The expected denial

News that Miami officials are backing away from yesterday’s news that they have already been awarded a MLS expansion franchise is hardly surprising. After all, it's bad form to show up your new business partners by spoiling their big announcement.

So Marcelo Claure's "No news yet" comment is, well, not news.

Whether the Spanish story was accurate or not is debatable, but it remains likely that Miami has a team.

One interesting tidbit of the linked story is that MLS apparently indicated to the Miami Herald that a decision was expected by mid-February, which is about a month earlier than has been suggested recently.

DCU improves by subtraction?

One of the biggest surprises of 2008 in MLS was the failure of DC United. In so much as MLS has a "big" club, it's DCU. Yet, when the season ended fans in the U.S. capital were no better off than we Canucks -- we were both watching the playoffs from home.

Today, Kartik Krishnaiyer breaks down some of the problems United faced last year over at Major League Soccer Talk.

Basically, Krishnaiyer argues that DCU lost its way in '08. Rather than relying on underpriced, unknown South American talent DC went for big names like Marcello Gallardo. And it blew up in their face.

Now that Gallardo is headed back to River Plate, DC is forced to once again reconsider itself. Its fans had best hope they take a look back before moving forward.

The Impact of Italy

Montreal Impact players are busy packing their bags today for the team's annual (it seems) trip to Italy. In total, 22 players will make the trip where they "should" play four games against lower level Italian teams.

They return to Montreal Feb 13.

The games are against AC Pistoiese (Serie C1), Feb. 5, VF Colligiana (Serie C2), Feb. 7, USD Fiesole Caldine (Division Eccellenza), Feb. 10, and Prato AC (Serie C2), Feb. 12. Or at least they might be. The Impact press release is careful to say that Montreal "should" be playing these games, leaving one to imagine that they aren't yet confirmed. Regardless, you have to give credit to Montreal for showing the initiative to train year round and to take on a trip like this.

The 22 players making the tip are:

20 - BIELLO, Mauro - M
3 - BRAZ, Adam - D
21 - BRILLANT, Félix - M
10 - BROWN, Roberto - F
23 - DEROUX, Stephen - M
18 - DI LORENZO, Leonardo - M
22 - DJEKANOVIC, Srdjan - GK
14 - DONATELLI, Tony - M
24 - GATTI, Simon - D-M
17 - GJERTSEN, Joey - M-F
8 - GRANDE, Sandro - M
26 - JOQUEVIEL, Cédric - D
1 - JORDAN, Matt - GK
15 - LEDUC, Patrick - M
25 - MAYARD, Pierre-Rudolph - F
16 - PESOLI, Stefano - D
5 - PIZZOLITTO, Nevio - D
9 - PLACENTINO, Rocco - M-F
12 - SEBRANGO, Eduardo - F
6 - SURPRENANT, Alex - D
7 - TESTO, David - M
13 - VITULANO, Mike - D

All aTwitter over Dunivant

Who knew? Danny Dichio is apparently on Twitter. Yep, it's right there on his official site

I don't normally spend much time on official player sites as they don't often offer much insight. That said, the big man's web page ain't half bad. He's fairly regular with his blog updates and even better with Twitter (I hope he isn't updating through his Rogers phone though. We don't have enough cap room to give him a raise to pay for that).

Anyway, this update from Jan. 19 caught my eye:

• Mon 19th Jan: Keeping fit at BMO with a few of the lads, nice to see Todd Dunivant running with us after a bad year with injuries.

Dunivant healthy and training (in Toronto!) with some of the players is potentially good news. TFC fans sometimes forget that he's still around. But, if Dunivant is able to step back in to the line-up he could provide a lot of flexibility (he fits in that "utility player" role that Chris Pozniak filled so well in 2007). He might help with the CB issue. He might even step up to the mid-field to allow Robbo or Kevin Harmse to drop to the backline.

Basically Dunivant may be forgotten, but his return has the potential to be significant. So, hopefully he keeps running with DD and the lads.

The state of the game in T.O.

If you are interested in understanding what the typical North American sports fan thinks of MLS you can do no worse than to listen to the second segment of today's Prime Time Sports on Toronto's The Fan590.

Noted soccer hater Bob McCown was joined by the Globe and Mail's Stephen Brunt, a lover of the game, sports lawyer and TFC season ticket holder Gord Kirke and AOL Canada's James Deacon. The impetus to the conversation was David Beckham's situation at AC Milan, but it ventured off in a more general direction.

If you can get past your opinion of McCown (who is actually fairly reasonable in the conversation...well, he is a bit too dismissive of the talent level of MLS, but overall...) you can see how we soccer geeks are seen by the mainstream in Toronto.

Basically, the popularity of TFC is about the atmosphere and recreating European experiences, in the opinion of the panel. The soccer is secondary. I suspect none of the panel has been at Shoeless Joes, the Dufferin Gate or the Rhino pre or post game. Of course 90 per cent of the crowd at BMO hasn't either.

They do make some valid points. Before domestic soccer truly breaks into the mainstream more knowledgeable fans will need to demand more coverage more often. TV numbers will most certainly need to get a lot better.

Still, as interesting as the conversation was, it still will likely piss off the hardcore a little. It was just a tad bit too dismissive. It's like the mainstream is finally willing to admit that there is legitimate, lasting interest in the stuff that happens over there, but what happens here in our own back yard is strictly temporary -- something the kids and the ex-pats will do until they get bored.

Those of us that are inside this little sub-culture sometimes lose sight of how much more work is needed. We've come a long way. A long, long way. But, there is still a distance to go. The difference between today and, say, 10-years ago is that the momentum finally seems to be on the side of the game. After all, the McCowns of the world won't live forever and us soccer geeks aren’t going anywhere.

Wiz staying pat

K.C. Wiz blog The Back Post has a nice little interview with K.C. technical director Peter Vermes.

Vermes talks in general terms about his hopes for the upcoming season. Although nothing dramatic is revealed, it is interesting to know that the Wiz aren't planning on any significant additions prior to the season.

It runs about 20 minutes and can be listened to in three parts. Part one here, part two there and part three somewhere.

Ruiz goes bye-bye

Fans in Paraguay can now look forward to watching Carlos Ruiz temper tantrums. The 2002 MLS MVP has apparently signed on to a 6-month contract with Club Olimpia

Gatorade containers league-wide are breathing a sigh of relief.

Kill 'em all. Ask questions later

Sportsnet's Ryan Johnston has called out Julian de Guzman for calling out the CSA. Or something like that anyway.

In case you missed it, de Guzman had plenty to say today about the CSA. It's the second time this year he's spoken out against the organization, earlier calling it a "cancer."

Johnston doesn't have a problem with that. Where he takes issue with JDG is in his failure to be more specific. Basically, Johnston wants him to name names. Ideally to call on Dale Mitchell to be fired.

Although I can't say I always agree with Johnston, I do see his point (to a point. de Guzman has been refreshingly candid. It's pretty clear what he's talking about). If a player is going to be this aggressive in his criticism of the CSA, he should at least give individuals a chance to defend themselves. As it stands now, de Guzman is basically taking a scorched earth policy.

It's also reasonable to expect that the players take some responsibility themselves. Mitchell wasn't on the pitch. Some of the failure is on them, no matter how talented they are.

Regardless, it's nice to see the players starting to take a stand (it would have been nice if some had joined the fans in Sept. 2007 by publically supporting the Black Wednesday protest, but that's just a minor complaint...).

Just trust Dobson. Or not.

I like Gerry Dobson. But, his latest column on MLS expansion is just a tad bit over the top. It's almost as though he's been chugging the maple sryup.

Let's review:

First he puts a throwaway line in about Vancouver being a "slam dunk." Huh? It's unclear whether he actually has sources (that don't have the initials B.L.) on that, or whether he's just pulling it out of his, um, elbow. Unless Van City approved that SSS plan that's been talked about for the last 600 years, it's far from a slam dunk. A good chance, maybe (if Portland continues to unravel), but that's about it. Something about playing in a CFL stadium might get in the way.

Then he writes that Ottawa will be in if the city approves his stadium plan. Period. No debate. This is ignoring the reality that Miami is pretty much in already and that there is only room for one more team in 2011 (unless the league decides to name four cities - two in '11 and two in '13. That seems unlikely since it will probably ask for $50 million in the '13 expansion).

There is being positive about the Canadian bids and then there is just being outright wacky. Dobson seems to be basing his position on the fact that lots of media cover MLS in Canada. Unless that media is planning on sponsoring the league too...

Hell, I hope he's right. Two more MLS teams (including one in a city without a current team at any level) would be great news for soccer in Canada. But, I only wish I could be as optimistic as him.

Becks...blah. Just blah

OK, I suppose I should talk about this. Reluctantly. David Beckham is hard to ignore, after all.

Who knows whether he will stay in Italy. I think he probably wants to. All of us have likely been trapped by decisions that we regretted 10 seconds after making them. That's Becks, I suspect. Although MLS isn't as bad as its distracters suggest, it ain't Serie A either.

The thing is selling Beckham would likely be the best thing the Galaxy could do -- especially if they also sell Landon Donovan. That scenario would see a broken team with $1,000,000 in allocation to spend. That buys a lot of depth. Depth wins in MLS.

Of course it would be a blow to the perception of MLS if he walks. Millions of people that don't watch anyway would loudly tell us that they still aren't going to watch. That'll be tough.

Forget him MLS fans. If he comes back, great. If he stays in Italy, good luck to him.

Being Canadian not a black and White issue

In a way it's a classic Canadian soccer argument -- and one that will have little relevance many other places. TFC draft pick O'Brian White lives in Scarborough (or at least his family does), but is he really a Canadian?

According to MLS he is. FIFA would call him Jamaican. I suspect he would consider himself to be from the island as well, but self-identity can be a complicated thing, can't it?

Most media reports about White have called him Canadian -- something that's irritated hardcore Voyageurs to no end. But, should the average TFC fan care?

That depends on whether that fan believes that Toronto has an obligation to develop talent for the Canadian national team. It doesn't. It has a need to develop Canadian talent (something Nana Attakora will hopefully demonstrate in '09), but no professional sports team has an obligation to do anything but win.

Making the best use of its domestic spots is key to Toronto's future success.

So it's difficult to argue that picking White was a bad thing for TFC. He may not work out (that ACL injury is worrisome), but he was the best athlete in the draft that counts as a domestic for TFC. That's all any TFC fan should care about.

As for what to call him? Domestic. Toronto-native. Either work. And neither should insult the sensibilities of the Vs.

Vs want Mitchell out

The Voyageurs are calling for the CSA to fire Dale Mitchell.

In a press release issued tonight, the group said that "(g)iven the extremely poor results, substandard play and lack of leadership in the men's national program...Mitchell should be immediately relieved of his responsibilities."

In any other country this wouldn't be a question. However, in Canada -- where provincial voting blocs rule the day -- nepotism tends to win out over results. Mitchell is from British Columbia. B.C. has a lot of power. You do the math.

The Vs say it best. "Canada's recent results in attempting to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup (zero wins, two draws and four losses in our semi-final qualifying group, for a total of two points out of a possible 18) is unacceptable, especially given the calibre of elite players in the Canadian talent pool."

It likely doesn't matter though. Mitchell will be in charge through to the end of his contract. There simply isn't the will to rock the boat to the point that he would be fired. What's the point anyway, the CSA might argue. It's cheaper and easier to just let him ride it out and bring in a new guy for the '14 cycle.

It probably is cheaper and it definitely is easier. But, that doesn’t make it right.

Mitchell needs to be released to send a message. That message is that Canada won't accept losing on the world stage any longer. There is too much talent here to go to waste. The status quo has never been good enough and it certainly isn't now.

I do believe that there are people in the CSA that do care about the elite game. They share the fan's concerns. Those voices need to stand up and be heard now.

Start planning the trip to South Beach

Maybe. Although the foreign press tends to get all mixed up when it comes to MLS, news today that Barcelona is looking over a draft franchise agreement (link in Spanish) has to be good news to those that are hoping for Miami's return to MLS.

No one wants franchises to fail. All of us with an emotional investment in this league want the expansion teams to add value, not take away. So, if this story is true, I wish Miami well. Seriously. I look forward to March road trips.

But, I have concerns. Not so much with the fact that a franchise failed there already - different sport, but the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche would seem to indicate that you can be successful the second time around. No, my issue is with the affiliation.

Barca Miami. It makes the league look like it can't go it on its own. It needs to be reaffirmed by association with "real" teams. And, as Chivas shows us, it doesn't really work.

The league's structure doesn't allow for a team to be used as a reserve outfit, or even really as an affiliate. So, all an association with Barcelona does is give the big club a chance to sell jerseys in America. It's unclear what benefit that brings to MLS.

However, those worries are for another day. For now -- assuming the story is correct -- what are the positives?

Well, Miami is a very big city and it gets MLS back into the southeast. There is an argument taht can be made that MLS becomes more legitimate each time it gets into a major U.S. market. Also, although they are mostly baseball fans, there is a larger Latin population there that can be tapped into. So, it isn't impossible that the team can find a fan base.

It's likely that Miami will play the majority of its home games in the spring and the fall, so, as I stated above, it could become a desired road trip for many of us northern folk.

All that said, we should probably wait until the league makes an announcement before booking the flights.

July could be Gold in Toronto

CSA officials have confirmed that Canada may play host to group play at this summer's Gold Cup. However, they caution that it's still far from a sure thing.

"We are still discussing the possibility with CONCACAF and can do it from a logistics standpoint," one high ranking official wrote in an e-mail. "Ultimately it is their call. I am confident we can get it, if not in '09, (then) for 2011 (more important strategically as it counts for Confed Cup)."

However another official was less positive.

"I don't think it will happen for 2009," he wrote.

The final decision is in CONCACAF's hands, the first official stressed. He indicated that the confederation is still working out the tournament's structure and that no decision on hosting was likely until after that process is complete.

Canada had long been rumoured as a site for group play in '09. However, it appeared that the tournament was once again destined to be held entirely in the United States. Today's information, coupled with news that BMO Field will be dark during the first two weeks of July (when the group stage takes place), seems to indicate that games in Canada are still a possibility.

40 dark days

From June 6 to July 18 BMO Field will be dark. At least according to the MLS schedule announced today. During the best weather of the year.

It doesn't seem likely, does it? Although we are still a couple weeks away from the Voyageur’s Cup schedule we can make some assumptions. Those two open Saturdays in June (13 and 20) will likely be filled, and it seems highly unlikely that Canada Day will come and go without TFC playing. Expect the V-Cup to be compacted into June, ending on July 1 in Montreal. An international friendly is likely too, possibly on Father's Day.

Even more intriguing is the black period at BMO in July. It's been suggested for some time that Canada will host a Gold Cup group and this schedule today -- the stadium is there to be used -- seems to add some credibility to those rumours. We will be following up on this in the coming days....

About that schedule...

There may still be some changes to the schedule below, but what you see is likely pretty close to what you will get. It's interesting to see such a cold weather heavy home schedule for TFC -- seven of 15 dates are in April or October.

It looks like the league is breaking for the Confederations Cup, but, stupidly, it's game on for the Gold Cup. As Paul Beirne indicated on the RPB forums, Toronto is much more impacted by the CONCACAF Championships than the useless FIFA thing. That said, Toronto has avoided playing on the first week of the Gold Cup, which should lower the amount of players that are away (besides, most TFC Canadians are apt to tell Dale Mitchell to stuff it anyway).

There are a few things to like. The early dates at home should give TFC a boost off the top. Also, if close, closing out with three of four at home will possibly allow the Reds to push into the playoffs on a high. Regardless, it's nice to see a schedule released. It makes the season seem just a little bit closer.

Just 52 days to go...

The 2009 schedule

And here it is:

March
3/21 - Saturday @ Kansas City Wizards 8:30 p.m.
03/28 - Saturday @ Columbus Crew 4:00 p.m.

April
04/04 - Saturday Seattle Sounders FC 3:30 p.m.
04/11 - Saturday FC Dallas 3:30 p.m.
04/19 - Sunday @ FC Dallas 7:00 p.m.
04/22 - Wednesday Chivas USA 7:30 p.m.
04/26 - Sunday Kansas City Wizards TBD

May
05/02 - Saturday Columbus Crew TBD
05/09 - Saturday @ D.C. United 7:30 p.m.
05/16 - Saturday Chicago Fire 3:30 p.m.
05/23 - Saturday New England Revolution 3:30 p.m.
05/30 - Saturday @ Houston Dynamo 8:30 p.m.

June
06/06 - Saturday Los Angeles Galaxy 3:30 p.m.
06/27 - Saturday @ Real Salt Lake 9:30 p.m.

July
07/11 - Saturday @ San Jose Earthquakes 10:30 p.m.
07/18 - Saturday Houston Dynamo 1:00 p.m.
07/25 - Saturday @ Columbus Crew 7:30 p.m.

August
08/01 - Saturday @ New England Revolution
08/09 - Sunday New York Red Bulls 3:00 p.m.
08/15 - Saturday D.C. United 7:00 p.m.
08/22 - Saturday @ Chivas USA 10:30 p.m.
08/29 - Saturday @ Seattle Sounders FC 4:00 p.m.

September
09/05 - Saturday @ Colorado Rapids 10:00 p.m.
09/12 - Saturday Colorado Rapids 3:30 p.m.
09/19 - Saturday @ Los Angeles Galaxy 10:30 p.m.
09/26 - Saturday @ Chicago Fire 8:30 p.m.

October
10/03 - Saturday Real Salt Lake 3:30 p.m.
10/10 - Saturday San Jose Earthquakes 3:30 p.m.
10/17 - Saturday New York Red Bulls 3:30 p.m.
10/24 - Saturday @ New York Red Bulls 7:30 p.m.

Pickin’ your poison

It's been widely suggested that the full MLS schedule will be released today. One thing that fans will be looking at carefully is how the league has dealt with international dates and the Gold Cup.

Interestingly, Paul Beirne dropped this tip yesterday on the Red Patch forums:

Let me just say this about FIFA dates: we supported the league's efforts to have a league wide break on two of the five summer breaks. And then we did the math: we'll lose only 2 of 3 players during that time. The much worse scenario is gold cup where we could lose up to 8 or 9 players.

So we actually told the league we'd support a break during gold cup. So when you see the schedule bear that in mind!

It's unclear which scenario won the day, but it's pretty clear that TFC F.O. was aware of what was what. No one wants a repeat of the Chivas game last September.

Go Brazilian!

Many will have seen this before, but if you haven't -- and you are looking to kill hours at work -- take a peek at the addictive BrazilName web site. The concept is simple. Plug your name into the site and it will tell you what you would be called if you were a Brazilian football star!

I'm Rollundo!

Go here. Don't let your boss catch you.

TFC's roster? Try and guess who is who:

Barra
Nanson
Brennmar
Sson
De rosariaça
Diano
Dunivio
Edwisco
Stefildo
Gabeta
Amadaldo
Hando
Harmsinho
Ibrahão
Marshaça
Roha
Cão
Rosenlandro
Joha
Grildo
Marcildo
Whiteca
Wynnisco Santos

Garber says nice things about Ottawa

I assume anyway. Don Garber's post expansion tours are always feel good affairs so anything that comes out of today's visit to the capital -- his last stop in the pre-expansion tour -- should be ignored, basically.

But isn't Ottawa the bid that just keeps sticking around? It has its own problems (two stadiums in little Ottawa? Really?), but at least it isn't broke (St. Louis, apparently), backed by a politician that is about to go down (*cough*) for sleeping with an 18-year-old boy (Portland), in a previously failed market (Miami) or trying to pass off a temporary plan to play in a CFL stadium as a good thing (Vancouver).

About that stadium in Ottawa. It seems that it might need a tad bit more public money than was first suggested. Shocking. Although I’m not one to instinctively reject the benefits of building stadiums (it’s about value, not money), it’s pretty clear that two stadiums-- which, with the city's CFL bid also looking to build, is the current plan at play -- in the same city, each serving a fairly niche market, is a bit much. Mr. Melnyk needs to get on the phone with Mr. Hunt (of the CFL bid) yesterday and get it figured out. If not, the city might find itself shut out twice.

But, if something can get done...don’t discount the idea of Capital City FC (remember where you heard that name first!). It might even work.

Hume's healthy -- hopefully

When trying to catch up you have to pick and chose what "old" news to re-report. Most has to go to the side. Others have already chimed in. What's the point in adding your dated voice to the pile?

But, news that Canadian international Iain Hume looks good to return to Barnsley by the end of the year must be repeated. Shouted to the heavens even.

If Hume were four inches taller and born with a different passport he'd be in the EPL. As it is, he will always be a fan favourite in the CCC -- the little guy that works his tail off and scores more than a few pretty goals a year. That's an OK life and it's wonderful to know that it's still, seemingly, on track.

(As is, we hope, the MLS homecoming in three to five years... )

It's a small world and all that

Representin' on Tabyana Beach, Roatan Island - Honduras

Not being much of a beach guy -- really, no one wants their holiday ruined by the sight of my fat, pasty ass rumbling up the beach --it wasn't long after this shot was taken for me to make the 500m hike inland to a clichéd "authentic" Honduran restaurant that just happened to be licensed. I swear I wasn't looking for beer. It just found me. Barena. $2 U.S. a bottle. Poured by a pretty, friendly angel who didn't speak a lick of English but knew enough to have a cold one in front of me seconds before I finished the last sip of my previous indulgence.

Not long after sitting down at the bar I was joined by my driver. Although he was likely there to protect his fare -- you don't pay 'till they drop you off at the end of the day. How novel -- he wasn't obvious about it. Instead, he tried to make small talk.

Awkward, awkward small talk that looked like it was about to fade away until he saw the shirt.

At first looking puzzled, then intrigued, he pointed and said one simple word -- "soccer." Actually, it was more like "soccer?" such was his confusion that any tourist dropped off on his island could possibly be wearing a jersey of that kind of football.

It was one of those moments that Carlsberg commercials are made of. Beautiful game, cultures connecting, it's a small world stuff. Almost a bit too perfect, but a wonderful surprise none-the-less -- especially for an anti-tourist, tourist such as myself.

"Yes," I said. "I'm Canadian - from Toronto," as if that somehow explained things. "This is my team, Toronto FC."

Smiling the driver said nothing. So, I grabbed the crest and pulled it out towards him.

"Amado Guevara," I said hopefully.

"Yes, Guevara," he said, although it was not clear if he understood or was just back to humour the tourist mode.

Not wanting my truly authentic moment to end, I continued. "What's the team on the island?" I asked. "Arsenal," he said. "But, not the big one," he added laughing.

"Is that your team, or are you an Olimpia guy?"

That's all it took. The forced smile was genuine now. The excitement legitimate. "You know Olimpia!?"

Suddenly we were going back and forth. He's telling me about his favourite team and I'm talking about mine. Both of us are pretending to know more about the other guy's team than we actually do, but both of us understanding exactly what we were talking about – the spirit of it anyway.

This wasn't two guys meeting on the streets of London to talk about the Champions League. We weren't discussing starting formations for a Chelsea - Man U match-up. Nope, we were in a remote part of Honduras and we were talking about a two year old MLS team and a club that plays in Central America. It was hardly the stuff of Setanta Sports, but that didn't make it any less a part of the wonderful kaleidoscope of the beautiful game, our game, truly the world's game.

It's all connected. From country to country, generation to generation, fan to fan. Every last bit of it. Whether we are at home in our living room, or on a remote beach in the Caribbean Sea, we're always wearing our colours.

And the world is a better place for it.

I'm back

And it's cold...very, very cold

Regular posting will return tomorrow.

DeRoiffic news was worth wait

BELIZE—News finds you in the oddest places sometimes. Opening my e-mail on route from Cozumel to Belize City I learned that the story that I had been chasing for the last month had finally reached its conclusion. DeRo is coming home. Contract details are irrelevant now, all that matters is the pitch and the fact that our favourite son is coming home.

Not just Toronto’s, but Scarborough’s even, DeRo represents that city that most of us that stand in 112 and 113 every week have grown up knowing and loving. Whereas there was a time when the quintessential Torontonian was a guy named Doug or Chuck, who lived in Leaside and played a gritty left-wing, that Toronto left us sometime between building that giant phallic symbol on the lake and Joe Carter blasting one over the right field fence.

Toronto the Good became Toronto the Colourful, a vibrant city that aspired to something. We weren’t always sure what that was, but we knew that it was going to be special. The city that once was in bed by 9 p.m., now was as likely to sway to the sounds of a samba beat to the wee hours of the morning.

Dwayne De Rosario comes from that city. He will represent it better than any other athlete imaginable. And it’s about time because even though the city has changed its sports heroes have not. There hasn’t been a modern athlete vibrant and exciting enough to capture the city’s heart. Vince Carter, for a while, but we all know how that turned out

DeRo will be that athlete. His coming to Toronto is the final piece in the near perfect storm that has allowed TFC to explode into the city’s consciousness. The sport has always had a place in new Toronto, but it has struggled to focus its attention. Not anymore. And, now the star, the local star, comes home to complete the picture.

One free kick is all that it will take. DeRo will bend one in. BMO will explode. And there will never aging be any doubt—Canadians can play this sport too.
April 4 can’t come soon enough....

Nothing black and White about injury

If you listen to most of the noise around finally a Red O’Brian White, you will conclude that it is unlikely that the Toronto-native (To the hardcore Vs...can we agree to just call him a Toronto-native?) will make his BMO debut until July.

However a source close to the player has suggested to The 24th Minute that that estimate might be too conservative by half.

White’s recovery is going better than expected and there are some rumblings that he might be ready to train by the start of the season. He would need a few weeks to get into game shape, but the source suggests that he could be ready by the April 18 match day.

With forward depth one again a question, Toronto fans can only hope that my source right...

90 per cent perfect

ABOUT 40 MILES OFF THE WESTERN COAST OF CUBA—And so far no sign of Mo Johnston , who one must assume, is on a worldwide search for the talent to bring Toronto FC glory. Or maybe he’s just hanging around his cold, empty office in Toronto – hunched over a computer screen, busy playing Football Manager in the hopes of finding an undervalued striker from Panama. Who knows really?

But what we do know is that the “90 per cent” South American that Johnston was hinting about last week on The Soccer Show is more than likely Pablo Vitti. It’s been the scuttlebutt of the Interweb the last few days and The Score’s Kristian Jack has reported it as well.

Vitti’s been a bit of a world traveler of late. Toronto would e his third team of the year if he were to make the move to BMO’s plastic wonderland (meaning that some FIFA rules would need to be bent – MLS’ single entity system might help with that). Part of those travels included a trip to Toronto last season to play TFC in the boring friendly from ‘08 (after watching the Reds take penalties in an effort to win a fake cup, everything was lacking last year...) . So, we know a couple more things – 1) Vitti isn’t likely to take a look at the pitch and go running home to mommy (or San Jose) and 2) – Mo should forget Football Manager and just book friendlies.

We’ll evaluate what his addition would mean after we see a photo of him holding up the strip. We’d speculate, but, well...we’ve been down that road already. We will allow this though: At last Johnston is 90 per cent sure he’s about to land a South American, as opposed to some bloke from Manchester. The price point tens to make a lot more sense the further south of the equator one gets.

Pellerud's new gig

Former Canadian women's soccer coach Even Pellerud has landed on his feet [The Canadian Press via the Edmonton Sun] after leaving the Canadian program last year [Jim Morris, The Canadian Press via ctv.ca]. He's taken a job as the director of women's soccer for Trinidad and Tobago [Mark Pichet, The Trinidad and Tobago Express].

This is an interesting move, to say the least. Leaving Canada certainly seemed like Pellerud's idea rather than something forced on him, which raised the suggestion that he might have something better lined up. I'm not sure that the Trinidad and Tobago job is that, though. Yes, he'll be overseeing all of their women's programs, but Trinidad and Tobago is well behind Canada in women's soccer (their senior side is 41st in the FIFA world rankings, while the Canucks are 11th). Moreover, there isn't a large talent base to work with; the CIA World Factbook estimates the country's population as 1,047,366, or about half the size of Metro Vancouver.

However, Trinidad and Tobago has always punched above its weight on the world soccer stage. Their budget for everything except the men's 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign is around $3.2 million Canadian [The Canadian Press], $800,000 more than Canada spent on their men's team last year. Thus, funding for the women's program is probably at a similar level in Canada and Trinidad and Tobago, and Pellerud might even have more money to work with. That's despite Canada having 33 times the people [CIA World Factbook] and considerably more wealth.

One good reason for that disparity is that CONCACAF President and FIFA Vice-President Jack Warner hails from the country [Wikipedia]. Despite his exalted position at FIFA, Warner remains heavily involved in island politics and is a "special adviser" to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF). His strong endorsement of Pellerud makes it clear that he was at least partially behind the hiring. From the Express:

"TTFF special adviser and FIFA vice-president Jack Warner said his organisation 'hired the number one and best female coach in the world' and that his four-year tenure was part of the local federation's strategic plan for football nationwide.
'It's part of the whole thrust of development of football of the TTFF,' stated the CFU and CONCACAF president."

There's no question that Warner will have thrown a substantial sum of cash at Pellerud for this job, but I'd still be leery of working with him and the TTFF. After all, this is the man who reportedly made 500,000 pounds selling tickets for Trinidad matches at the 2006 World Cup [Andrew Jennings, The Daily Mail] while deliberately understating revenues from that tournament to give less money to the players [Michael Herborn, Play the Game and Lasana Liburd, The Trinidad and Tobago Express]. Despite a judgement in favour of the players by an international arbitration, Warner and the TTFF still apparently haven't paid them any money [Andrew Jennings, Transparency In Sport]. Combine that with the numerous other scandals Warner and the TTFF have been connected to over the years (many of which are detailed in Jennings' excellent book Foul!), and this isn't a job I'd want to take. Hopefully it will work out for Pellerud, but if it doesn't, he might want to be more careful who he deals with in the near future.

(Cross-posted to Out of Left Field).

Don't tell me. Show me.

So, Mo Johnston told the Toronto faithful that he was "90 per cent done signing a South American" on Toronto's the Fan590's Soccer Show Thursday night. One can only speculate as to what his motivation was to say anything at this time.

You see Mo told TFC supporters a lot last year. Whether he did so in an effort to shut them up, or whether he was a victim of things falling through, is anyone's guess (my guess is that he had the best intentions, but...). However, one could also hope that Johnston might have learned a lesson from the failings of last winter and the bad feelings that it inspired.

When Johnston came to TFC it was -- outside of a few Old Firm diehards -- generally seen a positive development by most in the soccer community. Here was a guy that had been in the sport for his whole life and who had credibility with Euro-focused fans in the city. However, things quickly went south last year when Johnston failed to add significant pieces prior to the season. That failure to improve meant that TFC was shorthanded heading into the season and arguably lead to the Reds throwing six points away in the season's first two games (Amado Guevara and others did eventually come in).

There is an old fable that some might be aware of about a boy and a wolf. When it comes to Johnston's dealings with the Toronto media someone might want to read it to Johnston. TFC fans don't want to hear about reinforcements. They want to see them.

Preferably before April.

And then there was four?

“We really want to be in St. Louis, but in order to be here, we have to be sure that every aspect of Jeff Cooper’s bid is solid and one of the weaknesses it has today is that Jeff has not been able to secure the investor who has very deep pockets.

It's warm here in Tampa as I type this (see how I did that), but the news above did not warm my heart (OK, that was a bit weak, but it's been a long day).

Although one always has to view Don Garber statements about expansion as measured kicks in the pants, it can't be reassuring to the folks in St. Louis to hear that today. Maybe Garber said it to try and coax a reluctant investor to make the jump. Or maybe he said it to tell St. Louis fans to get behind the city's USL bid.

But as much as I take little joy in the news that St. Louis might be the next bid to fall, a big part of me wants to yell out "I told you so" (At my root, I'm petty man, really). But, I did tell them so.

St. Louis has deep soccer history, it has stadium plan approved, but it doesn't have a soccer sugar daddy. Until it does, it won't have a MLS team either.

Last Sunday when I handicapped the bids I felt strongly about St. Louis's chances. Today, you have to think that Vancouver just jumped ahead. And Portland. Possibly Ottawa even.

Even though as a Canadian Van City is my preferred option I take little joy in seeing St. Louis fans get screwed around again, however. So, I won't be saying "I told you so." Instead, I'll stick with "I'm sorry."

Whitecaps: Introduction and some roster changes

Hi everyone. Duane's asked me to come on board here, and I'm greatly looking forward to the chance to interact with more Canadian soccer fans. My focus is going to be on the Vancouver Whitecaps, but you may see posts on other soccer topics from me as well.

I figured a brief introduction might be in order. I'm a sports nut in general, but soccer's always been my favourite and I've been writing about it for four or five years now. I've written about the Whitecaps and other soccer teams and issues before for the Langley Times, Out Of Left Field and my own site, Sporting Madness. I'm also the sports editor of the Queen's Journal, and have covered Canadian university soccer there for the last three years. More recently, I've also covered university soccer at The CIS Blog. If you ever want to get in touch with me, just shoot me an e-mail at andrew_bucholtz[at]hotmail.com.

Anyway, enough about me. The Whitecaps have made a bunch of interesting roster moves already this off-season, so it's worth taking a look at them.

Outgoing:

-Jason Jordan: This one perhaps might have been seen coming. Jordan wasn't getting the first-pairing time up front this past season and was relegated to spot duty. He played 867 minutes this year and notched two goals. According to The Province, it looks like he might decide to retire. Jordan will go down as one of the legends of the Whitecaps, though. A local boy who was born in Vancouver and raised in Richmond, he joined the club at 18 [whitecapsfc.com], stayed with them in 2002 instead of jumping to the MLS and won the USL-1 Most Valuable Player award for his 17-goal, 37-point 2005 campaign. He finishes his career as the club leader in assists (45), and also ranks third all-time in goals scored, fifth all-time in games played and seventh all-time in minutes played.

-Alfredo Valente: Like Jordan, Valente was another local boy and Whitecaps lifer. He was born Vancouver and grew up in Burnaby [whitecapsfc.com]. He was drafted back in 1998 and spent 11 seasons with the team, finishing second all-time in assists (38), fourth in games played (271), eighth in minutes (16,948), ninth in goals (35) and fifth in points (108). He's a bit younger (28), so there's a chance he'll catch on with another club. It will be odd to watch the Caps without him making his trademark runs down the wing, though.

-Jeff Clarke: Clarke first joined the Caps in 1997 but only stayed for a year before heading off to Europe. He returned in 2002 and played a key role in midfield (and occasionally on defence). He was the team captain for the last four years as well and was the MVP of the championship game in 2006. He's 31, so it's unclear if he'll give up playing or try and catch on somewhere else.

-Steve Kindel: Midfielder Kindel completes the quadumvirate of long-time Caps leaving. He played 11 seasons with the club in two stints, and finishes second all-time in games played (287) and minutes played (24,009). He also ranks fifth in all-time assists (25), eighth in goals (36) and ninth in points (97).

-Eddy Sebrango: Sebrango might be the biggest loss for the club. He led the team in scoring this past year with 12 goals and was a huge part of the offence. I was very impressed with his play in all the games I caught in person. He's decided to go back to Montreal and play for the Impact, partly to be closer to his kids in Kingston. He is 35, though, so there was always the chance that he'd lose a step even if he did come back to Vancouver. Regardless, Sebrango was the most consistent striker for the Whitecaps this year, so he will leave quite a hole.

Incoming:

-Marlon James: James sounds like a replacement for Sebrango [Marc Weber, The Province]. He led the Malaysian Super League in scoring last year and put up 47 goals in 47 matches in all competition. He plays internationally for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and both current Canadian head coach Dale Mitchell and former head coach Frank Yallop speak highly of him. He's 32, so how long he'll be in peak form is questionable, but then again, Sebrango shone last season at 35. Interestingly, he'll be the second guy from St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the Caps: defender Wesley Charles is also from that country.

-Justin Thompson: Thompson is a good local guy (from North Vancouver). He played 47 matches in central defence [whitecapsfc.com] for the Portland Timbers over the last two seasons and did quite well. He's 27, so he should be around for a few years.

Looking at that list, it seems clear that a youth movement is underway. Both James and Thompson are younger than the leaving players at their positions, and many of the players announced as coming back are also quite young (such as 23-year-old defender Lyle Martin, 25-year-old winger Justin Moose, 23-year-old winger Vicente Arze and 26-year-old goalkeeper Jay Nolly). Head coach Teitur Thordarson told the team's website that he's expecting several players from the residency program to be in the mix for starting spots as well, so we could see a very young Whitecaps squad. I'll have more news on off-season moves as they happen.

Draft thoughts and 24th Minute news

As I've stated many times in this space, the MLS draft is not really all that useful. It is miles away from being as important as the drafts in basketball, hockey and football. Baseball is the closest comparison, which teams picking prospects that are years away.

So, with that in mind it was probably a bite naive to think that Mo Johnston was going to be able to use yesterday's picks to acquire much assistance for 2009.

The experts suggest that Toronto landed three excellent prospects. Time will tell. O'Brian White, certainly, has use as a domestic forward. Although Sam Cronin plays a position TFC already seems set in -- and is an international -- it is thought by some that he will be good enough to be a cover player/spot starter in 2009. The keeper, Stefan Frei, unexpectedly fell into Toronto's lap and, as a Generation Adidas player, will help with the cap in the back-up role (I can't see how this is anything but bad news for Brian Edwards).

But, the truth is we are years away from knowing if this was a good draft. My initial reaction was frustration that Johnston did not spin the picks into something that could be of use immediately, but it's quite possible that there was nothing out there.

So, we'll see.

In other news, The 24th Minute is flying to Tampa tomorrow! From there, it will travel onto Belize, Grand Cayman, Mexico and Honduras. It returns to Toronto January 25. Although it is bringing its laptop and has purchased a data plan to make use of that wonderful technology of Wi-Fi, you might see a slight reduction of posts until its return to the snow. There will be some posts, daily even, but maybe not the same amount as now.

St. Louis still not in

At the dawn of today there had to be at least one St. Louis supporter that thought that this just might be the day that they finally got a team. After all, the draft was in town. A national TV audience available. Lot's of loud supporters were in the audience. You can understand that the league might not want to outshine the college kids getting drafted (God knows this will be the highlight of the year for most), but still...

It would have been perfect.

So, even though they knew that no announcement was coming today, St. Louis backers have to be a little disappointed now. And worried.

One thing Don Garber did do this week is take another tour of the potential facilities in St. Louis. That might be nothing, or it could be a sign that the league still has concerns. There has to be something MLS doesn't like about Jeff Cooper and the bid because this is the third attempt to get in by the city, including in 2010 when they had an approved a stadium plan, allegedly the key to securing a MLS franchise. As the St. Louis Dispatch pointed out today in a column by Bernie Miklasz, that has to piss the masses off a little:

Don't get me wrong; Philadelphia is an important addition to the MLS. But the Philadelphia group was able to talk its way ahead of St. Louis by promising a publicly financed venue. As of now, Philly is still trying to arrange that financing. There's no stadium. Not yet, anyway. And if Miami receives a team, organizers there are proposing to play home games at a college football stadium, on artificial turf.

Also irritating must be the need to wait another few weeks. There is a question of what exactly waiting to March is going to accomplish (unless it's to see what happens with Portland's stadium plan, which might very well be what's happening).

Maybe it doesn't mean anything that Garber didn't take advantage of the location of today's draft to create a feel good hometown story. And maybe it does.

Goats may be rebuilding

Chivas USA is potentially losing two big parts of their midfield -- Sacha Kljestan has likely outgrown MLS and appears headed to Celtic (hopefully not to the same fate as Mo Edu) and Francisco Mendoza is headed home to the Mothership to play for the original Goats.

It's expected that Kljestan will nab Chivas about $3.5 million. MLS will allow them to use $500,000 on acquiring players. It's unclear what, if any, transfer fee will be paid for Mendoza.

It will be tough to replace the two players before the start of the season. Chivas could find itself in a bit of a rebuilding mode heading into 2009.

Atlanta out

It's hardly shocking -- I rated the bid at having a 10 per cent chance of success earlier this week -- but Atlanta has pulled out of the 2011 expansion race. They say they will be back in 2013.

Considering that Ottawa has already dropped the 2013 bomb in interviews it's pretty clear MLS isn't stopping at 18 -- no matter how much some random poster on BigSoccer tries to tell you that FIFA will stop them.

As stated, the bid was a non-starter. Hopefully Atlanta will come back with a better stadium plan in the next round.

Five cities remain. Interestingly, the linked article suggests that Miami and Vancouver are the favourites. It's unclear where the author is drawing that opinion from, but...

Draft-a-mania: Where's my hyperbole. I want hyperbole

It's 12:30 and...nothing. After spending the last two hours refreshing every MLS-focused soccer blog on earth, it's time to take a wee break until I kick off the live blogging at 1:30 p.m.

It's always an interesting study to listen to mainstream Toronto sports programming on big MLS news days. Even though there are 20,000 people at BMO every week I've yet to hear one word about the draft (outside of a brief mention in the updates) on the Fan590 this morning. Nothing. Not that I'm shocked. It will take 10 more years of success before traditional media starts to figure out that the Toronto of 2009 is a lot different than the Toronto of 1959, or even 1989.

(it will also take better TV numbers, but that's a different topic).

No one (that's rational, anyway) expects TFC coverage to match the Leafs. Or the Raptors. Nor, the Blue Jays. But, numbers suggest it should come in a little closer to the Argos than it currently does.

Oh well, I suppose the indifference opens up doors for ne'er-do-well's such as myself.

Still, I'm currently listening to a debate on my radio about the 2009 NHL draft. That's in June, you know...

It would be nice if they threw us a bone every so often.

MLS gives slack jawed Canucks chance to watch draft

Minutes ago:

Toronto FC announced that the team’s official website, www.torontofc.ca will be broadcasting the 2009 MLS SuperDraft exclusively in Canada via the website. This year’s Superdraft is slated for Thursday, January 15 and will be held at the Saint Louis Convention Center in St.Louis. The first round will be aired live on ESPN2 beginning at 2 p.m. ET. Torontofc.ca will stream the SuperDraft on TFC TV; viewers should just follow the link to be connected live. Toronto FC is slated to have three picks in the 1st round of the SuperDraft, 2nd, 4th, and 13th. The entire Draft will last four rounds, Toronto will choose in the 3rd round.

Draft-a-mania: It's 11 a.m., do you know where Mo Johnston is?

No news yet, but the wheels are spinning...

3rd degree has this:

Seattle has “put the for sale sign in the window” as someone put it to me last night. They want to trade down. I’ve been told, which makes it hearsay, that TFC has an offer on the table of their 4th and 13th pick and Seattle is telling everyone to beat that offer if you want in.

So, something has to be on the go here. I expect that we will see action at about 1:30 p.m., which is when I'll go live with the chat. Speaking of chats, MLSDraft.net has its up already. At the risk of driving traffic away from here, he's talking about posting photos of player’s girlfriends. There is no reason you can't be both places...

For those not aware, here is the drafting order. For now:


2009 MLS SuperDraft Selection Order

1st ROUND:
1. Seattle Sounders FC
2. Toronto FC (from San Jose)
3. Los Angeles Galaxy
4. Toronto FC
5. FC Dallas
6. D.C. United
7. D.C. United (from Colorado)
8. Kansas City Wizards
9. Chivas USA
10. New England Revolution
11. New York Red Bulls (from FC Dallas, San Jose, Houston)
12. Real Salt Lake
13. Toronto FC (from Chicago)
14. FC Dallas
15. New England Revolution (from Columbus)

2nd ROUND:
16. Seattle Sounders FC
17. San Jose Earthquakes
18. New York Red Bulls (from FC Dallas, Los Angeles)
19. Chivas USA (from Toronto)
20. Colorado Rapids (from FC Dallas)
21. D.C. United
22. Kansas City Wizards (from Colorado)
23. Kansas City Wizards
24. New England Revolution (from Los Angeles, Chivas USA)
25. New England Revolution
26. D.C. United (from Houston)
27. FC Dallas (from Salt Lake)
28. Chicago Fire
29. New York Red Bulls
30. Columbus Crew

3rd ROUND:
31. Seattle Sounders FC
32. San Jose Earthquakes
33. Los Angeles Galaxy
34. Toronto FC
35. Los Angeles Galaxy (from Colorado, Dallas)
36. D.C. United
37. Colorado Rapids
38. New England Revolution (from Kansas City)
39. Toronto FC (from Dallas, Chivas USA)
40. New England Revolution
41. Houston Dynamo
42. Kansas City Wizards (from Salt Lake)
43. Chicago Fire
44. New York Red Bulls
45. Columbus Crew

4th ROUND:
46. Seattle Sounders FC
47. Colorado Rapids (from San Jose)
48. Los Angeles Galaxy
49. Los Angeles Galaxy (from Toronto)
50. Kansas City Wizards (from Dallas) $
51. Colorado Rapids (from D.C. United)
52. Chicago Fire (from Colorado)
53. Colorado (from Kansas City)
54. Real Salt Lake (from Chivas USA)
55. New England Revolution
56. Houston Dynamo
57. Real Salt Lake
58. Chicago Fire
59. Colorado Rapids (from New York Red Bull)
60. Columbus Crew

LIVE! blogging

We are going to go live in this space at 1:30 p.m. EST...

Draft-a-mania: Your 10 a.m. report

Morning...

Well, it's here. The draft may be of debatable importance, but it is the first real piece of business for MLS each year. It's kind of like the first day of spring in Canada -- a nice symbolic milestone for those desperate for the nice weather/new season, but don't put the parka away just yet.

As mentioned last night, we will be updating hourly today and, hopefully, will be live blogging during the draft. I say hopefully because at this time we're not sure how we're going to see the coverage. TFC big cheese Paul Beirne informed us obsessed geeks big fans this morning that the webcast of the event is currently not available, in Canada but that the team is working with the league and ESPN to arrange coverage on Torontofc.ca. I'm going to start searching for P2P options now as a back-up.

There hasn't been any action yet, but there has been lots of talk. However, it looks like Trader Mo is no longer the prettiest girl at the dance:

It sounds as though Sigi Schmid and Seattle are stealing Mo Johnston's thunder a bit heading into the draft. As you have known for a while, Toronto FC has been looking to shop the No. 2 and No. 4 picks in the draft, but now that Seattle appears to have decided to try and shop the No. 1 pick, the whole game has changed.

More in an hour (immediately if TFC news breaks), but in the meantime have a look at The Offside Rules draft BINGO! card. I'm sure there is a drinking game in there.

Blanco on the move again

Cuauhtemoc Blanco is so good that he needs three teams. Nearing the end of a loan spell at Santos, Blanco now appears ready to join Puebla as that team fights relegation (please don't ask me to explain Mexican promotion and relegation. I believe there is a degree granting program at the University of South Texas that studies it...).

Although it was always unlikely that Blanco would suit up for Santo against Montreal in the CONCACAF Champions League, this clinches it. He would return to the Fire March 15.

If the loan deal goes through the Mexican league would be breaking its own rules which state that a player can play for no more than two teams in a single season. Blanco has always been special though...

These numbers are drafty

At the risk of offending the draft geeks, this little exercise tomorrow is of, at best, debatable importance. Outside of the first few picks, the chances of landing a contributing player for 2009 is very slim.

Last year there were 56 players picked in the regular draft (the number will increase to 60 in 2009). On average, a drafted player appeared in 5.21 games last season, with the total class scoring 16 goals (six of them by two players). By round the average appearances are as follows: First 9.2, second 4.78, third 5.57 and fourth 1.28.

There is some evidence that some GMs do more with the draft than others. But, the difference is minimal and there is little to suggest that picking up 23-year-old college grads is the way to build a football team.

Here is a breakdown of the 2008 draft (appearances, goals) -

Round one

• KC – Chance Myers – 10 – 0
• FCD – Brek Shea – 2 – 0
• SLC – Tony Beltran – 15 – 0
• LAG – Sean Franklin – 27 – 0
• COL – Ciaran O'Brien – 1 – 0
• CBS – Andy Iro – 18 – 1
• CHI – Patrick Nyarko – 9 – 1
• TOR –Julius James – 13 – 1
• TOR – Pat Phelan – 11 -0
• KC - Roger Espinoza – 22 – 1
• CHI - Dominic Cervi – GK 0 -0
• NER - Rob Valentino – 0 -0
• SLC - David Horst - 1 -0

Round two

• SJE - Shea Salinas – 21 -2
• NYC - Eric Brunner – 0 – 0
• SLC - Alex Nimo – 0 -0
• NER - Michael Videira – 0 -0
• FCD - Eric Avila – 12 – 0
• CBS - George Josten – 0 -0
• LAG - Ely Allen – 12 -1
• CBS - Ricardo Pierre-Louis – 0 -0
• KCW - Yomby William – 0 – 0
• DCU - Andrew Jacobson – 0 – 0
• KCW - Jonathan Leathers – 15 – 0
• CHI - Peter Lowry – 0 – 0
• NER - Joe Germanese 1 – 0
• TOR - Brian Edwards – GK – 6

Round three

• LAG - Julian Valentin – 1 -0
• TOR - Mike Zaher – 3 -0
• CBS - Ryan Miller – 0 – 0
• NYC - Luke Sassano – 18 -0
• DCU - Ryan Cordeiro – 7 – 0
• LAG - Matt Allen – 0 -0
• TOR - Joseph Lapira 0 -0
• COL - Adrian Chevannes 0 – 0
• SLC - Brennan Tennelle 0 – 0
• FCD - Dwight Barnet 0 -0
• KCW – Matt Marquess 5 – 0
• CHI - Stephen King – 21 -2
• NER - Matt Britner – 0 – 0
• HOU - Geoff Cameron – 23 – 1

Round four

• CUSA - Keith Savage – 6 – 0
• NYC - David Roth 0 – 0
• FCD - Jamil Roberts 1 -0
• LAG - Brandon McDonald 16 – 1
• COL - Brian Grazier 0 – 0
• CBS – Steven Lenhart 10 -4
• COL - Scott Campbell 0 -0
• FCD - Ben Nason 0 – 0
• LAG - Matt Hatzke – 0 – 0
• DCU - Tony Schmitz 0 – 0
• KCW - Rauwshan McKenzie - 0 -0
• CHI - Austin Washington 1 -0
• NER - Spencer Wadsworth 0 -0
• HOU - Jeremy Barlow – 0 -0

Draft chat tomorrow

MLSDraft.net's Sean Keay has somehow managed to get a press pass for the MLS draft (at least I think he has one, he might just be crashing) and will be running a live chat room during the draft on his site.

Readers can expect it to stay fairly irreverent.

Here, I will be updating hourly until the draft starts and immediately if any TFC news breaks. During the draft I will live blog. More details tomorrow...

Some Draft Eve thoughts

Those readers that have a deep understanding of MLS rules are going to have to be patient for a moment. There is something that newer fans should be aware of when it comes to the draft. There are two types of players available. First, there are regular college seniors that are hoping to get a shot at filling low level depth positions on MLS rosters while playing for peanuts. Most of the draft is made up of these future school teachers and Rochester Rhinos. Then there are the Generation Adidas players.

GA players are typically younger than the rest of the draft class and, for a variety of reasons, very much in demand. These are the select few that have a chance to be real impact players in the league. GA players don't count against the cap and are counted as development players. Additioinaly, international status does not factor. So, when you're a team like Toronto that is tight against the cap and that already has a ton of international players, GA players are very, very valuable. They are almost free!

Once you understand that you can start to theorize on what TFC's plan B is (plan A is still very much to trade the picks for established MLS players, preferably defenders). If there are no worthwhile trades available, Mo Johnston will likely go after a GA player with each of his top picks(It's pretty clear that Toronto will select O'Brian White No. 13 if he's there. There are a couple that are interesting.

The big CB Omar Gonzalez and GK Stefan Frei* are likely the best fit in T.O. Gonzalez because he fills a need for the Reds at fullback, and because there are several teams that are still after the big man. Toronto could pick up his rights and keep trying to work a deal. As a GA keeper, Frei could be a player Toronto looks to keep. Although there was nothing particularly wrong with Brian Edwards first season in MLS, it's hard to ignore that he takes a senior international roster spot. There is no delicate way to put this...that's idiotic. The back-up keeper should ideally be a domestic, but a GA player will work in a pinch.

Again, this is plan B. Toronto wants an established player or two. But, if the Reds end up having to go back to college, expect them to go the GA route.

*Besides, the keeper position at TFC is the Spinal Tap drummer of MLS...

Canada - a little late to the game, but getting there...

Avram at Some guys took on the quintessential football question the other day – club versus country. Although it’s a debate that has raged for generations it’s not something that the hardcore Canadian fan has really had to deal with up to now. We were too busy dreaming of having club teams to cheer for, or hoping that we wouldn’t lose the ones we had, to really get into it.

But that seems to be changing. The two USL teams are as successful as they have been at any time (with Vancouver still very much in the MLS expansion race) and TFC’s popularity has been nothing short of miraculous (long time fans still stand back and shake their head in wonder from time to time – where the hell did the Red Patch Boys come from anyway?).

A couple things have brought this debate to the forefront now. First is the status of O’Brian White, who is a domestic for TFC, but represents Jamaica internationally. That’s because he’s Jamaican, having lived there for most of his life before moving to Toronto for a couple years in high school. Some Voyageur types are getting their knickers in a knot over people referring to White as “Canadian,” even though it’s the simplest way to describe his potential status to Toronto in MLS. To these fans it’s an affront on their sensitivities to hear White referred to as a Canuck – and it likely reaffirms some of their worst fears about Toronto as a developer of Canadian talent.

Meanwhile many newer TFC fans couldn’t give a rat’s tush where White plays internationally. They just want to see TFC land the best prospects, regardless of where they come from (putting aside the fact that what makes White most useful to TFC is his status as a domestic). Although it isn’t the traditional club/country debate it does touch on many of the emotions inherent in it...with a unique Canuck spin.

Also triggering the debate is the Montreal Impact’s CONCACAF Champions League run. Flashback pre-TFC and it wouldn’t really be a question that most Canadian soccer fans would be cheering for the Impact in February. However, it’s not so simple anymore. Battles have taken place on the pitch and off that make it difficult for Toronto supporters to yell rah-rah-rah for the Impact. Logically the Red can understand that it would be good for the sport in this country if Montreal was to win another couple games. Logic and football don’t often mix.

Last September I was unable to attend the Canada – Honduras game in Montreal. Although disappointed, I knew that it would allow me to take in the TFC game that day in Toronto. Standing in BMO that day I can’t say that I felt any less of a Canadian soccer fan. And it didn’t upset me that there were more Canadians tuned into that game than would be for the nats later that day. Actually, it reassured me a little – maybe we’re growing up a little as a football nation (something that will be necessary before we really see big support for the national team).

There was a time when I scoffed at those that said club over country. Although I’d still give up Toronto success to see Canada make the World Cup it’s no longer as clear a choice. I get club over country now. And I respect it.

V-Cup to end on "Moving day"

Although we are still about eight weeks away from knowing for sure, rumours are flying that the 2009 Voyageur’s Cup will play the final game on July 1 in Montreal.

As holders, the Impact host the last game. Toronto is expected to be the opponent (technically because of their second place finish in 2008, realistically because that's the most attractive way to end the competition).

The entire competition is expected to shift forward to accommodate the earlier start of the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League (which is being pushed forward to accommodate CONCACAF World Cup qualifying).

If the rumours are true you can expect a crowd of more than 1,000 to make the trip from Toronto.

Rapids F.O. discovers 2001

It's one thing for me to launch The 24th Minute on Blogger. But, do you not think the "official blog" of the Colorado Rapids should maybe aspire for something a little more something...

And that's putting aside the fact that official blogs are usually about as interesting as reading press releases. Which is what they are. Leave the blogging to the amateurs.

Give them to Mo. He'll take anything.

In a draft class that is quickly slipping in reputation, reports are surfacing that TFC may be looking to add more first round picks. There is little evidence that Toronto has ay ability to actually use the picks, but, well, Mo Johnston did pick Jozy Altidore and Mo Edu.

As stated, this draft class - and particularly the Generation Adidas class -- is not impressing at the combine.

Compared to 2007 this one is not as deep, not as much talent here. It appears that a lot of players aren’t fit and they show a surprising lack of bite to their game. So, no, I do not agree that there is a deep pool this year..Generation Adidas has been largely disappointing, there might be a sense of entitlement here.

That's an unidentified MLS scout interviewed by Dave Clark over at Sounder at Heart. With that in mind then rumours that Seattle will be willing to take a pass on the top selection make sense.

About the only reason one can argue that TFC should seek out No. 1 is if they have evidence that they really want O’Brian White and they've caught wind that someone else is going to grab him. Actually, check that. White's not worth that much. Unless no one will give Johnston anything more valuable for the No. 2 and 4 picks.

During the season you could forgive Johnston for stockpiling the picks. An argument can be made that they were assets that could be flipped into contributing players for 2009. The next couple days will be telling. We'll find out just how wise that strategy was.

Just 20 days to camp opens. Still no signings. Still no sign of the "vacationing" DeRo. Just sayin'.

Don't stop believing Joey...

So long as there isn't any snow on the roof, and it doesn't snow 48-hours before the game, Montreal fans know that the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League are set for The Big-O.



It appears that the Impact are pretty confident about those ticket prices. The $50/ticket that Montréal is looking for represents about $50 more than some fan paid to go to every game last year. The question in Montréal has always been just how much are they papering the house. Guess we'll find out.

RIP Pokey Rollins - 2002-2009

Please spare a moment thought today for Duane’s old desktop. After several years of dedicated service (pushed to the max that year in Saskatchewan) “pokey” passed away quietly yesterday at about 1 p.m.

A private memorial service will take place later this week. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to The 24th Minute Toonie Project (still 96 spots left!).

The Rollins family would also like to welcome its newest member. Lappy joined the team at about 9 p.m. last night and is currently being set-up. Once that process is complete regular posting will resume at The 24th Minute.

Handicapping the race

With less than two months (and possibly -- although unlikely -- less than a week) to go before MLS announces the location of its next two teams, let's take a look at where the bids rank.

This in an evaluation of how I think MLS will act, based on the information that's out there. It's not my opinion on what I think is right, nor is it my totally self-centred preference (do you really need to ask what that is?).

Ranked from most likely to happen to least likely

1 - Miami (chance of success - 95%)

If you've been reading this space you know that I'm not a big fan of this bid. However, in the current economic downturn, MLS has to like the big Euro money behind it. It's unclear how much stock MLS puts in the affiliation with Barcelona, but SUM might not want to piss off the club. You don't have to be a conspiracy nut to understand that the league wants to foster good working relations with big European teams and saying no to their requests to play in MLS likely isn't a good way to do that. Lastly, the media noise coming out of South Florida isn't so much positive as it is assuming. Why are the journalists so confident that it's a sure thing? The noise has to be coming from somewhere. So, although it's a big mistake (hope I'm wrong, but...) I fully expect Barcelona-Miami to join the league -- likely in 2010.

2 - St. Louis (chance of success - 85%)

Everything is in place for St. Louis to finally join the league. It has a strong soccer history, fits nicely into a geographical footprint and, most importantly, has the soccer specific stadium plans approved and ready to go. Local interests insist that the money is there this time and so far there hasn't been anything to suggest otherwise (although there hasn't been anything to confirm that either). If Jeff Cooper's group has the coin, St. Louis will have a team.

3 - Vancouver (chance of success - 66%)

It's the stadium, stupid. Also, the conservative, anti-sport attitude of the Canadian business community likely isn't helping either (what money they were going to spend on non-puckhead sport is probably tied up in that little ski jumping/bobsledding tournament scheduled for 13 months from now). There are positives. The stadium plan is approved and the soccer culture is there. Also, we don't know if MLS has had any success in rounding up more national money in Canada. If it has, the Canuck bids get a boost. Still, it seems likely that Vancouver will be given bridesmaid status this time and told to come back when the SSS situation is figured out.

4 - Portland (chance of success - 65%)

Portland and Vancouver are similar bids and both seem destined to become front runners for 2013, rather than players in 2011. I rank Portland slightly below Vancouver only because an approved bad stadium plan is better than an unapproved mediocre stadium plan. Despite what PDX backers will argue, approval for the stadium re-fit/new AAA baseball park is far from a sure thing. Portland undoubtedly has great fans and would probably go ga-ga over MLS. But, it's unclear whether MLS gives a you know what about potential fan support. Certainly, if it does, it's the least important factor in an expansion bid.

5 - No team awarded (chance of success - 33%)

Although no one is talking about this possibility the struggles in Philadelphia and Montreal's resistance to paying the full $40-million could be evidence of a trend MLS will look to avoid. Although I don't think the league will shelve expansion, I don't discount the possibility either.

6 - Ottawa (chance of success - 25%)

I think it's clear that Ottawa is in this race as an effort to increase its profile for 2013. Eugene Melnyk admitted as much to an Ottawa reporter last month. There is a lack of urgency to the bid (no work was done during December because Melnyk was organizing the world u-20 hockey championship) that screams "we know we can't win...now." There is one way that I could see Ottawa getting a team in this round. If a couple of the other bids are in worse economic shape than we realize then MLS could look to cash the guaranteed cheque. Melynk has been clear that he'll pay what's asked.

7 - Atlanta (chance of success - 10%)

This bid is all but invisible. They still don't have a viable stadium plan in play and there is next to no hype around it. The city's USL team, the Silverbacks, have folded up the tent for next year too. The team is not going to operate in 2009 -- that's hardly good news for the MLS bid. At best this is a 2013 bid. At worse, it's an after thought.

Oh my, Omar

Omar Gonzalez- This guy looks VERY slow. Yes, he's big as can be, but I can't help but think he will get torched in MLS.

That's Ives in his day one evaluation of the MLS combine. It seems that the man that is supposed to help land TFC its very own Canuck CB might, well, suck. Let's hope it's nerves.

In a league where the draft is becoming increasingly less important you have to wonder what real value the combine still has. It's artificial and any MLS staff that hasn't scouted these kids to death already probably is incompetent and incapable of seeing talent anyway. So, why bother?

I suppose it does offer the small fraternity of MLS managers to suntan network for a couple days prior to the draft itself. Although they would probably be better off watching Brazilian Série B action, I suppose that's something.

Note: You still have two days to show Ives some love at the Weblog Awards.

Van City puts dress on pig

Renovations to Vancouver's BC Place have been approved by the British Columbia provincial government. It's estimated that the re-fit will extend the life of the stadium as much as another 50-years and that it will cost $365-million CDN. The stadium was originally built in 1983.

This in an Olympic motivated renovation as the 2010 opening, closing ceremonies and nightly medal presentations (have I mentioned how pathetic it is that VANOC and the IOC are charging people to see the medal presentations. They should either be at the event, or in a public square like in Calgary...) will be held in the facility.

The Whitecaps are also hanging their MLS dreams on the project. It's seems like a tenuous idea.

There are two main considerations MLS looks at when awarding a expansion team -- strength of ownership and stadium plans. Although Vancouver has a solid ownership group, this stadium plan is a dog, no matter how much you try and pretty it up. About the only positive thing you can say about it is that it's now guaranteed. It's a less than desirable facility (to say the least), but at least MLS knows that it's going to be there and won't be railroaded by some NIMBY activist that knows what's good for us.

Of all the other bids, only St. Louis has its stadium plan set. Miami has a temporary plan to play in a college football park, Ottawa has pretty plans but no approval, Atlanta...God only knows what Atlanta's plan is at this point and Portland has to figure out a way to build a baseball diamond before it can get down to business.

So no one is really hitting it out of the park (use of that cliche is dedicated to Portland!). But, still...

I suppose it's better to have some kind of approved plan rather than nothing at all, but this just doesn't inspire confidence that there will be a second Canadian MLS team in 2011.

The Buzz at the combine

Just a quick entry to direct readers to 3rd Degree, where author Buzz Carrick, one of the best MLS bloggers going, is taking in the combine for the fifth straight year.

As stated, Carrick is great MLS guy, but he's especially good writing about prospects. So, this is his element.

Give it a read.

It's Miami. Just ask them.

Of all the expansion candidates Miami continues to be the most self-assured. Hell, even other parts of Florida are anointing Barca-Miami as a sure fire can't miss. Forget about reporting on expansion chances. Just jump right into DP speculation.

Because you can never do this enough, let's review:

• Poor history of MLS support
• Poor history of pro sports support
• God awful climate for playing soccer in the summer
• Arrogant foreign interests with no understanding of MLS rules
• Half-baked plan to affiliate team with big European club
• U-Sector bus trips to South Beach
  

Actually, maybe it is a good idea...

Or not.

Another DP bites the dust.

Claudio Lopez is no longer a DP. However, the Argentine will return to Kansas City in 2009 with a reduced contract.

Several reports have put Lopez' salary at a little more than $200,000 for this coming season. That's about $600,000 less than he received in 2008 and about half the cap hit. It's a great move by the Wiz, who maintain the services of a player that was good, but not DP good in '08.

It's being suggested that KC may now use some of the money that was freed up to target a big time forward, possibly to fill the now vacant DP slot.

The 24th Minute talks the talk

If you didn't catch today's It's Called Football, where some pudgy guy wearing a toque rambled on about nothing of importance, you can have a look now.



But seriously...Ben, Ben and Chantelle are doing a great job of producing a quality, entertaining program that fills a badly needed niche. The Fan590's Soccer Show is great as a mainstream program, but it can't afford to be as hyper-focused on the domestic side of things as ICF is. If you've yet to give it a listen, do so now.

American listeners should give it a chance as well. Although there is a lot of Canadian talk, there are few programs that look at MLS this closely. Yes, most of the talk is TFC focused, but it's still worthwhile.

Example 1,254 of how others get it far more than the CSA

The final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying starts Feb 11. As we all know, the Canadian national team will be sitting at home for the third, inexcusable, cycle in a row. Although there was apparently an improvement in how the CSA dealt with the players this time around -- better accommodations, more comfortable transportation -- the organization still doesn't go far enough to provide the team with the best possible chance of winning. Other countries go so much further

Look at the USSF. Granted the chance to host Mexico on that opening day, US officials decided to look for the greatest on-pitch advantage they could create for the players. Which is why the warm weather Mexicans will be in Columbus, Ohio in the middle of winter. The start time of the game by the way? In the dark, at 7 p.m.

If the USSF had asked the CSA for suggestions on where to hold the game, the answer probably would have been San Antonio. You gotta maximize the gate, make sure visiting fans are welcomed and can get their hands on lots and lots of tickets.

As stated, there was an improvement. The CSA worked with the Voyageurs to create a supporter's section and some there seem to understand the importance of giving the team every chance to succeed. But,there is just so much further to go.

Mixed news for Philly

It looks like a suburban Philadelphia council will approve a plan to put $30 million worth of bonds on the market Thursday in an effort to fund the soccer specific stadium in Chester, Pa. However, not everyone involved is onside yet.

In an article published in the Delaware County Daily Times, Councilman Andy Lewis said that he would be voting against the proposal. He said that he would not invest "put even $1,000 into a project, let alone $30 million, without first taking a look at audited financial information."

Apparently MLS has not provided him with audited financial statements that prove that the league is in good health. He's worried that MLS could go the way of the NASL, thus leaving Chester with a soccer stadium without a team.

It's sky-is-falling times now. MLS isn't close to folding, but as long as the economy continues to crash,and the league plays soccer, there will be people convinced that it's doomed. A lot has changed since 1984, but many anti-soccer attitudes remain strong.

It does appear that the votes are there to get the plan passed. However, there are few things as powerful as the angry taxpayer. Philly fans will be holding their breath until the bonds hit the market.

JDG is the tops

I think that it's only in Canada that you would see an athlete named the best in his or her sport two days after they called the national body of that sport a cancer.

But, so it is.

Julian de Guzman was voted Canada's best by a poll of A and B class coaches and the Canadian soccer media (So Gerry Dobson and Nigel Reed, I guess).

Whatever. As I've said here already, my pick was Rob Friend, but the truth is no one in Canadian soccer really jumped out in '08. And de Guzman did have a great 07-08 season at Deportivo La Coruna, so why not. Ultimately, it's good for Canadians to learn that we have a player staring in La Liga.

Sounders shopping No. 1

“There have been some nice things put on the table so far, and I think it’s only going to get maybe better for us. Other teams are desperate for that No. 1 spot.” - Sounders technical director Chris Henderson

The Tacoma News-Tribune is reporting that the Sounders are willing to give up the No. 1 pick in the draft. If they are successful it could have implications to the value of Toronto's No. 2 selection, so TFC fans should watch this story closely.

The question here is should Seattle part with the valuable pick. This is seen as a deep draft and the right selection can set a team off on the right foot (although Mo Edu is in Scotland now, it's his allocation money that is allowing Toronto to aggressively look to improve this off-season).

Then again, the Sounders have done things a little different from the get-go. Wisdom suggests that an expansion team should avoid signing a DP (especially one that is injury prone...), but that didn't stop Seattle. Marching bands aren't generally involved. Clubs owners don't typically wipe their ass with the team's scarf. Like I said, different.

Man they must be hard up for guests

The Internet radio program It's Called Football must be really desperate for guests because I just found this release:

Just a quick reminder to check out our show with Ben Knight and Chantelle Junker, Saturday, Noon over at ThatChannel.com.

If you miss the live show because of a Friday night hangover, the video will be up at by 5 pm. You can watch last week's show here

Also, we've got some guests coming through over the next few weeks.

Saturday, Jan. 10. 2009
Duane Rollins from the 24th Minute will be stopping by to talk about Dwayne DeRosario and everything else making news in the world of soccer this week.

Saturday, Jan. 17. 2009
Sean Keay from MLSDraft.net will be flying back from the draft in St. Louis to join us with all his observations on the happenings.

Saturday, Jan. 24. 2009
John Molinaro from CBC Sports will come through to give us his take on the world of football.

Let us know who you would like to see on the show.

Soccer by Ives? Someone from the Voyageurs? The CSA?

Post in the comments or email me at ben.rycroft(@)metronews.ca

Apparently it's video streamed, which means I'm going to have to shave. Remember, the camera adds 35 lbs.