.
Vancouver broke the game open in the 35th minute when Desiree Scott crossed it across the field to Gayle, who delivered a lovely ball in to Melissa Tancredi. Tancredi made no mistake, heading it home past Pali keeper Chante Sandiford from short range to give Vancouver a 1-0 lead. Six minutes later, Gayle sent in a great free kick for Tancredi, who crossed it to the wide-open Amy Vermeulen. Vermeulen made no mistake, burying the shot from six yards out to put the Whitecaps up 2-0. It looked like they were well on their way to victory.
The momentum shifted after halftime, though. The Blues put on pressure and created several good chances, but they still couldn’t beat Chamberlain. That changed in the 61st minute when Julie Bukh delivered a perfect free kick from 30 yards out to defender Sara Gama, who finished off a superb run with a terrific header that beat Chamberlain and pulled Pali within one.
Both sides continued to go for goal, and they each had their chances. Tancredi delivered a tremendous strike from 25 yards out that Sandiford punched off the bar. The rebound fell for Melanie Booth, who volleyed it wide. Christen Press and Janice Cayman each had chances for Pali, but they couldn’t convert and the match finished 2-1.
Head coach Hubert Busby Jr. said the close game followed a pattern the team's seen all season.
"We always try to make it interesting for the fans," he said with a laugh.
Busby said Pali's three-defender formation caught the Whitecaps by surprise at first, and they weren't prepared for the waves of attackers heading at their goal.
"We tried to make adjustments during the game," he said.
He was particularly impressed with Chamberlain's performance in goal.
"She made some key saves at key moments."
Defender Martina Franko concurred with that assessment.
"She had the game of her season," Franko said. "She just showed leadership and made saves when needed."
It was Tancredi who won the game for Vancouver, though, scoring one goal and setting up the other. Busby said her performance didn't surprise him.
"She's been our MVP," he said. "She's a very experienced player, she knows how to get the goals."
Tancredi said it was a terrific feeling to see off a long-time rival.
"I feel great," she said. "This is a great win against Pali, again. I'm kind of sick of playing them, but it was great."
She said she was worried when they conceded a goal in the second half, though.
"I was kind of afraid because we have kind of a tendency to let teams back in games," she said.
Tancredi attributed Vancouver's eventual success to the decision to keep attacking rather than sitting back and defending.
"We kept pressure, kept going, and it worked for us."
The Final Four starts next week in California. The semifinals will take place Thursday, with the final set for Saturday. The Whitecaps men are back in action tomorrow night at 7 p.m. Pacific against Minnesota; I'll be live-blogging that one so come back then!
[Cross-posted to Sporting Madness]
Keeper Siobhan Chamberlain turned in a tremendous performance for Vancouver, turning away four shots, including one that went off her and then off the post. She said it was a thrilling experience despite the pressure.
"I enjoyed this one, although it was hard work," she said. "You need a bit of luck sometimes and we got it today."
Pali began with a lot of pressure, but the scoring chances they generated were repelled by the Vancouver defence. Emily Zurrer and Martina Franko stood strong in the middle, while Robyn Gayle and Chelsea Stewart were solid on the wing and Chamberlain made some key stops. Still, Pali easily could have pocketed a couple of goals in the early going if luck had been on their side.
Vancouver broke the game open in the 35th minute when Desiree Scott crossed it across the field to Gayle, who delivered a lovely ball in to Melissa Tancredi. Tancredi made no mistake, heading it home past Pali keeper Chante Sandiford from short range to give Vancouver a 1-0 lead. Six minutes later, Gayle sent in a great free kick for Tancredi, who crossed it to the wide-open Amy Vermeulen. Vermeulen made no mistake, burying the shot from six yards out to put the Whitecaps up 2-0. It looked like they were well on their way to victory.
The momentum shifted after halftime, though. The Blues put on pressure and created several good chances, but they still couldn’t beat Chamberlain. That changed in the 61st minute when Julie Bukh delivered a perfect free kick from 30 yards out to defender Sara Gama, who finished off a superb run with a terrific header that beat Chamberlain and pulled Pali within one.
Both sides continued to go for goal, and they each had their chances. Tancredi delivered a tremendous strike from 25 yards out that Sandiford punched off the bar. The rebound fell for Melanie Booth, who volleyed it wide. Christen Press and Janice Cayman each had chances for Pali, but they couldn’t convert and the match finished 2-1.
Head coach Hubert Busby Jr. said the close game followed a pattern the team's seen all season.
"We always try to make it interesting for the fans," he said with a laugh.
Busby said Pali's three-defender formation caught the Whitecaps by surprise at first, and they weren't prepared for the waves of attackers heading at their goal.
"We tried to make adjustments during the game," he said.
He was particularly impressed with Chamberlain's performance in goal.
"She made some key saves at key moments."
Defender Martina Franko concurred with that assessment.
"She had the game of her season," Franko said. "She just showed leadership and made saves when needed."
It was Tancredi who won the game for Vancouver, though, scoring one goal and setting up the other. Busby said her performance didn't surprise him.
"She's been our MVP," he said. "She's a very experienced player, she knows how to get the goals."
Tancredi said it was a terrific feeling to see off a long-time rival.
"I feel great," she said. "This is a great win against Pali, again. I'm kind of sick of playing them, but it was great."
She said she was worried when they conceded a goal in the second half, though.
"I was kind of afraid because we have kind of a tendency to let teams back in games," she said.
Tancredi attributed Vancouver's eventual success to the decision to keep attacking rather than sitting back and defending.
"We kept pressure, kept going, and it worked for us."
The Final Four starts next week in California. The semifinals will take place Thursday, with the final set for Saturday. The Whitecaps men are back in action tomorrow night at 7 p.m. Pacific against Minnesota; I'll be live-blogging that one so come back then!
[Cross-posted to Sporting Madness]
Whitecaps women - Pali Blues live blog
It's time for a bit of different blogging coverage today, as I'll be heading to Swangard Stadium to live blog the Whitecaps' women's team in their W-League Western Conference playoff clash against the Pali Blues. Alan Douglas has a preview of the game and who to watch over at whitecapsfc.com. The game's at 7 p.m. Eastern/4 p.m. Pacific, so come swing by then for the live blog!
Win tickets for today's TFC game
Two tickets for today's game thanks to Gatorade.
TFC ticket giveaway question is: What date did LA galaxy keeper Donovan Ricketts first play at BMO Field and what was the result of the game?
Post answer on gatorade Facebook wall. You must pick tickets up at will call.
TFC ticket giveaway question is: What date did LA galaxy keeper Donovan Ricketts first play at BMO Field and what was the result of the game?
Post answer on gatorade Facebook wall. You must pick tickets up at will call.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Whitecaps fall to Timbers, lose Cascadia Cup
Last night's 2-1 Portland Timbers victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps was an odd game for a variety of reasons. For one thing, Portland had won only one of their last 17 matches at Swangard Stadium and hadn't won there in six years [Prost Amerika]. The victory also allowed Portland to retain the Cascadia Cup [Simon Fudge, WhitecapsFC.com]. Furthermore, the result was probably pretty fair given the overall flow of the game, but it came in a highly unexpected way.
The Timbers dominated the first half of play, but didn't come away with much to show for it. Vancouver had a few early chances as well, but they looked disorganized at the back at times and not terribly dangerous in attack. George Josten really should have opened the scoring for Portland; he had a tremendous chance in the 26th minute that was nullified by an offensive foul, and had another chance in the 29th minute, but drilled a rebound wide from five yards out.
The second half was a different story. The Whitecaps were fired up coming out of the break, and they took the lead six minutes in when Phillipe Davies ran down the right flank and picked out Nizar Khalfan in front, who blasted a tight-angle shot home from close range. It was Davies' first-ever point for the Whitecaps [Marc Weber, The Province] and Khalfan's second goal of the year.
The weirdness continued from there, though. For a while, it looked like Vancouver would take over the game, but momentum abruptly shifted when the ever-dangerous Ryan Pore broke away from the pack. Greg Janicki went after him and brought him down from behind, receiving a red card for his efforts and conceding a penalty. Pore stepped up and clinically drilled it into the bottom-left corner to tie the match; Vancouver keeper Jay Nolly guessed right, but couldn't quite get a hand on it. The call changed the landscape of the game, and it stirred up some controversy.
Whitecaps' captain Martin Nash said after the game he understands the foul being called, but he didn't think it should have been a penalty or an ejection.
"You're going to get that call pretty much all the time, but, for me, I think he was outside the box when it happened," Nash said.
Vancouver head coach Teitur Thordarson said he also didn't agree with the decision to award a penalty.
"I don't think so," he said. "It happened outside the box from where I was standing."
Thordarson said the call knocked the Whitecaps off balance.
"After the penalty, we were a little irritated and lost focus a little bit," he said.
That lost focus proved critical. Only six minutes later, Portland sent a free kick in towards the top of the box. There appeared to be a communication mixup on the defence, causing Nolly to come a long way out for it. He couldn't collect, and the loose ball eventually fell to Timbers' defender Mamadou Danso, who put the winner home.
Nolly took the blame afterwards, saying a goal like that was a tough way to lose.
"I took a bad run at it, I think two or three of us missed it and it was just a scrum ball," he said. "It's just tough to lose like that."
Nolly was particularly disappointed to lose the last second-division Cascadia Cup competition. Vancouver, Portland and Seattle will all compete for the trophy again in MLS next season, but that didn't take the sting out of this one for him.
"We lost the Cascadia Cup at home and it's frustrating," he said. "As a player, you want to win every cup that's out there."
What frustrated Thordarson more than the loss of the cup was a late Bright Dike tackle on Takashi Hirano that only earned a yellow card, although it capped off an evening of tough tackles and rough play.
"I usually do not criticize referees, but there were a lot of things that weren't called," Thordarson said. "That last challenge on Taka was a straight red."
There were positive signs for the Whitecaps, though. Only a few days after shipping out a pair of highly-regarded veteran midfielders in Jonny Steele and Ricardo Sanchez, they didn't appear too much worse for the trade. Nash and Luca Bellisomo continued their strong play in central midfield, with Blake Wagner and Phillipe Davies threatening on the wings. Alex Elliott, Ethan Gage and Justin Moose also appeared impressive in relief. The trade means the Whitecaps' reliance on young players has gone even further, but Thordarson said he isn't too worried about a lack of experience on the bench.
"Those guys who were on the 18-man roster today, we feel that they are good enough," he said. "We could have had a bit more experience out there, but young and fresh is always good."
A pair of young players who have been particularly impressive lately are striker Cornelius Stewart (who left thanks to injury in the 79th minute) and midfielder-turned-striker Nizar Khalfan. Thordarson said he likes the strike-force pairing the two have formed.
"They have been very good together, and very important to our team," Thordarson said. "They help each other out all the time, and hopefully they'll just keep getting better."
The Whitecaps will need them and their other young players to keep getting better quickly, though. Vancouver is still in first place in the NASL Conference, but losses like Thursday night's will be significant setbacks. They don't have a lot of turnaround time, either, as they host Minnesota Sunday night at 7 p.m. Pacific (10 p.m. Eastern). I'll be live-blogging that one here and at Sporting Madness; come join me then!
The Timbers dominated the first half of play, but didn't come away with much to show for it. Vancouver had a few early chances as well, but they looked disorganized at the back at times and not terribly dangerous in attack. George Josten really should have opened the scoring for Portland; he had a tremendous chance in the 26th minute that was nullified by an offensive foul, and had another chance in the 29th minute, but drilled a rebound wide from five yards out.
The second half was a different story. The Whitecaps were fired up coming out of the break, and they took the lead six minutes in when Phillipe Davies ran down the right flank and picked out Nizar Khalfan in front, who blasted a tight-angle shot home from close range. It was Davies' first-ever point for the Whitecaps [Marc Weber, The Province] and Khalfan's second goal of the year.
The weirdness continued from there, though. For a while, it looked like Vancouver would take over the game, but momentum abruptly shifted when the ever-dangerous Ryan Pore broke away from the pack. Greg Janicki went after him and brought him down from behind, receiving a red card for his efforts and conceding a penalty. Pore stepped up and clinically drilled it into the bottom-left corner to tie the match; Vancouver keeper Jay Nolly guessed right, but couldn't quite get a hand on it. The call changed the landscape of the game, and it stirred up some controversy.
Whitecaps' captain Martin Nash said after the game he understands the foul being called, but he didn't think it should have been a penalty or an ejection.
"You're going to get that call pretty much all the time, but, for me, I think he was outside the box when it happened," Nash said.
Vancouver head coach Teitur Thordarson said he also didn't agree with the decision to award a penalty.
"I don't think so," he said. "It happened outside the box from where I was standing."
Thordarson said the call knocked the Whitecaps off balance.
"After the penalty, we were a little irritated and lost focus a little bit," he said.
That lost focus proved critical. Only six minutes later, Portland sent a free kick in towards the top of the box. There appeared to be a communication mixup on the defence, causing Nolly to come a long way out for it. He couldn't collect, and the loose ball eventually fell to Timbers' defender Mamadou Danso, who put the winner home.
Nolly took the blame afterwards, saying a goal like that was a tough way to lose.
"I took a bad run at it, I think two or three of us missed it and it was just a scrum ball," he said. "It's just tough to lose like that."
Nolly was particularly disappointed to lose the last second-division Cascadia Cup competition. Vancouver, Portland and Seattle will all compete for the trophy again in MLS next season, but that didn't take the sting out of this one for him.
"We lost the Cascadia Cup at home and it's frustrating," he said. "As a player, you want to win every cup that's out there."
What frustrated Thordarson more than the loss of the cup was a late Bright Dike tackle on Takashi Hirano that only earned a yellow card, although it capped off an evening of tough tackles and rough play.
"I usually do not criticize referees, but there were a lot of things that weren't called," Thordarson said. "That last challenge on Taka was a straight red."
There were positive signs for the Whitecaps, though. Only a few days after shipping out a pair of highly-regarded veteran midfielders in Jonny Steele and Ricardo Sanchez, they didn't appear too much worse for the trade. Nash and Luca Bellisomo continued their strong play in central midfield, with Blake Wagner and Phillipe Davies threatening on the wings. Alex Elliott, Ethan Gage and Justin Moose also appeared impressive in relief. The trade means the Whitecaps' reliance on young players has gone even further, but Thordarson said he isn't too worried about a lack of experience on the bench.
"Those guys who were on the 18-man roster today, we feel that they are good enough," he said. "We could have had a bit more experience out there, but young and fresh is always good."
A pair of young players who have been particularly impressive lately are striker Cornelius Stewart (who left thanks to injury in the 79th minute) and midfielder-turned-striker Nizar Khalfan. Thordarson said he likes the strike-force pairing the two have formed.
"They have been very good together, and very important to our team," Thordarson said. "They help each other out all the time, and hopefully they'll just keep getting better."
The Whitecaps will need them and their other young players to keep getting better quickly, though. Vancouver is still in first place in the NASL Conference, but losses like Thursday night's will be significant setbacks. They don't have a lot of turnaround time, either, as they host Minnesota Sunday night at 7 p.m. Pacific (10 p.m. Eastern). I'll be live-blogging that one here and at Sporting Madness; come join me then!
It's Called Football - Guest: Sounders writer Dave Clark
Today, we're joined by Dave Clark from Sounders at Heart to talk about the Freddie Ljunberg departure, what it means for the club and where it all went wrong.
We'll also setup Toronto FC's game versus Dallas, discuss Mista's debut and talk about some major changes afoot in USSF Division 2.
All that and you'll find out what happened to Duane on Wednesday night.
NOTE: Our weekly CSL guest will be done on Monday next week.
We'll also setup Toronto FC's game versus Dallas, discuss Mista's debut and talk about some major changes afoot in USSF Division 2.
All that and you'll find out what happened to Duane on Wednesday night.
NOTE: Our weekly CSL guest will be done on Monday next week.
CONCACAF Champions League for Dummies
I'm posting this commercial from TFC TV because it amuses me when Jim Brennan says it would be great to add TFC's name to the list of FIFA Club World Cup winners. You know, beside Barcelona, Manchester United and São Paulo.
Yes, Jim, that would be awesome. But, first we need to make the group stage.
Yes, Jim, that would be awesome. But, first we need to make the group stage.
Mista-mania
Thanks for all of the messages of concern. I'm not dead. Just...well, gotta keep the reputation up. My Facebook says I'm Hunter S Thompson with less talent. Let's just go with that.
Annnnyway. Check out Mista's cross from the Bolton game. Keep in mind he’s in off-season form. One play in a friendly does not mean much, but...promising, eh?
As for the game, the TFC academy drew Bolton 1-1 and then lost on penalties. I never thought I'd see the day when TFC took a game with an EPL side less seriously than said EPL side, but it was what it was. I'm glad I didn't play full value for the tickets, but, then again, the game wasn't all that bad once you got over the fact that you hadn't heard of half the players on your team.
That and I got to see Martin Petrov. Once a blue and all that...
Annnnyway. Check out Mista's cross from the Bolton game. Keep in mind he’s in off-season form. One play in a friendly does not mean much, but...promising, eh?
As for the game, the TFC academy drew Bolton 1-1 and then lost on penalties. I never thought I'd see the day when TFC took a game with an EPL side less seriously than said EPL side, but it was what it was. I'm glad I didn't play full value for the tickets, but, then again, the game wasn't all that bad once you got over the fact that you hadn't heard of half the players on your team.
That and I got to see Martin Petrov. Once a blue and all that...
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